Homebuilding 101 Recap

Fourteen elected officials from across San Diego County were among the housing advocates and decision makers who recently attended the BIA's inaugural Homebuilding 101 seminar. They spent three hours with us learning about the challenges of homebuilding. Scot Sandstrom with New Pointe Communities was passionate about the desire to build housing and the frustration of working through the process. What used to take four months now takes two to three years, he said, and the house is not that different. Steve Ruffner from KB Home shared why KB built a Fire Prepared Community in North Escondido — being able to get insurance was a big part of the decision. These homes are in a High Fire Severity Zone but because they are built and certified Fire Prepared, they can attain insurance for about $1,100/year. Steve Hawk from IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) presented on fire science, how fires move, what causes a fire to start, the impact of winds and how insurance companies respond to this information. Newer homes are a lot more fire resistant than old ones.

Lots of questions were asked by the elected officials which we appreciated. We had two goals for this session: Build stronger relationships with elected officials. We want them to know the BIA is a trusted resource. And educate them on land use, and what they can do to clear the way for more homes to be built for their constituents.

CPUC: Extension Granted!

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently extended a deadline for mixed-fuel new construction projects to be energized by June 30th 2027, allowing projects to remain eligible for electric line subsidies for mixed-fuel new construction through the new deadline.

“Ordering Paragraph 5 of Decision 23-12-037 is modified to extend the deadlines it set as follows: (a) Mixed-fuel new construction projects shall have until June 30, 2027, which equates to 36 months from July 1, 2024, as the new extended deadline to energize the project; and (b) The contract-execution deadline is extended to allow projects that were in the design review approval process, but without executed contracts, prior to July 1, 2024, to remain eligible for electric line extension subsidies for mixed-fuel new construction such that those projects must now only meet June 30, 2027 extended deadline to energize those projects.” Page 121, Ordering Paragraph 27

CPUC: Mixed-Fuel Electric Line Subsidy Deadline Extension Decision

BIA Working For You

Self-Certification Policy Development

BIA representatives are working on a self-certification proposal list that can be provided to jurisdictions for policy development.

Housing Commission Tenant Income Questionnaire

A small group of BIA members have initiated a discussion with the Housing Commission to address challenges with the existing tenant income questionnaire and related relocation policies.

TRIP Program

BIA staff and members are working together to provide comments to the City of Chula Vista on the city's TRIP program.

Help Us Spread the Word

BIA Members: Please help us connect with your employees and others in your network by forwarding this email and asking them to check out these two links. We would sure appreciate that. Thank you!

BIA San Diego Working for You



BIA San Diego Email list Sign-up

Beyond our Region

Recently, we had more than a 1,000 NAHB and some of our own BIA San Diego builders, remodelers and associates engaged in all facets of the residential construction industry trek to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C to urge our lawmakers to support policies that will help builders unleash the housing market by allowing them to increase the production of quality, affordable housing. During the trip to Capitol Hill, our housing advocates had more than 250 meetings with representatives and senators uring lawmakers to act on three key issues that can have an immediate impact on housing affordability: energy codes, workforce development, and tax policy. 

National Association of Homebuilders: 2025 Legislative Priorities

NAHB: Key Housing Issues

Housing Advocates: there is strength in numbers so please forward this email to your network, including your employees. Help us grow our coalition of supporters advocating for more homes and apartments San Diegans can afford!