This year’s conference, titled “What Inspires You,” offers key techniques to stay ahead of market challenges, keeping industry professionals informed, connected, and inspired.
Plenary sessions featured will address the most pressing industry issues:

Multifamily Market Forecast: Hear expert forecasting on apartment and condominium market performance over both the short and long term.
Speaker: Bernie Markstein, Staff Vice President, NAHB Economics

Multifamily State of the Industry: Leading executives from the for-rent and for-sale segments of the industry discuss current trends in the market and strategies for success.
Speakers: Bryce Blair, Chief Executive Officer, Avalon Bay Communities
                  Bill Donges, Chief Executive Officer, Lane Company
                  Dean Henry, President, Legacy Partners Residential
                  Connie Moore, President & Chief Executive Officer, BRE Properties
 
Multifamily Market Outlook: Get a comprehensive update of multifamily markets across the country.
Speaker: G. Ron Witten, President, Witten Advisors

For more information e-mail Sheronda Carr or call her at 800-368-5242 x8168. View full  conference information on this page.

Connelly Development and NAHB filed litigation in federal court in 2005 after the City of West Columbia took action to stop development of a multifamily rental project supported by the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The case was scheduled to go to court on Feb. 19, but the city chose instead to settle the litigation.

“Although I would much rather have just built the development without interference, I am pleased with this outcome,” said Kevin Connelly, president of Connelly Development. “Throughout this process, the NAHB litigation team has been right there with us. After all the time and effort we’ve put into this lawsuit, this is a very satisfying result. My hope is that municipalities across the nation will focus on the needs of all the residents in a community, focus on the qualifications of the developer and dismiss the preconceived notions of affordable housing that is being built today. Affordable housing has improved vastly over the last 20 years and these developments are an excellent example of that, given the chance.”

For more details, read the rest of the story in Nation’s Building News.

  [return to top]

Currently, OFHEO is requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to hold 30% more capital in addition to the minimum legal requirement. The higher capital requirements have constrained Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from responding more aggressively to address the liquidity problems in the mortgage markets and will also impede their ability to utilize the new freedom on portfolio investments.

OFHEO will consider gradually decreasing the capital surcharge, with reductions dependent on company financial health, market conditions and breadth of mission obligations.

View NAHB's press release here and the complete story at this link.


[return to top]

• NAHB Releases Study of Residential Construction Fatalities 

In an effort to determine the frequency, rates, and causes of fatal work-related injuries in the U.S. residential construction industry, NAHB commissioned independent third-party researcher Sciences International, Inc., to compile and present data from various governmental sources.

The findings showed that while the residential construction fatality rate, at 8.35 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees, was twice the rate for all private industry in the U.S., it  still was lower than the 11.59 rate for all construction employees.

Additionally, of the 4,777 work-related fatalities in the construction industry from 2003 to 2006, 3,232 were in non-residential projects, 1,385 were residential, and only 160 in multifamily projects. Nearly two-thirds of the residential fatalities were in specialty trades, most commonly the roofing trade.

To read the executive summary, or the full report, view this page on NAHB’s Web site.

• Review Group Wants to Hear from YOU

Builders are encouraged to submit comments by June 1 to update the “Residential Construction Performance Guidelines”— the industry's most widely accepted reference on how homes should perform.

The current RCPG, available through BuilderBooks.com, contains more than 300 guidelines in 12 major construction categories, including cabinets, cement board siding, concrete, countertops, drainage, driveways, drywall, landscaping, water infiltration and more. It was created for builders and remodelers to help them successfully manage customer expectations — and protect the bottom line — while delivering high-performance residences.

The RCPG work group, part of the Business Management and Information Technology Committee, is overseeing the development of the new edition of the guidelines. Members of various NAHB committees and councils were chosen to serve on the work group.

Any NAHB member can submit comments on the  guidelines to the work group through an easy online comment form on NAHB’s Web site.

