More than a dozen BATC members joined over 750 builders from across the nation in Washington DC last week for the annual National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Legislative Conference. They were there to urge lawmakers to support policies that will keep the housing recovery moving forward and increase housing opportunities for all Americans. BATC members met with the elected officials and/or staff from all of our congressional and US Senate offices, including strong BATC supporter Rep. Eric Paulsen (R) from Minnesota’s Third Congressional District (pictured above).
The message to our elected officials touched on four important industry issues currently being discussed in Washington: Tax Reform; Housing Finance Reform; Immigration Reform; and Credit for Housing Production.
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Tax Reform - To meet the nation’s growing need for affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities, NAHB members urged Congress to maintain its support for vital housing tax incentives, including the mortgage interest deduction. Builders also emphasized that the Low Income Housing Tax Credit is essential to ensure that lower-income families have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
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Housing Finance Reform - With Congress preparing to address the future of the nation’s housing finance system and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, NAHB continued to advocate that any restructuring should provide for a reliable and adequate flow of credit for home buyers, and that the federal government plays an appropriate role in backing up the housing finance system.
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Immigration Reform - NAHB called on Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform that protects the nation’s borders, focuses on the direct employer-employee relationship so that U.S. employers remain accountable only for the identity and work authorization status of their direct employees, and creates an efficient, temporary guest worker program that allows employers to recruit legal immigrant workers when there is a shortage of domestic workers.
- Credit for Housing Production - Despite the recent upturn in housing, builders in many markets are still unable to obtain construction loans for viable home building projects. NAHB called on lawmakers to support House bill H.R. 1255 sponsored by Reps. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) and companion Senate bill S. 1002 introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) that would help resolve the ongoing credit problems for builders.
Read more from NAHB: On Capitol Hill, Housing Gains Grounds
