In a statement issued today, NAHB’s President Brian Catalde pledged that NAHB stands ready to work with the White House, Congress and federal regulators to seek solutions to alleviate the mortgage credit crunch, provide stability to the markets and help a rising number of home owners avoid default.

Next week, Multifamily Leadership Board Chairman Leonard Wood and first chairman Steve Patterson will be among a group of high production builders joining NAHB officers and staff when they met with Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke to discuss the current conditions in the housing and mortgage markets.

To listen, dial 877-344-7529. When prompted for the account number, enter 409059 followed by the # sign. Again, this replay will be available only until Sept. 11.

Last week, NAHB’s electronic weekly, Nation’s Building News, published a special issue on the credit crunch, including a complete rundown of the actions NAHB has already taken, and plans to take, to address the problem by working with legislators and regulators. Here’s the link to that issue.

Since that time, NAHB President Brian Catalde and CEOs from NAHB’s High Production Builders Council and Multifamily Leadership Board arranged to meet with Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke on Sept. 5 to discuss the state of the nation's housing industry and the possibility of a rate cut. NAHB also has been meeting with the rating agencies that downgraded mortgage-backed instruments and precipitated the turmoil on Wall Street, and will be meeting with investment banks that direct funds to the market to learn their views on ways to resolve the ongoing problems. Additional meetings are scheduled with the CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the week of Sept. 3. [return to top]

• DHS Issues Long-Awaited Rule on Employees’ Legal Status

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its long-anticipated rule on no-match letters. Effective Sept. 14, the rule will give employers and employees 93 days to resolve a “no-match” situation, in which letters sent annually by the Social Security Administration notify employers if 10 or more employee names and social security numbers do not match their W-2 submissions. The 93 days is considered safe harbor under the new rule.

If the discrepancy is not resolved within that time, the employer must fire the employee, or risk being charged with a hiring violation punishable by steep civil fines, or possible criminal prosecution. NAHB legal staff has drafted a detailed “No-Match Rule Compliance Checklist,” which can access at this link.

• NAHB Opposes Proposal to Limit Youth Apprentices on Construction Jobs

NAHB is opposing a new Department of Labor (DOL) proposal that would ban anyone younger than 18 from working on a construction site. The new proposal would eliminate the current provision that allows apprentices and student learners from working in non-hazardous construction jobs.

In its comments in a letter to the DOL last month, NAHB said such a proposal would have a significant negative impact on the residential construction industry by limiting career opportunities for youth workers and limiting access to the pool of workers in the residential construction trades—both of which would lead to a curtailing of the growth of the home building industry. It would also have a dramatic effect on programs such as the Home Builders Institute Job Corps and Project CRAFT student training programs. For more information on this issue, e-mail Rob Matuga, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8507.

There are two ways to comment:

• E-mail Carmel McGuire, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8207, to let her know you’d like to participate in a conference call within the next 2-3 weeks to comment on the draft from the perspective of the multifamily builder/developer.
• Submit individual comments to the Research center, using its Public Comment form. 

NAHB has been working with the International Code Council to create the new Standard, along with a consensus committee representing a broad spectrum of builders, code and government officials, energy experts, suppliers and industry consultants. One of the major challenges is ensuring that the standard can be applied to multifamily construction, and can be adapted regionally. . View additional information from the NAHB Research Center on the standard-writing process at this link. [return to top]

• Get an Early Start on your Pillars of the Industry Awards Entry

Past winners and other savvy marketers are already pulling their teams together to produce an award-winning entry to the 2008 Pillars of the Industry Awards, the multifamily housing industry's most prestigious honors. The annual awards spotlight excellence in more than 30 categories representing all facets of the multifamily housing industry: apartment and condo design, development, marketing, management and individual achievement. A distinguished panel of judges representing a broad range of expertise in these areas will judge the entries in January, 2008.

The Pillars awards are considered a showcase of future trends and innovation, and “they  showcase the best and most creative work in our industry," said Leonard Wood, chairman of NAHB's Multifamily Leadership Board and director of Wood Partners, in Atlanta.

Getting started early means you won’t miss the good-weather window for great photos of your projects! Go to this link and Apply Now!

• Working Safe—and Doing it Better than Anyone Else

NAHB is calling for entries for the 2007 Safety Award For Excellence (SAFE) , which recognizes builders who develop and implement high-quality construction safety programs, as well as those government officials and NAHB-affiliated associations who have made successful efforts to advance safety in the residential building industry. In last year's inaugural program, 19 winners in 16 categories were cited for their safety achievements. Apply to enter at this link.

• 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!  Take a friend to the show and hand them a free pass to the exhibit floor, available at this link. To register for the Show and for more information, please go to www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com.

• State & Local Government Affairs Conference, Austin, Texas  — Nov. 8-10

Attend the conference for a crash course in media relations, or an intensive intro to Green building, or an update from your colleagues on all the issues that HBAs are dealing with nationwide. And CNN commentator Paul Begala will be filling you in on the political scene with his keynote address. For more information, or to register online, view this link.

• International Builders’ Show in Orlando — Feb. 13-16, 2008

Early Builders’ Show information and online registration are now available. The closest hotels fill up first, so register, and reserve your spot soon!

Mention coupon code 58154442 when calling 800-274-2753 to register, and when placing a delivery order for $100 or more from Sept. 1-30, 2007.

During the promotion period, members will be directed to a special page via the Office Depot link on www.nahb.org/ma with complete details on this special offer, and information on how to take advantage of special savings from Office Depot throughout the year.

[return to top]