| February 9, 2009 |
By Joe Robson
NAHB Chairman and
Jerry Howard
NAHB President and CEO |
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The Senate's inclusion of a key home buyer incentive
within economic stimulus legislation marks a very positive development as more members of Congress acknowledge the need to address the housing crisis that is a primary cause of the nation's economic distress.
 On Feb. 4, the Senate voted unanimously to approve an amendment to its economic stimulus legislation that would expand the $7,500 home buyer tax credit up to 10% of the value of a new or existing primary residence, topping out at $15,000. The amendment also extends the availability of the tax credit through all of 2009 (expiring one year from the date of enactment), expands the pool of eligible takers beyond first-timers, and eliminates payback provisions. "It's time to fix housing first," said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), the amendment's primary sponsor and proponent. He noted that the U.S. economy will not recover until the housing market revives. Similar sentiments were expressed by Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who introduced a much broader housing and job stimulus amendment called the Fix Housing First Act that was also backed by NAHB but unfortunately failed to clear a procedural budget hurdle before it could be voted on. In yet another example of how our "Fix Housing First" message is resonating in Congress, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), who co-sponsored Sen. Isakson's successful amendment, issued a press release quoting Connecticut builder Greg Ugalde and citing NAHB statistics on how the home buyer tax credit would boost economic activity.
With the Senate expected to vote on its overall stimulus bill by this weekend, NAHB's top advocacy priority – significant expansion of the home buyer tax credit – will hopefully move yet another step toward achievement. Once passed in the Senate, the bill will go to conference to be reconciled with its House-passed counterpart, at which point NAHB will push hard to ensure that the $15,000 tax credit isn't watered down in the process. Stay tuned to this report and NBN Online for further developments. And to all those who have been writing, phoning and personally visiting your congressmen, keep up the great work – it is definitely making a difference! Contact: Greg Brown, x8421.
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ELGs could be costlier and more complicated than expected,
 said home builders and developers who attended a special presentation on this topic at the IBS in Las Vegas. Nationwide, the EPA anticipates that its proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) will add $2 billion per year to the cost of construction, with gains to the environment not yet clear. But builders believe the costs will be even higher and that the requirements could even cause environmental damage in some cases. Unfortunately, the court order prompting the new guidelines did not call for a cost-benefit analysis, so this could not be part of the EPA's proposal. The court order requiring the EPA to develop ELGs for the construction industry stems from a lawsuit filed by the National Resources Defense Council. After NAHB's and EPA's appeal of the court's decision failed in the Ninth Circuit, EPA was ordered to finalize a rule by the end of this year. NAHB is now preparing comments on this proposal, which are due Feb. 26. NAHB's staff is also preparing background information and talking points to encourage local HBAs to enlist state and local government officials to submit comments opposing the new proposal. NAHB has long held that successful erosion and sediment control measures – so-called Best Management Practices – are the best way for the construction industry to mitigate the effects of storm water discharges on nearby lakes and rivers. BMPs keep the rainwater that mixes with dust and dirt from leaving the construction site. Read more about this concerning topic in the Feb. 2 edition of NBN Online, or contact Ty Asfaw (x8124).
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Here's the very latest on mandated fire sprinklers...
 The NAHB Fire Sprinkler Strategic Response Task Force has completed the work of determining how builders can continue their efforts to keep expensive fire sprinkler systems as a consumer choice, not a mandate, for new one- and two-family homes. The task force was created after members of the International Code Council voted to include residential sprinkler requirements in the 2009 Edition of the International Residential Code. For more information on the task force report and recommendations, contact Construction, Codes and Standards Program Manager Steve Orlowski, x8303.
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NAHB actions on the green front following ANSI approval
of our National Green Building Standard last week include the following new and ongoing developments:
 HBA Teleconference
Helping HBAs understand the newly approved standard, how it integrates with local green building programs, and how it will affect home owners, elected officials and the building industry, NAHB hosted a free teleconference last week. About 80 of our local and state HBAs participated. Those who were unable to listen to the live call can access a full replay by calling 1-877-344-7529 and entering 427676 and the # sign when prompted for the account number. This replay will be available until 5:00 pm EST on Feb. 17. You can also direct any questions on the teleconference to Blake Smith, x8583. Questions on how your HBA can affiliate with NAHB's Green Building Program and on technical aspects of the standard should go to Kevin Morrow at x8375. Questions from home builder members about how the standard works can go to Chad Riedy, x8225.
Scoring Tool
The NAHB Research Center already has the online scoring tool for our new standard ready for single-family homes and has completed the certification for the first project. Online scoring tools for remodeling, multifamily homes and lot and site development will be up and running in a few weeks, but manual scoring tools are already available. Nearly 5,000 projects are in various stages of scoring at www.nahbgreen.org/.
