New THIS Month MEMBERS ASSOCIATES DPIS Builder Services ESP Associates Johnson & Evin Building Group BUILDERS Fox Creek Homes EVENTS & EDU BS & Beer Dec 3rd | 4:30PM Two Blokes Brewing Co. Residential Builders License Prep Course Dec 9th - 11th CHBA Office SMC Virtual New Home Bus Tour Dec 9th | 9:30AM Summerville & Moncks Corner
D E C E M B E R 2020
From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, NAHB has been working to keep America’s home builders and trades partners safe and on the job.
That effort is now being redoubled as the country faces a worrying spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
Charleston HBA
IN THE NEWS
NAHB Continues to Emphasize Job Site Safety
A worker on a site in Wisconsin reviews the clearly posted NAHB coronavirus safety materials.
Building the Future of the Lowcountry
Early efforts focused on the safety of workers on construction sites. NAHB, in cooperation with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), adapted CDC guidance into a Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction tailored specifically to home building job sites. That plan was published on NAHB.org on March 25 in English and Spanish. NAHB has been monitoring changes in official guidance and has updated the plan three times, with the most recent version published on Oct. 29.
continued from page 1)... The plan was immediately adopted by many in the home building industry, with HBAs adding local guidance and distributing the materials to members, many of whom posted the information on job sites and used them to train workers and trades partners. The materials provided the basis for the nationwide COVID-19 Jobsite Safety Stand Down held on April 16 and a video toolbox talk. They have also been used by HBAs in their efforts to keep job sites open.
Sponsored by 84 Lumber Register at hbacharleston.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD 4:30PM - 6:30PM | TWO BLOKES BREWERY Sponsored by Ferguson & Home Elevators Direct FREE to attend. Drinks on YOU. Featuring Victor's Lab Food Truck! Get behind the Building Science of building!
BS & Beer
NAHB has launched a new effort focused on mental wellbeing in the construction industry with an emphasis on helping association members support healthy work environments and be more proactive in looking at their own health and wellness. Construction workers are particularly susceptible to mental health issues and suicide.
More construction workers die by suicide each day than all workplace- related fatalities combined, with a rate of 43.5 suicides per 100,000 workers.
NAHB Focuses on Mental Health
CHBA Hosts First Premier Builder Group Event with SARA
building industry. The builders and architects met at Red’s Ice House for a night of networking and relationship building, discussing common issues they face on an everyday basis and drawing inspiration on ways to streamline the process for the builder, architect, client and trades.Both groups plan on meeting quarterly in 2021. For more information on how to get involved, head to our website hbacharleston.com/premier-builder-group.
The CHBA Premier Builder Group held its first networking event in November with SARA, the Society of American Registered Architects, SC Council. Both groups have come together with a common goal: to build relationships, connect, and brainstorm ways to advance the home
Register Now for Virtual IBSx
Homes with solar photovoltaic panels (PV) can appeal to some new home buyers because of reduced electric bills and a lessened environmental impact. The decision to proceed with such a major investment, however, raises a question about the return on investment. Home Innovation Research Labs recently completed a study analyzing the cost effectiveness of rooftop solar PV across five different markets: Phoenix; Tampa, Fla; Boston; Kansas City, Mo.; and Seattle.
The Pros and Cons of Solar Panels
The 2021 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) has transitioned to a virtual-only event. The exclusive IBS opportunities that attendees have come to expect from the in-person event will still take place, connecting home building professionals together, online, during the IBSx Virtual Experience (IBSx), Feb. 9-12, 2021. Visit BuildersShow.com to register.
IRS Rules on PPP and Expense Deductions
Businesses that get their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven will not qualify for some valuable deductions, according to IRS guidance. "Companies that have “a reasonable expectation that the govern- ment won’t require them to pay back the money can’t deduct the business expenses paid for by the loan.” There is a bipartisan effort in Congress to overturn the IRS’ guidance. Senate Finance
Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) support legislative changes that would allow businesses to deduct expenses paid for with PPP money.
The election cycle was expected to be competitive in 2020, so members stepped up their support this year for BUILD-PAC, NAHB’s political action committee dedicated to electing the most qualified pro-housing, pro-business candidates. During the 2019-2020 election cycle, BUILD-PAC contributed to 355 U.S. congressional candidates and played in over 100 competitive races. As of Nov. 23, 95% of the candidates BUILD-PAC supported won their races. NAHB also endorsed 159 candidates for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives who have shown a commitment to policies that promote homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans. NAHB supported the candidates it endorsed with an intensive voter mobilization effort.
NAHB’s Legal Action Committee recently recommended that the Board of Directors fund $56,000 in Legal Action Fund grants to members and HBAs for legal efforts that will have a national impact on the home building industry. Examples include: The Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh was awarded $10,000 in its challenge of state rules that impose greater limits on the number of people on residen- tial job sites than on commercial sites. An NAHB member from the Kansas City HBA received $11,000 to support their challenge to growth controls imposed by the municipality. An NAHB member from the Rochester HBA in New York received $10,000 for their efforts to defend a legal victory they achieved in a lower court regarding a challenge to local zoning conditions.
