NAHB is reviewing the legislative language in the STRIVE Act and looks forward to working with Reps. Gutierrez and Flake and other lawmakers in the House and Senate to advance legislation that overhauls our nation's immigration laws. The reform package should strengthen our economy, protect our borders, provide for an effective program targeted toward the future flow of immigrants into the U.S., create a fair and efficient employee verification system and establish a common-sense path for foreign workers to earn the right to apply for permanent legal status.

The Gutierrez-Flake plan contains language promoted by NAHB that stipulates that all employers are legally responsible and liable only for their direct employees and not their subcontractors. It would also require the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to develop a new system for employers to verify the legal status of new workers through use of a computer or telephone network. Under the bill, employers who hire new workers from the “future flow” of immigrants into the U.S. must be able to show that they are paying these workers a wage that is either the actual wage paid to a similarly situated worker, or the prevailing wage for that occupation. This represents a major victory for NAHB, which strongly urged lawmakers not to tie wages to Davis-Bacon  requirements.

The STRIVE Act would create a guest worker program that would allow illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before June 1, 2006, to stay in the country for up to six years, providing that they meet several requirements, including paying fines and back taxes, passing background and security checks and learning English. The legislation includes a “touch-back provision” that would require illegal immigrants to leave and re-enter the U.S. legally before becoming eligible for permanent legal status. The guest worker and legalization programs would not go into effect into the Department of Homeland Security certifies that progress has been made in securing the border.

To read the legislation, click here and type the bill number in the box in the center screen. For more information, see the March 26 issue of Nation's Building News or contact Jenna Hamilton at 800-368-5242, x8407.

“As we talk about how to make housing affordable, the key subjects are overly burdensome restrictions on land and anti-growth activism that prevent the building of affordable housing,” said Fernandez. “Yet there is hope. NAHB fights every day for the cause of housing affordability by knocking down the barriers to housing and advocating for programs that make housing available and affordable.” He noted that NAHB is working with members of Congress to revitalize and reform the Federal Housing Administration to ensure that home buyers have access to safe, affordable mortgage financing. To help the home building industry’s 2.5 million Hispanic workers learn to speak English and establish successful careers in the construction industry, NAHB, along with its workforce development arm, the Home Builders Institute, has developed an innovative learning program called “Sed de Saber-Construction Edition.”  For more information, see the March 26 issue of Nation's Building News or contact Jim Tobin at 800-368-5242, x8258. [return to top]

NAHB also indicated support for provisions in the bill that would prevent the expiration or termination of housing assistance payment contracts for multifamily housing properties assisted under Sections 8, 202, 811 and 236 that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At this time, Senate action on a companion bill is uncertain. After passage of the bill, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) indicated that he is currently assessing the best way to address the issue. NAHB will continue to closely follow legislative movements in the Senate. To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 1227 in the box at the center of the page. For more information, see the March 26 issue of Nation’s Building News or contact Scott Meyer at 800-368-5242 x8144. [return to top]

The legislation also clarifies that Housing Credit properties that are partially financed through emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars allocated to the Gulf Coast as part of the hurricane recovery effort will not have to reduce their Housing Credit basis.  Finally, on the single-family side, H.R. 1562 allows proceeds from Mortgage Revenue Bonds to be used to repair homes that sustained more than 25 percent damage in the storms.  NAHB has been weighing-in on these issues for several months and submitted testimony last week in support of extending the placed-in-service deadlines. The Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act of 2007 could see floor action next week. To view the bill, click here and enter H.R. 1562 in the box in the center screen. For more information, e-mail Greg Brown or call him at 800-368-5242, x8421. [return to top]

Prior to Gore’s appearance on the Hill, the House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), convened a hearing featuring testimony from some of the major coal-burning utilities about how they would address carbon emissions.  Nearly all of the panelists acknowledged a desire for a cap-and-trade program of some sort, but they varied on whom they thought should receive credits.  Most of the utility representatives also acknowledged a sharp increase in consumer energy costs would result from any cap-and-trade programs. NAHB continues to monitor this issue closely as the committees of jurisdiction prepare to draft their first round of comprehensive legislation.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has indicated she would like to move some form of climate change legislation by the July 4th congressional recess. For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Odina or call her at 800-368-5242, x8570. [return to top]