Seniors Housing Takes Center Stage At 2005 IBS
Is there any doubt that the 50+ seniors housing market is hot? Look no farther than the upcoming International Builders' Show. IBS, slated for Jan. 13-16, at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, FL, will feature more than a dozen education programs on various seniors housing topics.

Builders, developers, architects, and designers shouldn't miss Designing for the Active Adult, a new preconvention course offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12. Find out how you can increase your business by designing homes and communities to better meet the needs of the growing active adult population. By 2010, there will be 77 million people ages 50 and older in the United States, comprising diverse market segments defined by lifestyle, community, amenities, and product design preferences. This one-day course will cover design considerations for single-family and multifamily housing.

Attendees can receive continuing education credit toward their CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, MIRM, and CMP designations. Cost is $150 for NAHB Seniors Housing Council members, $175 for NAHB members, and $225 for non-members. To register, contact NAHB's University of Housing, Office of the Registrar, at 800-368-5242 x8338 or e-mail registrar@nahb.com.

Other can't-miss education programs at the 2005 International Builders' Show include:

• Reinvention of the Building/Housing Market: Boomers and Beyond. If you weren't at Building for Boomers & Beyond 2003 in Indian Wells, CA, you missed hearing Mark Goldstein of the Impact Presentation Group, whose keynote address and multimedia extravaganza was the highlight that year. Back by popular demand, Goldstein, a San Ramon, CA-based researcher and one of the nation's foremost experts on boomers, will share how the country's unprecedented demographic shift could mean lucrative opportunities for builders. Goldstein's session will position you for success with this market. Following his presentation, Goldstein will answer questions in the Seniors Housing Council's Hospitality Suite.
• The President's Forum: Lessons Learned, Mistakes Made in Active Adult Community Development. Three experienced active adult builders and a land developer will discuss their experiences and point out what works, what doesn't, and how to anticipate these buyers' needs. Housing legend Bill Becker of the William E. Becker Organization, Teaneck, NJ, will moderate the session. Presenters include: Al Garfall, D.R. Horton-SGS, Mount Laurel, NJ; Robert Karen, Caruso Homes/Symphony Development, Crofton, MD; Tim McCarthy, Traditions of America, Philadelphia, PA; and William Slenker, Slenker Land Corporation, Burke, VA.
• Tournament of Champions Seniors Sales Rally. Four veterans unlock the secrets of selling to today's active adult buyers with proven tactics, techniques, and solutions. This session will help you gain the edge over the widening competition to help profit-minded builders reach their sales goals. Manny Schatz of PBS, Inc., Danville, CA, is the moderator. Presenters include: Charles Clarke III, MIRM, Charles Clarke Consulting, Gainesville, GA; William A. Glass, The Power Sales Seminar, San Leandro, CA; and Bob Schultz, New Home Specialist, Boca Raton, FL.
• What Women Want: The Influence of the 55+ Buyer — “We're Not Going Away." With the 55+ population now the country's fastest-growing demographic, builders should understand the power senior women have in the home buying process. Do 55+ women fit the existing stereotype, or has age created a different buying mentality? This fifth-anniversary session of What Women Want will take a closer look at women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond to show what makes them buy. Speakers include Doris Pearlman, Possibilities for Design, Denver, CO; Jill Shannon, Serrano/Parker Development Company, El Dorado Hills, CA; and Bill Parks, PDC Parks Development Consulting, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ.

Make your plans to see these exciting programs and participate in other Seniors Housing Council activities in Orlando! Register online for the 2005 International Builders' Show. Sign up by Dec. 17 to take advantage of the discounted rate.

Best of Seniors Housing Awards Deadline Coming Up Nov. 5
Want to be recognized for your company's design and marketing excellence? There's still time to enter the 2005 Best of Seniors Housing Awards competition. The NAHB Seniors Housing Council has extended the deadline to Friday, Nov. 5, giving you a few extra weeks to prepare your winning entries.

If you're proud of your community's overall design, home design, clubhouse, or interior design, don't miss out!. This program features dozens of design categories for active adult, assisted living, continuing care retirement community, congregate care community, mixed use, multifamily, special needs housing, renovated seniors housing, and aging in place. For sales and marketing pros, the Council has added all-new marketing categories ranging from logo and community brochure to special promotions and radio/ television commercial.

Check out the Call for Entries for a description of categories and requirements. E-mail Janice Coyle or call her at 800-368-5242 x8386 for more details.

The Council will recognize platinum, gold and silver winners in a special multimedia presentation at the 2005 International Builders' Show. The awards luncheon will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. Tickets are $70 per person or $650 for a table of 10. E-mail Eucklan Matthews or call 800-368-5242 x8220 to RSVP. [return to top]

Fall Board Recap: President Bush Addresses NAHB, Builders
On a campaign swing to the battleground state of Ohio, President George W. Bush dropped by the NAHB Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Columbus, OH, on Oct. 2 to thank the housing industry for helping to lead the economic recovery and to discuss the ongoing efforts of his Administration to increase housing opportunities for the workforce, minorities, and others.

It was the first time a sitting U.S. President spoke in person to the Board of Directors since George H.W. Bush invited the group to visit the White House Rose Garden in 1992. Nearly a decade earlier, Ronald Reagan addressed the group in 1983.

“It reflects very well on housing’s importance to the nation that the President was able to make time in his busy schedule to come and speak to us just one month to the day before the election,” said NAHB President Bobby Rayburn. “It also reflects well on our ongoing outreach efforts to both candidates in this important election year. NAHB has done everything possible to elevate housing as an issue in the presidential campaign.”

In his remarks, President Bush reiterated his commitment to making housing more affordable through several legislative proposals that NAHB supports — including a new homeownership tax credit, zero-downpayment mortgages, and association health plans that would enable small companies to provide affordable health coverage to their employees. Bush also had sharp words on regulatory reform, saying:

“I understand that the regulatory barriers at the federal, state, and local levels can add as much as 35% to the cost to the homes,” he said. “In order to make sure there are more affordable homes, we must remove the regulatory barriers on our home builders.

"I understand there’s a need for sensible regulation, but when you have overlapping regulations that send confusing signals, when you have the federal government, the state government, the local governments creating obstacles for home building, it is time to reduce those regulations.”

Following the address, Rayburn met briefly with President Bush. “After he said to me, ‘We really need to break down these barriers,’ I assured the President that we’ll do everything we can to help him accomplish this,” he said.

A complete transcript of the President's remarks is available on the White House Web site. The event attracted widespread media coverage by major outlets such as CNN, CBS, NBC, CNBC, and Fox, as well as many others.  [return to top]

Seniors Housing Council Drives Key Advocacy Issues
The NAHB Seniors Housing Council is addressing two major policy issues in the seniors housing arena —  FHA insurance for age-restricted 221(d) (4) communities and Fair Market Rents (FMR) for assisted living residents. NAHB has committed staff resources from its Housing Policy Department to help the Council pursue both issues. The Council also is laying the groundwork to become involved in the 2005 White House Conference on Aging in Washington, DC.

FHA Insurance for 221(d) (4) Age-Restricted Elderly Housing
Prior to the NAHB Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Columbus, NAHB President Bobby Rayburn created a task force to address HUD's denial of FHA insurance to age-restricted 221(d) (4) communities. The task force will do its work and report back to the NAHB Executive Board by the 2005 International Builders' Show. The task force will analyze the full range of issues related to providing FHA insurance for age-restricted elderly housing and will develop recommendations for NAHB's response to HUD's policy shift.

The task force supports a three-step approach that will:

1. Explore the options of making the Section 231 program a flexible financing opportunity
2. Pursue policy to allow FHA insurance for age-restricted elderly housing under the Section 221(d) (4) program and elevate the discussions to the HUD secretary level
3. Form an industry-wide coalition and seek a legislative solution that would specifically permit FHA insurance for 221(d) (4) age-restricted elderly housing

Section 8 Fair Market Rent Vouchers for Assisted Living Facilities
NAHB also will work with HUD to establish higher Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for assisted living facilities (ALFs). NAHB contends that FMRs are too low in many communities to permit the use of Section 8 vouchers in ALFs and that the problem arises because rents (not including payment for services) typically are higher than in standard rental units due to higher construction and operations costs.

