The NAHB 50+ Housing Council is excited to announce the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation, the first national designation specifically for active adult housing professionals. 

With a record-breaking number of people turning 55 every day, the active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future.  The purpose of the CAASH designation is to give housing professionals serving this burgeoning market the essential knowledge, tools and skills that will help them succeed.    

As part of the CAASH designation, The NAHB University of Housing is completing a series of educational courses, which a candidate must successfully complete in order to apply for the designation.  These courses currently cover research and trends, design, and sales and sales training, with additional courses in the pipeline.

For a limited time, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council is inviting those individuals who have achieved a high level of experience and expertise in the active adult housing area to apply to be grandfathered as a Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing.  The educational requirements will be waived for qualified grandfather candidates; however, grandfather candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum of 10 years experience in the 55+ housing field; and
• Provide evidence of 80 elective credits.  Elective credits are given for numerous accomplishments, including education, work experience (beyond 10 years), teaching or speaking experience, publishing, awards, and industry service.

An induction ceremony and dinner recognizing and honoring the first grandfathered CAASH designees will be held at the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fla., on Monday, Feb. 5.  In order to be grandfathered as a CAASH designee at the 2007 IBS, candidates must apply by Friday, Dec. 15.* 

To apply for grandfather status, please go to www.nahb.org/CAASHinfo.  If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154 or email CAASHinfo@nahb.com.

We look forward to welcoming our first CAASH designees, and hope that you are one of them!

*The CAASH Grandfather program will run until Dec. 1, 2007.  After Dec. 1, 2007, all candidates must apply for the designation under the regular program requirements, which will be rolled out in 2007. [Return to top]