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FREDERICKSBURG AREA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
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Volume 4: Issue 7 July 2020
FREDERICKSBURG - STAFFORD - SPOTSYLVANIA - CAROLINE - KING GEORGE - ORANGE
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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 any economic recovery.
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.
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.
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
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.”
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.
CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE POSTERS AND RESOURCES TO HELP PROTECT YOUR EMPLOYEES, AND THE PUBLIC AT JOB SITES, AND WORK PLACES COVID-19 RESOURCES: CDC: Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings ASAE: Issue Roundup: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) World Health Organization (WHO) Virginia Department of Health (VDH) MPI: Coronavirus Resources for Meeting Professionals PCMA: What Business Events Professionals Need to Know About the COVID-19 Coronavirus IAEE: Coronavirus Resources Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) has issued two new posters notifying employees of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which must be posted or otherwise communicated to workers by April 1, 2020. The DOL recently made minor updates to the non-federal employee poster. Below, please find the revised posters: Non-Federal Employee Rights|Spanish Federal Employee Rights|Spanish
All FABA service area Countiy and City offices are now open to the public with limited contact and social distancing rules. Please call each county office before visiting to confirm specifics. All counties still recommend use of online services whenever possible.
July 1st has arrived and hundreds of new laws, passed during the 2020 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, become effective today. Included below are several resources for members of FABA and HBAV to learn more about the new laws related to housing, land-use, development, construction, environmental regulations, labor and other topics - and also some reminders about what bills did not become law this year. Building Industry Related Legislation Earlier this year, we shared the HBAV General Assembly Review. This documebt highlights over 50 of the 250 bills that HBAV sought to pass, defeat, or amend during the 2020 Session. As you will see, the General Assembly considered a wide array of legislation related to the single-family and multi-family residential land development and construction industry. Changes to Virginia Laws The Division of Legislative Services has released it’s annual In Due Course – 2020 Changes to Virginia’s Laws publication. This document is a selection of legislation passed by the 2020 Session of the General Assembly that is likely to affect the daily lives of citizens in Virginia. Tax Changes The Virginia Department of Tax has released the 2020 Legislative Summary which provides an overview of state and local tax legislation enacted by the 2020 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. Please review the Department’s overview here for any changes that may impact your personal or business tax liability. HBAV’s General Counsel, Williams Mullen, recently published an overview of Virginia’s new Wage Theft Law. “Virginia Wage Theft Law Brings New Duties and Steep Penalties for General Contractors”examines a series of bills signed by Governor Northam related to the non-payment of wages. These changes to Virginia’s wage payment laws significantly increase potential penalties against employers who fail to properly pay employees wages, and the laws also stack additional burdens on general contractors to ensure that their subcontractors are adhering to the law. This alert highlights several critical changes that Virginia employers – particularly those who work with subcontractors – need to know and be prepared for. Click here to read more.
2020 Virginia Legislative Update
The Associates Advisory Council meets the second Wednesday of each month at 9 am. This committee is chaired by the Associate Vice President and plans and organizes several FABA events, and keeps the association focused on the needs of all members.
Fredericksburg City Quarterly Meeting Friday, July 8th, 9 AM Click here for Zoom log in Spotsylvania County Bi-Monthly Meeting August 3rd, 3:00PM Click here for Zoom log in Spotsylvania County Builders Roundtable TBD Stafford County Bi-Monthly Meeting August 10th, 9:00AM Click here for Zoom log in Caroline County Quarterly Meeting TBD Orange County Quarterly Meeting TBD King George County Quarterly Meeting TBD
Calendar at a Glance
www.DominionEnergy.com
Upcoming County Meetings
We are working to schedule these events safely. Please save these dates: July 16th - Hard Hat Networking at MidSouth Building Supply 11001 Houser Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22408 August 29th - Crab Feast September 15th - Disc Golf October 1st - Parade of Homes Awards October 8th - Fall Golf November 5th - Annual Meeting FABA's first priority has been, and will continue to be, the safety of our members. Both on the job site, at the work place and at social events.
Thank you for your continued support of the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association and the Building Industry in Virginia.