HUD, which bases FMRs on rental charges associated with construction costs and not services, has asked NAHB for evidence documenting the cost differences between traditional rental housing and assisted living housing. NAHB has identified builders and developers who will share their construction costs to demostrate the higher costs for building assisted living facilities.

NAHB and the Seniors Housing Council planned a focus group at the Fall Board Meeting to review the construction costs, but the meeting was cancelled due to President Bush's visit. A conference call has been scheduled to discuss the issue.

White House Conference On Aging
NAHB and the Seniors Housing Council are making plans to be involved in next year's White House Conference On Aging. Mandated by the Older Persons Act to be held every 10 years, the upcoming conference will take place Oct. 23-26, 2005, in Washington, DC. A 17-member Policy Committee, appointed by the President, sets the conference's agenda and goals. The Policy Committee includes four subcommittees (Community, Social Issues, Health, and Finance), with housing falling under the Community umbrella.

Seniors Housing Council Trustee Barbara Kleger of Senior Living Consultants in Philadelphia, PA, has been involved in caucus and pre-conference planning activities and is working with national seniors advocates focusing on housing and health. Kleger proposed that NAHB and the Seniors Housing Council become involved in a national caucus program that examines key seniors issues such as housing. The Council's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to propose to the Senior Officers that NAHB explore appropriate avenues for the association's participation in pre-conference activities. An initial meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Washington, DC, to discuss processes, administrative issues, and strategies for implementing a national caucus.

For more information on advocacy issues or the White House Conference On Aging, e-mail Leslie Marks or contact her at 800-368-5242 x8235.  [return to top]

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Joins SHC Sponsors
The NAHB Seniors Housing Council is pleased to announce Wells Fargo Home Mortgage as its new Premier Sponsor for 2004-05.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is the latest company to become a "Jewels of the Industry" Sponsor. Villas of America and 55 and Better have supported the Council the past few years as Exclusive Crown Jewel Sponsors. Del Webb is the Elite Sponsor, while ProMatura Group, LLC, Mature Living Choices, and Standard Pacific Homes are Diamond Sponsors.

The Seniors Housing Council thanks its sponsors for their ongoing support of the Council's programs and events. Check out the complete list of sponsors. To find out how to become a sponsor, check out the sponsorship brochure or e-mail James Boston or call 800-368-5242 x8208. [return to top]

Harvard's Belsky: Seniors Housing Design = Good Design
The seniors housing industry is changing the way consumers and builders view design, according to Eric Belsky, executive director for Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Speaking at the Multifamily/Seniors Conference on Oct. 20 at the Holiday Inn in Tysons Corner, VA, Belsky identified 20 trends and challenges pertaining to the seniors housing industry.

Among the new trends, Belsky said there has been a shift in the perception of seniors housing design, with many design features becoming part of the mainstream. "Design for seniors has simply become good design," said Belsky, who listed first-floor master bedrooms, better lighting, lower light switches, wider hallways, and no-step entries as examples. He predicted that universal design would continue to win market acceptance.

Among the other future trends, Belsky noted that:

• More seniors will be searching for second homes, which could become their primary home after retirement — for those boomers who actually do retire. Builders should keep this in mind when building and designing homes and communities.
• Products that have been part of the medical service chain will become more acceptable, such as elevators, comfort-height toilets, and grab bars. "A lot of these products don't look 'senior' any more," said Belsky, adding that builders shouldn't "hard-sell" these features.
• The look of age-restricted communities is changing. While most of the product has been own-occupied, single-family and detached, multifamily communities (especially rental) are gaining more appeal.
• The "closer-to-home" trend will continue, with most seniors wanting to be relatively close to their children and grandchildren. That bodes well for markets not traditionally known as retirement destinations. 

