Builder- March 2009 - (Page 55) NAHB BRIEFS Free Money T he $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law on Feb. 17 by President Barack Obama contains elements that the NAHB believes will BEAT NEWS FROM HOUSING’S GROUND ZERO ■ NATIONAL EDI T ED BY CL A IR E KOLT KO bolster housing and the economy. Among the most beneficial provisions is an $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for qualified home purchases in 2009 that does not have to be repaid and is fully refundable. That credit will remain in effect until Dec. 1, 2009 so that consumers can use it during the critical summer and fall home buying months. Also, housing finance agencies can help buyers at closing by advancing the credit amount as a loan using tax-exempt bond proceeds. FROM THE CHAIRMAN Make History Let your voice be heard on Capitol Hill at the 2009 Legislative Conference. Trouble Spreads U matt wood nfortunately for builders, many of whom have decided to branch out into remodeling work in an eff ort to keep cash coming in as new-home sales have all but stopped, the residential remodeling market declined further during the final ▶ quarter of 2008, O ne of the best things about a member- with their senators and representatives and serving driven association like the NAHB is that it as advocates for the housing industry. Their efforts provides everyone throughout the federa- on Capitol Hill are invaluable to the NAHB and our tion with opportunities to participate in the industry, and their commitment and hard work have political process. contributed greatly to our reputation as Whether it’s a meeting with the local one of the most effective groups in Washcity council or an appointment on Capiington. The members who participate in tol Hill with one of the most influential the Legislative Conference are truly the members of Congress, anyone in our backbone of our advocacy efforts, and federation can be a part of the NAHB’s there’s no way to thank them enough for efforts to impress upon lawmakers at all their contributions. levels of government that housing must But there’s a lot of truth in the old saying be a key element in the nation’s economic that “there is strength in numbers,” and in recovery efforts. today’s struggling housing market and turJOE ROBSON Many members participate in our chairman of the board, bulent economy, we need all the numbers nahb (see page 56) annual Legislative Conference, meeting washington, d.c. we can get. W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM m a rc h 2 0 0 9 BUILDER ■ 55 http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM
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