Sponsor of the 2020 High Performance Council Meetings
BUILD-PAC Wins 95% of Races
Legal Action Fund Provides Grants
shared during the recent event. “We first need to deal with eviction, but we absolutely need a housing policy that will encourage partnerships in building more housing … Housing has gotten so expensive in metropolitan areas but so cheap in many ways in other places still, and we’ve got to find ways to encourage growth in those areas.” NAHB and The Hill kicked off the “Building the Dream” series in Minneapolis in November 2019, and the series continued throughout 2020. Full replays of all of the events in the series, including this most recent segment, are available on NAHB.org.
Building the Dream Series Looks at Housing Affordability
Over the past year, NAHB’s “Building the Dream” series, in partnership with The Hill, has explored various factors contributing to the housing affordability crisis. Although the crisis had been a longstanding issue prior to COVID-19, the current pandemic has altered the situation in many cases, including delays in supply chains, labor shortages and increased interest in the suburbs, that have had a further impact on the cost of housing. The Hill’s Editor-at-Large Steve Clemons explored the current conditions of housing affordability with policymakers and industry leaders during the series’ final event. Having access to safe, affordable housing has been a paramount concern during the pandemic for both home owners and renters. While forbearance and rental assistance have provided short-term relief in the immediate wake of COVID-19, additional assistance is still needed to prevent families from slipping into poverty, as well as longer-term solutions to address overall affordability. “There are millions of people in this country who are very vulnerable to any setback in terms of what they can do to stay in a safe, affordable, accessible home,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs,
Leadership List
Chrs Klick President Ward Mungo Vice President Brett Miller Treasurer Adam Copenhaver Secretary Lane Baker Past President Board Members Ted Terry Chris Brace Jesse Bray Jay Piner Wade Green Jamey Nelson Tricia Haggerty Jamie Doyle Robby Arnold Mick Jewell Tom Lauderdale Gus Brabham Doug Hayden For a full list of life board members, visit our website hbacharleston.com
BS & BEER Two Blokes Brewing Co. Dec. 3rd, 4:30PM BUSINESS MGMT & LAW FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS CHBA Office Dec. 3rd - 4th SMC VIRTUAL NEW HOME BUS TOUR Summerville & Moncks Corner Dec. 9th, 9:30AM RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS LICENSE PREP COURSE CHBA Office Dec. 9th - 11th 2021 Schedule of Events Coming Soon! *** If you have any questions, contact Ashley at ashley@charlestonhomebuilders.org
Upcoming Events
NAHB Prepared to Work With Biden White House
After a long and contentious election season, former Vice President Joe Biden will become the 46th president of the United States. It appears that Republicans will retain control of the upper chamber. The tally currently stands at 50 Republican Senate seats to 48 Democratic seats, with two Georgia Senate races headed to a Jan. 5 runoff. And while the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives remains in Democratic hands, House Republicans recaptured some of the suburban seats they lost in 2018. As the 117th Congress is seated in January 2021, and with Democrats regaining control of the White House, NAHB’s near-term priorities remain passing another coronavirus relief package and providing relief from recent highs in lumber prices. Longer-term efforts will focus on ensuring a strong economy and creating a regulatory environment that supports new home production so that housing continues to be the brightest spot in the economic recovery. Read NAHB’s election summary for more detail about the new political environment.
President Trump Signs USMCA Trade Pact In a positive development for the housing industry, President Trump on Jan. 29 signed the U.S.-Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA). The U.S. residential construction and remodeling industries rely on tens of billions of dollars in building materials sourced from Mexico and Canada each year. By modernizing and strengthening free trade with our largest trade partners, the USMCA will boost U.S. economic growth and help keep the price of homes and home improvements low.
New App Offers Accessibility Guidance NAHB unveiled the "Pocket Guide to the Fair Housing Act," a free app to help home builders, contractors and designers meet the accessibility requirements of the act, during the Builders' Show in Las Vegas. “HUD welcomes the efforts of this important housing industry partner in working to meet the needs of persons with disabilities,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson told NAHB's Leadership Council.
EPA Announces Water Rule at IBS EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a final “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule during the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. “The Navigable Waters Protection Rule is a big win for states, municipalities, builders and developers, landowners and the American public,” Wheeler said in remarks to NAHB’s Leadership Council. “It will make it easier to understand where the Clean Water Act applies and, as importantly, where it does not.” The EPA administrator noted the new water rule is good for the economy and the environment.
NAHB Unveils All-New Website To better serve the needs of its members, industry partners and other key stakeholders, NAHB recently unveiled an all-new nahb.org website. The site not only features a much more modern look, but also greatly improved search performance, enhanced content functionality and improved navigation for a better user experience. DOL Announces Joint Employer Rule In a win for NAHB, the Labor Department in January announced a final rule to provide a clearer method for determining joint employer status. The rule will provide clarity and certainty regarding employers' responsibility to pay federal minimum wage and overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a week. The new rule will take effect March 16. It includes a set of joint employment examples to further assist in clarifying joint employer status.