Help Ensure Better Building Codes

Beginning in September, NAHB will send a series of emails to all Builder members that detail some important proposed changes in the next current cycle of building codes as International Code Council (ICC) officials prepare for the Final Action Hearings in Atlantic City, N.J. Oct. 2-10. These hearings will determine the final outcome of all 2,065 proposed code changes to the International Residential Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fire Code and others.

NAHB has already developed the 2015 ICC Code Development Action Kit – available to logged-in members and HBA staff.

Why the push? Many of the code change proposals, if approved, will drive the cost of building even higher with minimal corresponding benefit. Paybacks for some of the proposed “improvements” may never be reached during the average home owner’s occupancy – and others are just a way to codify the purchase of a particular product or brand. On the other hand, there are also proposals, such as those submitted by NAHB, which do need approval to lower upfront construction costs while still maintaining occupant safety and welfare.

NAHB is calling on all builders to reach out to their local code officials attending the hearings so they vote and testify in support of NAHB’s positions on the most critical code change proposals. NAHB is calling on EOs, as well, to reinforce this message to their members, and will provide templates to make the job easier.

Watch your email after the Labor Day holiday – and help NAHB help our members promote sensible building codes. For additional information, contact Neil Burning at 800-368-5242 x8564.

Tax Code Rewrite Threatens Homeownership, Rental Housing, and Our Industry

Act NOW!

Write Your Senators at:
www.CapitolConnect.com/BuilderLink

Tell Them:

It is critical that they preserve vital housing tax incentives like the mortgage interest deduction and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to create jobs and keep the economic recovery moving forward.

What’s at Stake:

The Senate is considering revamping the tax code which could ELIMINATE SOME OR ALL HOUSING TAX INCENTIVES. This could harm the bottom line of all residential construction businesses, depress home values, impose a tax increase on home owners and cause massive layoffs in housing and other industries.

Background:

The Senate Finance Committee recently announced it will consider comprehensive tax reform and initiate proceedings with a blank slate: no exemptions, deductions, or credits. Our industry must pull together to defend the mortgage interest deduction and other critical housing tax incentives.

Many of the tax reform proposals have suggested eliminating or reducing the mortgage interest deduction, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the capital gains exclusion for home sales and the deduction of property taxes, among others. This would DEVASTATE OUR INDUSTRY by depressing home values, which would put countless more home owners underwater and trigger a new wave of foreclosures and layoffs in our industry.

Urge Your Senators to:

Preserve important housing incentives (the mortgage interest deduction, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the capital gains exclusion for home sales, and the deduction of property taxes) in the tax code.

How to Contact Your Senators:

Write them at www.CapitolConnect.com/BuilderLink

Act NOW!