Building Industry Association of San Diego County
eWeekly Newsletter
November 8, 2016
ELECTION DAY - Polls Open Until 8:00pm
By Matt Adams    
   And now it's your turn. Voters head to the polls today to have the final say on a host of offices and issues that will reverberate from San Diego to Sacramento to Washington DC.  BIA members are urged to review the BIAPAC Voter Guide on recommendations for local city councils, County Supervisor and ballot propositions. The marquee races include the 3rd District Board of Supervisors that pits challenger Kristin Gaspar against incumbent Dave Roberts and the race for San Diego City Attorney between Robert Hickey and Mara Elliott. In all, the BIAPAC Voter Guide includes recommendations on 33 races and propositions. Leading the list of ballot propositions is Proposition 51 - a $9 billion school bond with strong bipartisan support along with the BIA and other trade associations. Registered voters have until 8:00 p.m. tonight to cast ballots. Polling location information can be found on the Registrar of Voters  website.
Where the heck is housing going?
By Borre Winckel, President & CEO      
   The San Diego building industry pulled 7,412 permits for the first three quarters of this year compared to 7,488 units same time last year. The decline over 2015 is in Single Family Detached (SFD) production, which dropped from 2,473 units to 1,848 units. This decline was not offset by an increase in attached production, which rose from 5,015 units to 5,564 units this year. San Diego's ever shrinking SFD production is no news. It confirms what we already know, suburban detached housing production is largely limited to the pocket books of the happy few.
 Our industry has never before NOT been able to substantially meet the high demand for middle-market segment housing types.    
Project support through Project Green Light
By Michael Harris  
   The Building Industry Association advocates for the industry as a whole and avoids promoting any single project as it would cause us to lose credibility within our region.  However, as more and more regulations and NIMBYs become greater obstacles for our builder/ developer members, the BIA has a program that connects our members with the much-needed advocacy for a builder/developer.  
   Project Green Light (PGL) allows BIA members to receive communication from the builder/developer to help advocate for their project.  This is a win-win for both groups.  The builder/developer has upwards of 100 people standing by them in support of their project, and the Associates members create an opportunity to build a relationship that goes way beyond a business card exchange at an event.  
   There is a critical Project Green Light coming up for Shopoff Realty Investments that needs your support.  Click here for more information and to sign up for PGL today.
School notice threatens imposition of Level 3 fees
By Matt Adams    
   On the eve of the General Election that includes a $9 billion school facility construction bond, the Office of Public School Construction sent notification to school districts that funds for new school construction were no longer available. The move is a preamble toward a doubling of school fees assessed on each new home built. Per law, the State Allocation Board notified the state Assembly and Senate of the depleted funds as a prelude to the school district notification. Industry leaders believe the move is premature and recommends such fees be paid under protest.  Hopefully the issue will be short lived with the passage of Proposition 51 that would add billions to the school construction account.
Committee to hear Land Use Reform Update
By Matt Adams        
   The San Diego Smart Growth and Land Use Committee is expected to hear an update from city staff on its efforts to improve its land use review process when it convenes on November 16th.  Chair, Lori Zapf has asked for the update to see what has been done since the first SGLU hearing on project processing reform earlier this year. The housing crisis has been at the forefront of city priorities since its declaration of a housing state of emergency nearly 12 years ago.  It catapulted back into the headlines with the release of a 2015 report by Point Loma Nazarene University that concluded that, on average, 40% of new home costs are due to the regulatory process. The city has been working to identify snags in the system in order to improve project review efficiency.
2017 Partnership Program (P2) is here!
By Michael Harris
   If your company has been a P2 member, then you know the huge value that comes with it. Separate from your membership dues, the Partnership Program is a yearly sponsorship that provides a lot of value including marketing exposure at all our events, credit to  register  for events, extra exposure in the membership directories, and other perks depending on the tier selected. One of the biggest value-added perks is the ability to have VIP early access into our Meet the Builder event. For those of you who were outside looking in at last month's Meet the Builder event, you know this is a big advantage. 
   Get exposure for the rest of 2016 on our website by filling out the 2017 commitment form now. Click here for the brochure that has more information on how the program works and the commitment form.
Help Non-Profit BIA Member "Make The Match"
   The San Diego Community Land Trust (SDCLT) is a non-profit affordable homeownership builder and member of the San Diego BIA. SDCLT is completing its first two projects: 9 single family attached homes in Lemon Grove and 16 single family homes in the Nestor neighborhood of San Diego. The homes will be priced to be affordable to families earning from 70% to 120% of San Diego Area Median Income. Ground breaking is expected in early 2017.
   Until SDCLT sells its homes, it is totally dependent on grants and donations. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has awarded SDCLT a $63,000 matching grant. Help SDCLT make the match and contribute to the completion of SDCLT's first two projects. Use this link to make your donation. If you have any questions contact Jean Diaz
San Diego Bowl Games Discounts
   From now until November 18th, the National Funding Holiday Bowl is offering a  $20 discount on all game tickets to all BIA members!
   As members of BIA, you have the opportunity to purchase the best available game tickets through the bowl's ticket office, and will be able to buy blocks of tickets so all of your guests can be together for the big game. This is an exclusive offer for the BIA membership through November 18th!   Click here to see all the excitement surrounding the game! To secure the ticket discount and get the very best seats available, call Phil Snyder in the bowl ticket office at (619) 283-5808 and identify yourself as a BIA member. Click here for flyer.
How to get more housing in San Diego?
Report offers suggestions

By Phillip Molanr - San Diego Union Tribune
   California needs to build 3.5 million homes by 2025 to keep up with population growth, says a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute, and local experts put the number around 170,000 new units for San Diego County.
   The state is losing billions of dollars each year because of a lack of housing, and individuals are feeling the cost burden, said the institute, the research arm of New York-based McKinsey & Company management consulting firm.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome New Members

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BIA Orientations  are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month (except December) from 9:00-10:30am at the BIA office. All members are welcome! Please RSVP to Robin Richardson.

Upcoming Events
y|GEN End of Year Party & Mentor Appreciation Event
When November 10 at 5:00pm
Where Draft Republic
y|GEN Members & Mentors Only!
Registration closes at 10am tomorrow!
BUILD SD PAC Donor Appreciation Party
When November 17 at 4:30pm
Where Sheraton Carlsbad
BUILD SD PAC Donors Only!
2017 Economic Forecast
Annual Dinner & Political Leaders Reception
When November 17 at 5:00pm
Where Sheraton Carlsbad
Prices increase Friday!
BIA Cares
Holiday Bike Drive
When : Ongoing through December 16th
2017 Installation Dinner
When : January 21  at 5:30pm
Where : Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego