Washington, DC, May 10, 2006--More than 1,300 builders from across the country are holding nearly 400 meetings today with their representatives and senators to urge them to increase housing opportunities for all Americans.
“A record number of builders have trekked to Washington for the annual NAHB Legislative Conference, which coincides with our spring board meeting, in order to urge their lawmakers on Capitol Hill to enact policies that meet our nation’s ongoing housing needs,” said David Pressly, president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a builder from Statesville, N.C.
To keep housing a national priority, builders will be calling on their members of Congress to:
- Protect the mortgage interest deduction and other housing tax incentives
- Enact a balanced agenda that protects the environment and allows communities to thrive
- Recognize housing’s critical contribution to the current economic expansion
- Eliminate excessive regulations that harm housing affordability
- Implement comprehensive immigration reform that addresses crucial border security needs and provides for a new guest worker program
- Maintain a strong housing finance system
- Support legislation that allows property owners more expeditious access to federal district court review of property takings cases
The nation’s home builders are emphasizing the important role that housing plays in maintaining a healthy economy, creating jobs for workers in their local communities and accumulating household wealth. Currently, housing accounts for more than 16 percent of Gross Domestic Product, and American home owners now have more than $11 trillion in home equity.
“Our members are walking the halls of Congress to send an important message to their federal lawmakers--namely, to support efforts to keep housing on track as the nation’s most important economic engine and wealth builder, and to support policies that will increase the supply of affordable housing and expand homeownership and rental housing opportunities for America’s working families,” said Pressly.
