For many years, the Association has looked to Southern Dallas as a focus for future economic growth. Thanks to the leadership and initiatives of Mayor Mike Rawlings, these opportunities may be realized in the near future to the benefit of builders, developers, and Dallas residents. Join the HBA and the Mayor on Thursday, May 24, for “Building South”: A Candid Analysis of Southern Dallas for the Real Estate Professional. [Read more...]
Join the Mayor on May 24 for a Candid Discussion About Development Opportunities in South Dallas
May 15, 2012 By
State Senate Committee Studies Regulatory Impact on Housing Costs
May 15, 2012 By
HBA members and staff participated in an interim meeting of the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee on May 3. One of the committee’s charges was to examine the impact of regulations on the cost of a new home. The hearing was held at the new UNT Dallas campus. A copy of the hearing handout is below. [Read more...]
Association Launches New Jobsite Safety Initiative
May 15, 2012 By
HBA builder members are now able to purchase the newly-developed Model Construction Safety Program and Jobsite Safety Standards Package©. This package was developed with input from OSHA safety experts, custom and volume builders, remodelers, and attorneys who specialize in OSHA law. TAB members and staff conferred with OSHA officials during multiple visits and communications with OSHA Region 6 Headquarters regarding the Model Safety Plan. (Region 6 includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico.) The Model Safety Plan reflects input from OSHA Region 6 Headquarters and incorporates accepted best practices that, when utilized correctly, should result in a safer and more productive work environment. [Read more...]
EPA Furthers Efforts to Regulate Greenhouse Gas
May 14, 2012 By
NAHB has submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed next steps in regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) from facilities sources by amending its Tailoring Rule. Published in June 2010, this rule was one of a suite of rules that marks EPA’s first regulation of GHGs from facilities. [Read more...]
Bipartisan House Bill Would Halt Expansion of Clean Water Act
May 14, 2012 By
On April 27, bipartisan leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Agriculture Committee introduced legislation (H.R. 4965) to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from using a draft guidance to dramatically expand the reach of the Clean Water Act to include virtually every ditch, pond and seasonal runoff ditch in the nation. [Read more...]
Department of Energy Confirms NAHB Interpretation on IECC Adoption
May 14, 2012 By
For some time now, there has been a question circulating around the states concerning what the requirement was for adopting a code beyond the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to comply with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding stipulations. It seems that states were being told by outside sources that the 2012 IECC had to be adopted to continue to be in compliance with ARRA. At a recent meeting with Department of Energy (DOE) representatives, NAHB staff took the opportunity to ask Roland Risser, Program Manager of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, to explain DOE’s position on this important question. [Read more...]
Who’s Running Where: A Look at Area Elections at the State and Federal Level
May 7, 2012 By
Now that the uncertainty regarding re-districting has passed, we have compiled a list of area candidates running for office at the state and federal level. The Texas primary election will be May 29. Early voting will begin on May 14, and will run through May 25. Those planning to apply for a ballot by mail must have their request in by May 22.
The Texas Legislative Council has a great website that illustrates the revised district lines. Just follow the instructions posted on their website to find your district and/or to see how the maps have changed.
Be an Informed Voter: Check out the DMN Voter Guide
April 25, 2012 By
The HBA urges members and all citizens to be educated and informed voters this election season. The Dallas Morning News Voter Guide is helpful when it comes to learning more about the candidates running at the state and local level.
HBA’s HOMEPAC has recently made contributions to the following candidates:
- Roger Burns, candidate for Texas House District 67
- Bill Keffer, candidate for Texas House District 114
- Jim Pruitt, candidate for Texas House District 33
- Pat Fallon, candidate for Texas House District 106
- Brent Bilhartz, candidate for Frisco City Council Place 1
- David Hillock, candidate for Mayor of Little Elm
HBA members are encouraged to identify candidates that they believe will support the housing industry in the Dallas area and to attend meetings with HBA leaders and staff.
Early voting for municipal elections runs from April 30-May 8. Most municipal general elections are on May 12.
Early voting for the Texas Primary Election runs from May 14-25. The Texas Primary Election will be held on May 29.
NAHB Unveils Housing Finance Reform Plan
March 6, 2012 By
With Congress and the Administration now looking at several proposals to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and encourage greater participation in the mortgage finance system among private institutions, NAHB has unveiled a comprehensive framework for housing finance reform that we will advocate in ongoing negotiations.
The plan, which was developed through a specially appointed NAHB working group and approved by NAHB’s Board of Directors at its recent meeting in Orlando, stresses that any transition away from the current housing finance system must be done in a careful and deliberate manner to avoid further disruptions to an already fragile market. [Read more...]
FHA to Raise Mortgage Insurance Premiums on April 1
March 6, 2012 By
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced that it plans to raise two types of fees that it charges borrowers for home mortgage insurance in order to boost its reserves and maintain its solvency.
Beginning on April 1, borrowers who do not put 20% down on their single-family mortgages will be required to pay an increase in their annual mortgage insurance premium. The mortgage insurance premium will increase by 0.10 of a percentage point for loans under $625,500, rising from 1.15% to 1.25% of the loan amount. [Read more...]
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