Belsky identified the biggest challenges builders face as 1) what to do with Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), 2) how to negotiate with homeowners associations (HOAs) during the transition, 3) meeting the growing demand for seniors to "age in place," and 4) the uncertainty involved with Social Security, pensions, and medical care.

But Belsky said the future of the industry is bright, with today's seniors healthier, living longer and wanting communities that enhance their active lifestyles. Many are wealthier and prefer more expensive homes, as evidenced by the escalating mortgage debt for people ages 55 and older.

"Home is still a person's castle," Belsky said. "People may accept a smaller home, but maybe not less expensive. Many are looking for high-end."  But Belsky also mentioned that builders must not neglect the needs of less affluent seniors, who comprise a large share of the market.

Check out Harvard's State of the Nation's Housing 2004 for more information on the housing industry.

The Multifamily/Seniors Conference was presented by the Maryland/National Capital Building Industry Association and the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. [return to top]

Seniors Housing Council Hits Membership Milestone
The seniors housing industry is growing — and so is the NAHB Seniors Housing Council. The Council achieved a milestone, hitting the 1,000-member mark for the first time in the organization's recent history. Currently, the Council has 1,100 members, including 320 local Seniors Housing Council members. 

There are many reasons for the Council's expansion, including a focused grassroots membership campaign and the development of new local Seniors Housing Councils. At NAHB's Fall Board of Directors Meeting, the Council's Board of Trustees approved the addition of a new local SHC in the Gold Coast Builders Association in Florida, bringing the number of locals to nine. Plans are in the works to launch new locals in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and Central Arizona (Phoenix) at the 2005 IBS.

The Council has had other supporters who helped us reach this milestone. Among them are Bill Becker of the William E. Becker Organization and Barbara Kleger of Senior Living Consultants, who purchased five complimentary “gift” memberships and subscriptions for their clients. Becker and Kleger recommend buying colleagues or clients a free one-year Council membership — it's the perfect way to introduce them to the Council and educate them about the industry.

If you have any prospective new members or want to help in the Council's membership recruitment efforts, e-mail Jeff Jenkins or contact him at 800-368-5242 x8292. [return to top]

Local Council Update: Northeast Fall Symposium And More
Builders, developers, architects and other seniors housing professionals will examine New England’s burgeoning active adult and age-targeted housing market as well as national trends at the first-ever Northeast Regional Fall Symposium: Keys to Success in the 50+ Market. The symposium will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 3-4, at the Gillette Stadium Conference Center in Foxboro, MA.

Sponsored by the 50-Plus New England Housing Council, one of the NAHB Seniors Housing Council’s local councils, the symposium will feature regional speakers from the six-state area as well as nationally recognized industry professionals who will discuss how to attract today’s mature consumers to New England, one of the country’s up-and-coming active adult markets.

“In the past, seniors would migrate to warm-weather states such as Arizona and Florida upon retirement, but more of them are staying closer to home,” said Jane O'Connor, co-chair of the 50-Plus New England Housing Council, managing editor for Mature Living Choices and CEO of 55 Plus, LLC, in Hawley, MA. “New England exemplifies this national trend, with dozens of active adult communities springing up from Connecticut to Maine. The market demand is there, and builders are starting to respond to it.”

The Northeast Regional Fall Symposium will show builders how to meet this demand with marketing, merchandising, community design, and community amenities. The two-day conference will include eight sessions covering topics such as planning issues, branding and marketing, marketing technology, and effective merchandising techniques.

The cost is $195 for 50-Plus New England Housing Council members and $295 for all other attendees. Register online or e-mail Catie Ruggiero, Builders Association of Greater Boston, or call her at 617-773-1300 for more details.

In other local Seniors Housing Council news:

• The Seniors Housing Council of the HBA of Metro Denver will hold its all-day symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Heritage Eagle Bend in Aurora, CO. The event will feature six programs and a tour of Heritage Eagle Bend's model homes and sales and community center.  Attendees can sign up for the full day or a half-day session. Contact: Tammy Emerson, 303-778-1400 x305.
• The Metro Harrisburg Seniors Housing Council will participate in the HBA of Metropolitan Harrisburg's Builder/Remodeler Expo, a one-day trade show to be held Thursday, Nov. 18, at The Giant Center in Harrisburg, PA. Contact: Linda McMasters, 717- 717-232-5595.
• The 50+ Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association will hold its next education program and meeting Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Crowne Plaza Ravina in Atlanta, GA. Featured speaker Tracy Lux of Trace Marketing, Inc., Sarasota, FL, will discuss marketing to today's active adults. Contact: Diane Miller, 770-938-9900.