The new edition of the RCPG is slated for publication in 2010. For more information about the review process, e-mail Joshua Nester at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8461.

  [return to top]

More local jurisdictions are considering inclusionary zoning as a strategy to address housing affordability issues, and many developers have been concerned that such a mandate to build affordable units in every development would drive up costs for the rest of their buyers. Three research projects, sponsored by NAHB, looked at such an approach in order to determine whether it helps solve the affordability problem, or makes it worse. The findings showed that in many cases, inclusionary zoning acts as a tax on developers and increases home prices.

One study looked at California locales, finding that while inclusionary zoning increased multifamily housing starts, single-family production dropped, and home prices rose, compared with communities without such laws.  Another study, of a Rhode Island community, showed that such zoning was not detrimental, and could be helpful if it were one piece in a large menu of affordability strategies.

To view all three reports, visit www.nahb.org/housingaffordability. For the press release view this page. For more information e-mail Blake Smith , or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583.

• Midwest Builders Show – Rosemont, Ill., March 12-13

What's the next trend? That is the question on everyone's mind these days. Don’t miss the multifamily design sessions at the Midwest Builders Show® & Conference 2008. The Show brings together manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors together with thousands of attendees from the eight-state Midwest region in an exchange of ideas, insight, and products. For more information and to register, visit www.midwestbuildersshow.com.

• Pillars of the Industry Conference & Gala–Colorado Springs, Colo., April 1-3
  Discounted Rates Expire Today!
  
  Join top-tier industry leaders at The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., on April 1-3, for an information-packed seminar program, including a new marketing track, as well as a full menu of networking opportunities. It’s NAHB Multifamily’s signature annual event, and one that the industry’s most influential leaders attend. For more information, including the full program, view this page. Call 800-368-5242 to receive the special registration rate, and call the Broadmoor directly for the NAHB discount on the hotel rate – today only!
  
• Green Building Conference – May 11-13

For contacts, tools and ideas that are good for both the environment and your bottom line, attend the National Green Building Conference in New Orleans – the only national conference targeted to green building for the mainstream residential building industry. Network with designers and suppliers, attend exceptional education sessions and develop the skills you need for profitable green building. For more information, and online registration, visit this page.

• Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium – May 19-21

The 50+ Housing Council will hold its annual Symposium in New Orleans, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. In addition, attendees can choose to make a difference by coming in a day or two early to participate in renovating an older family’s home, using green building techniques and materials. The project is a joint effort of the 50+ Housing Council, the Green Building Conference, and Rebuilding Together New Orleans. Any volunteer age 18 or older is welcome to participate.

For more information, a complete list of programs and seminars, or to register for the Symposium and additional events online, view this page.

• Spring Board of Directors Meeting – April 29-May 3

Join the most active and engaged NAHB members at the Hilton Washington Hotel in the nation’s capital as they meet to do the association’s business. For more information and a complete schedule, view this page.

And sign up for the Legislative Conference on April 30, in which hundreds of NAHB head to Capitol Hill en masse to speak with their Congressional representatives concerning issues vital to the housing industry. For more information, and to register, view this page.

•  A Women’s Guide to Home Buying Empowerment

Women make or direct 91% of home-buying decisions and are the fastest growing home-buying demographic. The new book, Trillion Dollar Women: Use Your Power to Make Buying and Remodeling Decisions, can assist your clients in making decisions about the largest investment of their lives. This practical, insightful guide empowers the reader to strategically craft the home that meets her unique lifestyle, personality, and life phase.

Visit www.BuilderBooks.com to learn more and to purchase this book. Enter the discount code FFTDW to receive free shipping.

• Free Expert Marketing Advice Online

Take advantage of three 1-hour online audio conferences on “ramping up sales in a slow market,” prepared by experts from NAHB’s Business Management department and its National Sales and Marketing Council. For more information, or to listen to the conference, view this page.