Online Verifier Training
The online training for verifiers was updated to include materials on the ANSI National Green Building Standard as well as the NAHB Green Building Guidelines as of Feb. 3. There are now five modules that provide everything from an introduction to National Green Building Certification to a verifier exam. Note: Existing verifiers will have until March 31st to take the training and pass the test at no charge using a coupon. New prospective verifiers will be able to take training at their convenience, and then the exam, for the regular fee of $125. Contact: Jeff Taggart at jtaggart@nahbrc.org.
Media Teleconference
Putting a national spotlight on the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard for all residential construction work, NAHB held a media teleconference on Feb. 4 to explain the importance of this landmark achievement. Participating in the event were NAHB EVP for Advocacy Bill Killmer, NAHB Research Center President Mike Luzier, ICC Chief Operating Officer Dominic Sims, and home builder Don Ferrier from Fort Worth, Tex. Anyone wishing to listen to the teleconference after it has taken place can access a full replay by calling 1-877-344-7529 and entering 427664 followed by the # sign when prompted for the account number. This replay will be accessible beginning at 5:00 pm EST on Feb. 5 and ending at 5:00 pm on Feb. 19. Contact: Calli Schmidt, x8132.
Standard vs. Guidelines
Helpful information explaining the difference between the new standard and NAHB's Green Building Guidelines is available online here.
NAHBGreen Network of affiliated HBAs
The NAHBGreen network almost tripled in size when NAHB's National Green Building Program welcomed 35 new state and local home builders associations and their green certification and education programs this week. Read more here.
Ordering the new standard
NAHB members can pre-order the National Green Building Standard at BuilderBooks.com for a discounted cost of $31.95; retail price is $35.95.
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Heads up on I-9 immigration forms:
The Department of Homeland Security has delayed implementation of a revised Form I-9 until at least April 3. This form is used to verify the identity and work authorization of all newly hired employees. The delay means that all employers must continue using the current (old) edition of Form I-9. The revised form, the second in two years, was originally scheduled go into effect on Feb. 2. As currently written, the primary change to this revised form eliminates expired documents – such as expired passports and driver's licenses – from being used as proof of identity. However, the rule is now under review by the Obama Administration and may be subject to further modifications or withdrawn. In addition, Homeland Security has extended the period during which it will accept written comments on changes to the form through March 4. Contact: David Crump (x8491).
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NAHB will be well represented on a key OSHA committee
 now that longtime member Michael J. Thibodeaux has been invited to chair the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). This is the first time that an NAHB member will serve in this important capacity. The ACCSH advises the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health on setting construction standards and other policy matters affecting federally financed or assisted construction. Having a representative on this committee is critical to ensuring that home builders' viewpoints and opinions are taken into account prior to OSHA issuing construction safety regulations. Michael has been an active member of NAHB's Construction Safety and Health Committee for the past 14 years. He is the owner of a risk management and safety consulting business that serves the home building industry; previously, he had a 20+ year career with Lennar Corp. in Houston.
For those who might not know, NAHB provides our members with information, guidance and easy access to training resources to help them protect employees' health and safety. A variety of our safety resources and guidebooks is available at www.builderbooks.com/safety. For more on the above story, see NBN Online or contact Rob Matuga, x8507.
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February is NAHB National Designation Month,
 which means we're putting a spotlight on the importance of education for advancement in the home building industry. NAHB's University of Housing proudly offers 16 professional designation programs that help our members hone their skills, achieve career advancement and get the recognition they deserve for their expertise. For potential clients, your professional designation conveys the understanding that they can expect superior training, practical experience and in-depth knowledge when they contract with you. This month, NAHB will be stepping up our ongoing efforts to educate the public about the value of selecting building industry professionals who earn a designation. We'll also be building support for continuing education programs, and increasing recognition of the comprehensive training required to earn an NAHB designation. Find out how to participate in or promote National Designation Month by visiting www.nahb.org/ndm or by calling the Professional Designation Help Line at: 800-368-5242, x8154. You can also view all of the professional designations that are available through NAHB's programs here.
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Farewell to Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller,
 who passed away after a brief illness on Feb. 3. At 74 years of age, Millard had accomplished more than most could achieve in many lifetimes, with his greatest contribution being the founding of Habitat for Humanity International in 1976. By the organization's 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of people were volunteering with Habitat and more than 500,000 people were living in Habitat homes. Over the years, many NAHB members have participated in home building efforts through this very successful charitable organization. Millard was inducted into the NAHB Housing Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 1999, Builder magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in U.S. home building. Our hearts go out to his wife and four children at this sad time. Read more about Millard's remarkable life in the Feb. 9 edition of NBN Online, or on the Habitat for Humanity Web site.
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