National Aging In Place Week Activities Set In 20 Cities
The Aging in Place Council will commemorate National Aging In Place Week on Nov. 7-13 with activities in more than 20 cities nationwide. In addition, the governors of Vermont and South Dakota have issued proclamations commemorating Aging In Place Week in their respective states.

Organized by the National Reverse Mortgage Lender’s Association (NRML) and the Aging In Place Council, which is supported by the NAHB Remodelors Council, NAHB Seniors Housing Council and NAHB Research Center, National Aging In Place Week has two objectives:

1. Build lasting coalitions of allied business professionals in communities across the U.S. to assist homeowners with pursuing their long-term care needs, and
2. Organize educational activities to highlight programs and support services — including healthcare, transportation, and housing — that enable seniors to successfully age in place.

Both objectives tie in nicely with the event's theme, "Fostering Collaboration to Facilitate Aging In Place." National Aging In Place Week satellite events demonstrate that collaboration at work among senior service providers. Event leaders recognize that drawing expertise from various disciplines is the key to successful events.

To learn more about National Aging In Place Week, contact Darryl Hicks, Aging In Place Council, at 202-939-1784 or Louis Tenenbaum, Independent Living Strategist, at 301-983-0131. [return to top]

Around the Industry: Universal Design In Minneapolis, Urban Seniors, Luxuria

Elsewhere around the industry:

• City living is enticing Chicago-area seniors to leave suburban sprawl behind for the excitement of downtown, according to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune. Tracy Cross, president of Schaumberg, IL-based Tracy Cross & Associates, estimated that 30% of people moving into the city's central district are ages 55 and older. These empty-nesters and seniors are moving into downtown lofts and high-rises, often replacing the many young couples who are exiting the city in search of better schools and single-family homes. Predictably, these seniors are attracted by Chicago's lakefront, the walkability of the city and lifestyle. In the article, Andy Kochera, a senior policy advisor for AARP, notes that large cities must work to prepare their central cities for these "urban seniors" and deal with issues such as older housing stock, perceptions that cities aren't safe, and affordability.
• Boca Ocean Development LLC, an Aventura, FL-based developer, has announced plans to build an oceanfront condominium in Boca Raton that will bring the most expensive condominium units ever to South Florida. According to an article in the Broward Metro Edition of the Sun-Sentinel, the company will build the project — aptly called Luxuria — on a 2.5-acre site of an aging condominium that will be demolished. The 10-story development, designed to appeal to local empty nesters and transplants from the Northeast, will feature 24 units with a price tag from $4.3 millon to $21 million. Three units will have private swimming pools, while other amenities will include two pools, a fitness center, a room with a catering kitchen, an outdoor bar and grill, and an pool/beach attendent. Buyers can opt in for membership privileges at the nearby Boca Raton Resort & Club.

E-mail Jeff Jenkins or call him at 800-368-5242 x8292 if you know of an interesting project in your area. [return to top]

Member Advantage: NAHB Members Save 15% on Payroll Processing with Paychex®
Paychex makes automated payroll efficient and cost-effective for any size organization.  NAHB members save 15% on payroll processing charges and setup fees for selected human resource services with Paychex®.  In addition to employee payroll checks and statements, Paychex® produces accounting records and management reports, tax payment notices, and payroll tax returns.

Put Paychex to work for you by calling 800-729-2439.  Identify yourself as an NAHB member and use Member Advantage code 5685. Or visit www.paychex.com.

For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to http://memberadvantage.nahb.org.

Or visit www.nahb.org to explore the full range of benefits associated with membership in your local, state, and national home builders associations. [return to top]