The timing of this year’s Legislative Conference — which will take place six weeks earlier than the 2007 conference — is particularly significant considering the precarious condition of the housing sector and overall economy.

Builders are encouraged to travel to the nation’s capital and urge their representatives and senators to support policies that will stabilize the housing market, help reduce foreclosures, restore confidence in the credit markets and keep the economy moving forward.

Specifically, NAHB is urging Congress to:

• Provide tax credits and other incentives to stimulate home sales and help reduce the inventory of unsold homes.
• Extend the increase in conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to at least two years and link this effort to full GSE reform.
• Modernize the Federal Housing Administration so that it can provide loans for first-time and moderate-income home buyers who otherwise might not be able to find the financing they need.
• Allow businesses to carry back net operating losses for five years to save jobs and help weather the economic storm.
• Expand the mortgage revenue bond program to help strapped borrowers refinance existing home loans.
• Allow withdrawals from IRAs for the purchase of a first home.

The annual NAHB conference provides an ideal opportunity for association members to share their concerns on housing-related issues with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Especially in these challenging times, participation by NAHB members can make a huge difference as various interest groups compete to push their agendas in Washington.

A strong builder turnout on April 30 will certainly send a powerful message to members of Congress that housing must remain a top national priority.

For more information and to register for NAHB’s 2008 Legislative Conference, contact Molly Murray at NAHB at 800-368-5242 x8282.

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