That assumption holds for builders using the 2003 and 2000 editions of the I-Code as well, which previously had received a HUD endorsement for Fair Housing compliance. The endorsement of the 2006 edition of the I-Code was particularly welcome, since many jurisdictions have already adopted that code and multifamily residential developments have been built to that code, even though builders had not been assured that the code complied with HUD’s Fair Housing requirements.

For more information, read NAHB's press release, e-mail Jeff Inks, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8547.

More than a new name and a fresh look, BuilderLink will do more to educate NAHB members about the issues that matter most to the housing industry, connect them to the Members of Congress who oversee these issues, and provide NAHB members with the materials and resources they need to convey the right message to Congress at the right time.  View more information here, or e-mail Molly Murray at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8470. [return to top]

In his June 7 address, Romney stressed his support for the mortgage interest deduction and called for the permanent elimination of the estate tax, tort reform and abolishing unnecessary regulations that hamper the ability of the economy to thrive and grow. “You create jobs, you create income. You are helping to build a better America and a freer and safer world,” Romney said.

Speaking before the NAHB Board of Directors on June 9, Thompson said that one of his goals if  elected President is to reform the tax code. “The mortgage interest deduction will never change in a Thompson administration. I know how important it is to your industry and how important your industry is for our country,” he said. On another issue of importance to the housing community, Thompson said that any immigration bill approved by Congress should ensure that contractors are not responsible for the legal status of their subcontractors’ employees.

This past February, Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), a Democratic candidate for the 2008 presidential election, spoke to our board during the International Builders' Show in Orlando.  NAHB, which is officially a nonpartisan organization, has formally invited all of those running for President in the next election to speak to our membership during meetings of the Board of Directors. The fact that Dodd, Romney and Thompson have all taken us up on the offer is a good indication of the stature that NAHB wields in Washington, and the respect that savvy politicians have demonstrated for our powerful membership [return to top]

The latest version, NWP 46, seeks to include upland ditches, and NAHB’s lawsuit seeks to curb such an overbroad interpretation of “navigable waters.” For more information, read NAHB’s press release, or e-mail Calli Schmidt, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132. [return to top]

This standard is the result of a cooperative effort between NAHB and the International Code Council, and is based largely on NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The program will be housed at the NAHB Research Center, and include a web-based certification system, along with other tools for builders and developers who want to build green. For more information, read NAHB’s press release, or e-mail Calli Schmidt, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132. [return to top]

• New NAHB Research Center Lab Puts Products through their Paces

The NAHB Research Center, one of the nation's leading housing research institutions, on June 5 announced the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art product testing laboratory and market research facility.
 
New capabilities supported by the 42,000-square-foot lab include large-scale thermal testing, acoustic performance testing, and two-story shear wall testing. It will allow the staff to simulate wind-driven rain and wind-blown debris on large-scale and whole house models. In addition, there is a 1,000-square-foot market research suite that will accommodate focus groups and roundtables with real-time observation capability. For more information on the facility, view the Research Center’s press release.

• FEMA Addresses Multifamily Earthquake Damage

FEMA’s not just about hurricanes and floods—it also deals with earthquakes, which can happen in places that aren’t even in California. The agency’s guide to Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of Multifamily Apartment Buildings isn’t brand new, but it is free, and available for download at this link.

• Resolutions on Affordable Housing, Brownfields

NAHB’s Board of Directors adopted eight resolutions at its Spring meeting. They included one addressing the need to change HUD policies in order to ensure long-term fiscal viability for affordable tax-credit rental housing, one speaking to the Army Corps of Engineers’ definition of “navigable water,” and one encouraging clarity in EPA’s brownfield cleanup regulations. Read all the resolutions on this page.

• NY State Endorses RAM Program for Real Estate CEUs

The New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) reports that the state regulators in the division of licensing services have endorsed NAHB’s Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) program as courses that would be acceptable as continuing education units (CEUs) for licensed real estate agents or brokers. Anyone completing the 40-hour RAM course would receive 22.5 hours worth of CEU credit. This was approved on May 17, and RAM courses are currently being scheduled at approved sites throughout the state. For more information, e-mail Barbara Carpenter at the NYSBA, or call her at 518-465-2492 x12.

• Affordable Housing Developer Granger MacDonald Receives Corletta Award

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NDC) named G. Granger MacDonald, a Texas affordable housing developer, as the 2007 recipient of the Robert J. Corletta Award for Achievement in Affordable Housing. As president of MacDonald Associates in Kerrville, Texas, MacDonald has led the development of thousands of affordable apartment homes for individuals and families earning 60% or less of an area’s median income. He has been a strong proponent of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the federal program that is the primary catalyst for affordable housing in this country.

Given jointly by NAHB and NDC, the award is named in honor of Robert J. Corletta, long-time executive director of multifamily operations at NAHB before his death in 1998. Corletta was recognized by his peers as a visionary in the affordable housing industry, particularly for his efforts supporting congressional passage of the Community Reinvestment Act. Presented annually, the Corletta Award pays tribute to individuals who have shown extraordinary creativity and dedication in advocating for advances in affordable housing. For more information, read NAHB’s press release, or e-mail Ann Marie Moriarty, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8350.