Renewed FABA Members (June 2020) Renewed Builder Members CORELOT Hurst Homes, LLC Jarrell Properties, Inc John Robb Custom Homes, Inc Jon Properties Mitchell Homes, Inc Richmond American Homes, Inc Renewed Associate Members Allegra Marketing Print Mail Bankers Insurance BrandonbiltFoundations, Inc Embrace Home Loans Fireside Hearth & Home Jack’s Seamless Gutters MI Windows and Doors Riverside Brick & Supply Vulcan Materials Company Welford Engineering Associates
July 2020 Membership Report
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FABA works to educate, promote and represent the building industry while enhancing the region’s quality of life.
NAHB Student Chapters
FAB Foundation
The FAB Foundation is chaired by group of voluntary directors who work to help the Fredericksburg area community through several initiatives. FAB financially supports non-profit organizations in the Fredericksburg region that specifically coordinate and provide home repair and safer living conditions for those in need. Helping make repairs and improvements related to home ownership affordable. With a greater emphasis on the growing need for Workforce Development in our region, FAB has partnered with local educators and has established two local NAHB Student Chapters in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and will continue working toward the establishment of student chapters in all the municipalities that we serve. FAB Foundation has grant opportunities available for those looking to learn a trade and to potentially partner with member mentors and job placement opportunities. For more information on all the good that FAB Foundation does, call Maria Moore, Fredericksburg Area Builders Association Executive Vice President, at 540-898-2730, email at mmoore@fabava.com, or go to www.fabava.com and select FAB Foundation tab.
We currently have 3 active high school student chapters 1. Stafford High School 2. Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center 3. Caroline High School
2020 FABA Board of Directors
President Stacey Lampman Spaces Design Studio 1st Vice President Scott Hine Assurance Financial Group 2nd Vice President Gene Brown Atlantic Builders Secretary Jeh Hicks Jarrell Properties Treasurer Jeremiah Horstick CORELOT Immediate Past President Marc Simes Tricord Companies Associate Vice President John Reid Embrace Home Loans Executive Officer Maria Moore FABA Legal Counsel Charlie Payne Hirschler Builder Director Michelle Hall J. Hall Homes Builder Director Tim Hall Tricord Companies Builder Director Sean Halsey Halsey Homes Builder Director Allen Harrison Battlefield Homes Builder Director Dan Sandoval Republic Home Builders Builder Director Teressa Taylor-Griffis Foundation Homes Associate Director Sara Fila Legacy Engineering Associate Director Michael King Ray's Siding Associate Director Bruce Reese Legacy Engineering, PC Associate Director Greg Schmidt Pest Solutions Associate Director Frank Sigmon Builders FirstSource
The Legislative Committee meets monthly to discuss the status of local and state level legislation that affects the building industry. For more information from each county, plan to attend the Legislative Committee meeting - third Thursday of the month at 8:30 am. The FAB Foundation board of directors meets monthly to discuss ways to involve the association with local workforce educators and help promote workforce development in our area. If you would like to be invoived with these students, contact FABA for more information.
Legislative News
Why Volunteer? Part of being a great volunteer is loving what you're doing. Find something that you're passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in your community. There are dozens of reasons why you should volunteer - you just need to find the one that feels right. 20 GREAT REASONS TO VOLUNTEER - Help others - Make a difference - Find purpose · Enjoy a meaningful conversation · Connect with your community · Feel involved · Contribute to a cause you care about · Use your skills in a productive way · Develop new skills · Meet new people · Explore new areas of interest · Meet good people · Impress your mom · Impress yourself · Expand your horizons · Get out of the house · Make new friends · Strengthen your resume · Feel better about yourself
Community Service
The Community Service Committee plans and organizes FABA's outreach and service in the local community and partners with members and non-profit groups to find ways to give back.
NEWS AND HAPPENINGS Send us your press releases, news, and event information! We can post it here in our newsletter and on the Member Happenings page of our website! Contact admin@fabava.com for more information.
What is a successful FABA membership? Please help our member success team as they work to help you make the most out of your membership. Fill out the survey below. Your input is greatly appreciated. Click here for Member Success Survey Contact admin@fabava.com for more information or assistance.
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