July 2020
Call for Action: Today's Cape Cod Commission Meeting at 3PM on Requiring NETZERO Building
Please help support a balanced approach to housing and the environment! If there is any way you can join the Cape Cod Commission meeting at 3 pm today, we need you to speak in support of housing and the environment by supporting the joint HAC and APCC request to postpone the vote on the climate action plan amendment for 180 days to allow for a full participatory process. Zoom meeting info is below. Virtual Meeting: Access Online or Via Phone - July 23 at 3PM https://zoom.us/j/96803820087?pwd=MitRTTdMczNsaTJKYzFKdTJoYk43Zz09| (929) 205-6099, Meeting ID: 968 0382 0087 A climate action group has submitted a petition to amend the county's Regional Policy Plan (the comprehensive plan for how the county grows) to include a bunch of climate action changes, including requiring projects to be net zero. We're working with a coalition of HAC and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod to request a postponement so the Commission and stakeholders can work on the proposal more.
New Home Sales Jump in May as Housing Continues Rebound
In another sign that the housing market is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 16.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 units in May, according to newly released data from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the April data was downwardly revised to a 580,000 pace, likely marking the low point of sales for the current recession. The April pace was 25% lower than the peak, pre-recession rate set in January. Sales were likely supported by price incentive use in April, with NAHB data indicating that two out of 10 builders used such business strategies. However, the use of price incentives eased in May, as median new home prices increased to $317,900, a gain of almost 2%, year-over-year. A new home sale occurs when a sales contract is signed or a deposit is accepted. The home can be in any stage of the construction process: not yet started, under construction or completed. Regionally, new home sales were up in all four regions: 6.8% in the Northeast, 9.5% in the Midwest, 0.3% in the South, and 1.4% in the West. The gains for new home sales are consistent with the NAHB forecast that housing will lead to an economic recovery.
COVID-19 Record Keeping FAQ
Earlier this week, Attorney General Maura Healey released her decision on the ban of future natural gas infrastructure. Healey disapproved the proposed Brookline bylaw and the ban setting a precedent for future potential bans.
COVID-19 Construction Industry Guidance
Governor Baker sent a letter to Legislative leaders announcing that he will extend the current eviction moratorium that expires on August 18th for an additional 60 days to October 17th. He will be doing so under the authority granted to him by Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020 that allows him to extend the moratorium in increments of up to 90 days at a time.
Brookline Natural Gas Bylaw Struck Down by Attorney General Healey
OSHA COVID-19 Resources
Governor Baker Extends Eviction Moratorium for an additional 60 Days
A Win on Infectious Disease Guidance The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a petition by labor unions, led by the AFL-CIO, to compel OSHA to issue an “emergency temporary standard” to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The court agreed with OSHA’s position that the agency should determine if a standard is necessary and that OSHA’s decision to issue nonbinding, industry- specific guidance rather than an enforceable rule to protect workers from COVID-19 was sufficient. NAHB had filed an amicus brief supporting OSHA's position.
NEC Code Adoption Kits Now Available The National Fire Protection Association last year issued its most recent edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). States are now in the process of adopting this most recent set of electrical codes. NAHB staff has reviewed the code changes and has made available the 2020 National Electrical Code Adoption Kit that identifies the significant changes that would most impact the home building industry.
New WOTUS Rule Now in Effect The “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR), which includes the Trump Administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), is now in effect. NAHB has posted resources to help builders and devel- opers make use of the new rule. Visit nahb.org/wotus for updated resources, includ- ing an analysis of the rule, a video on its implementation, and an overview that explains key features and changes compared to prior rules. FHFA and FHA Extend Moratoriums The FHFA has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend the moratorium on single-family foreclosures and evictions until at least Aug. 31, 2020. The morator- ium applies to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed single-family mortgages only. HUD announced that the FHA is also extending its foreclos- ure and eviction moratorium by two months through Aug. 31, 2020, for homeowners with FHA-insured single- family mortgages.
President Suspends H-2B Work Visas Citing job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump has issued a proclamation extending his existing ban on immigrant visas and further suspending work visas through the end of the year, including H-2B visas used by employers in the construction industry. As a result of the president's executive order, if NAHB members were expecting an H-2B worker and that person does not have a travel document and has not yet arrived in the Unites States, they will not be able to come this year.
NAHB Announces New Chairman of the Board
Office Reopening Guidance OSHA has issued guidance to assist employers reopening business offices and their employees returning to work during the evolving coronavirus pandemic. The guidance provides general principles for easing restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus through the use of phased reopenings. During each phase of the process, employers should continue to focus on strategies for basic hygiene, social distancing, identification and isolation of sick employees, work- place controls and flexibilities, and employee training. NAHB members are reminded to check with their state and local officials on occupancy and other restrictions. OSHA notes that all local and state orders should be followed before reopening begins.
At the conclusion of NAHB's recent Spring Leadership Meetings, Chairman Dean Mon informed the Board of Directors he would be unable to complete the remain- er of his term due to personal reasons and was resigning his chairmanship. Mon will continue to be an active member of the Federation, providing guidance to both NAHB leadership and members going forward. His leadership this year during the COVID-19 pandemic helped position the housing industry as an essential business that allowed NAHB members to continue working. Effective immediately, NAHB First Vice Chairman Chuck Fowke, a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla., will take on the duties of chairman. His chairmanship will continue through the 2022 International Builders’ Show, Feb. 8-10 in Orlando. Immediate Past Chairman Greg Ugalde will continue his duties as past chair during this same time period. Jerry Konter, of Savannah, Ga., will remain Second Vice Chair and Alicia Huey, of Birmingham, Ala., Third Vice Chair until the next senior officer election takes place at the 2021 Builders’ Show in Orlando on Feb. 11, 2021.
Charlie Cook Previews Election The race for the White House centers on President Trump, political pundit Charlie Cook told NAHB's Leadership Council during its spring meeting. “An incumbent president is a referendum election,” said Cook. “Do we want to renew his contract for four years? Yes or no. Usually the challenger has nothing to do with it.” Cook, who worked in NAHB’s political shop in the early 1980s and is editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, said that more than three-quarters of Americans strongly approve or disapprove of Trump and “there is just not a lot of ambivalence in between.”
Save the Date: Our Annual Nail Bangers Golf Tournament Wednesday, September 30 at Hyannis Golf (We are navigating and monitoring changing public health guidance so more information will be sent out separately confirming the date or if it needs to be postponed) Have an amazing remodel or home you want featured in our magazine At Home Cape Cod this Fall? Contact Scott Lajoie at scottlajoie@hotmail.com. Spots are limited so please reach out ASAP.
HB&RACC Announcements