• BuilderBooks Offers Portable DVD Player Giveaway During Safety Month

June is Safety Month, and BuilderBooks is giving away a Zenith® Portable DVD Player, perfect for delivering “tailgate safety training” at the job site, or for your personal use. To enter the drawing, simply purchase a safety product or register on BuilderBooks.com® before June 30. BuilderBooks offers a variety of safety products, available in English and Spanish.
 
New Releases: 
"Fall Protection Video, English-Spanish” 
“NAHB-OSHA Fall Protection Handbook, English-Spanish” 
 “Home Builders’ Safety Program”
 
Best-Sellers: 
 “Jobsite Safety Video, English-Spanish” 
 “NAHB-OSHA Jobsite Safety Handbook, English-Spanish” 
 “NAHB-OSHA Scaffold Safety Handbook, English-Spanish” 
 “Toolbox Safety Talks, English-Spanish”
 
To order, visit www.BuilderBooks.com/Safety. To order in quantity, e-mail Jackie Barnes, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8588.

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• NAHB Files Suit over Costly New California Regulation
• Builders Support Federal Program to Meet Housing Needs of Disabled Veterans
• Maryland Home Builders Recognized for Leadership in Promoting Accessible Housing for the Disabled
• Newest Recipients Named to National Housing Hall of Fame
  
  
  
  

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• Pillars of the Industry Awards Entries Open — Aug. 1

Enter your firm's wonderful development, great marketing, or individual achievement in the multifamily industry's most prestigeous awards competition. Expect an announcement and a Web site link on August 1.

• Housing Credit Group Issues Forum — Sept. 5

“Clearing the Hurdles to Affordable Housing” is the theme for this year’s Issues Forum, to be held in Seattle in conjunction with NAHB’s Fall Board of Directors meeting. Expert speakers will address NIMBY attitudes and other concerns that can be a barrier to affordable housing. Anyone working with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to build or finance affordable housing can learn strategies for clearing these hurdles and moving projects forward.
 
Members of NAHB's Housing Credit Group receive discounted registration to this event. For more information about HCG membership, please visit http://www.nahb.org/hcg and join today! To register online for the Issues Forum, visit this page.

• Sunbelt Builder’s Show, Featuring Multifamily Speakers — Sept. 27-29

The 2007 Sunbelt Builders Show™ will be held September 27–29 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas/DFW. This year’s Show features two events designed specifically for the multifamily development community.  Start with an entertaining and valuable session on winning designs by Pillars Award-winners Stephanie Moore of Moore Design Group and Ron Harwick of James, Harwick + Partners Inc. These Dallas-based leaders in the multifamily industry will be sharing their wealth of design knowledge and experience. Don’t miss it on Thursday, September 27.

Then join colleagues for Sunbelt’s “Higher Densities, Higher Profits” Luncheon. Learn about innovative development solutions and marketing techniques from an expert, Spencer Stuart Jr. of Pillars Award-winning Legacy Partners Residential Development Inc. And don’t forget to visit NAHB’s Multifamily Council booth on the trade show floor!  To register for the Show and for more information, please go to http://www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com/.

• New NAHB Speaker Directory – Free to Members

Do you have something important to say to developers and builders? To consumers? Throughout the year, the University of Housing receives requests from a variety of sources seeking speakers on residential building topics. Monday, June 4, marked the launch of NAHB’s Online Speaker Directory. A listing is free to NAHB members, and there is a minimal fee to non-members.

NAHB members can visit www.nahb.org/speakermember and fill out the directory listing form. Non-members can visit www.nahb.org/speakernonmember, pay a small fee, and fill out the directory listing form. If you should receive calls from local associations, members or organizations you work with who are looking for speakers, please direct them to www.nahb.org/speakerdirectory.      

For more information, e-mail Ruth Bennett or call her at 800/368-5242 x8103.

• Dell Double Discount Program Returns in July!

NAHB members receive a substantial discount every month from Dell, as well help from a team of dedicated representatives who understand the industry’s business needs, and can help build a complete solution that’s right for each member. But  for the month of July, NAHB members can double their member discount by ordering from 7/01 to 7/31/07.

Normal discounts of 3%-5% will double to 6%-10%. This offer is part of the Member Advantage Program. Visit www.nahb.org/MA and click through DELL for complete details.

To maximize the Member Advantage Discount, use the following procedure: After you have made your selections and you are ready to purchase, call your dedicated Dell sales representative at 888-577-3355, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (CST) and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CST).  Your sales representative will apply your NAHB member discount to your order. NAHB members who have previously ordered from Dell also receive a monthly catalog, which includes this double discount offer.

Note: Double discounts do not apply to the preconfigured systems, which are already priced at up to 20% off.