The BIASC February Newsletter
In This Issue
Welcome Your New Members!
BIASC's Baldy View and Riverside County Chapters Discuss the Housing Market In the Inland Empire
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Grey for His 10 Years with BIASC
HomeAid America Names CalAtlantic Group's Scott Stowell as Chairman for 2017-18
Connect with Our 4 Chapters:
BIASC Members Save Big!
BIASC's Sign Program
Meet Your IT Needs with ISS
Your BIASC Industry Partners & Energy Efficiency Education Partner/Sponsor
Join A Council
...Or A Committee
Click the Links to Access these Member Benefits from Your 
BIASC Affinity Partners

CDS Insurance Services

Newsletter Contact
Mike Balsamo,
CEO of BIASC
A Message from CEO, Mike Balsamo

Last week your BIA Southern California Government Affairs team visited Sacramento for the CBIA Winter Meetings. We were joined by Michael Battaglia (CalAtlantic Homes), Tom Grable (TriPointe Homes) and Alan Boudreau (Boudreau Pipeline) from our BIASC Executive Committee among other members. Some highlights from the trip included a legislative update from Assemblyman Tom Daly (Anaheim) and the annual Legislative Reception.

We received a comprehensive Government Affairs update from our CBIA team and to be candid, the challenges our industry is facing from Sacramento are daunting. As currently written, AB 199 would require prevailing wage rates for all residential construction in California.  Conservative estimates are that prevailing wage requirements would add approximately 40% to the construction costs for new communities. The Southern California housing market simply cannot absorb that cost impact given the affordability crisis that already exists today. AB 199 would stunt the initiation of many new communities and further reduce housing supply overall. Our industry is firmly opposed to AB 199, stand by for more information.

Challenges remain with the on-going planning for the 2020 Energy Code. The California Energy Commission is now acknowledging publicly that Zero Net Energy homes are not yet reasonably feasible. The State will be moving to ZNE ready regulations.

Threats also loom regarding legislation to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California including a major increase to the gas tax and the potential for establishing "vehicle miles traveled" as a significant environmental impact under CEQA. These policies are most damaging to those who work in the coastal regions but seek cost attainable housing in the inland and Central Valley areas of the State out of necessity.

On a lighter note, a series of fantastic events are just ahead for our members. We will be continuing discussion on the economic landscape with the Greater Sales & Marketing Council's (GSMC) 2017 Builder Perspective event tomorrow at the Tustin Community Center.

In the upcoming weeks we are looking forward to BIA Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter's Public Officials Night on February 23rd; BIA Baldy View Chapter's Legislative Luncheon on February 28th; BIA Baldy Chapter and BIA Los Angeles/Ventura County Chapter's co-branded "Meet the Builder" on March 2nd; BIA Riverside County Chapter Legislative Affairs Committee Luncheon on March 3rd; California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) SoCal Celebrity Waiter Event on March 10th; and the BIA Mayor's Luncheon in the Coachella Valley on March 16th.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events!  Interacting with elected leaders and fellow members is pivotal to our success!  Thank you for your support!
Please Welcome Your Newest Members 
Jan 19 - Feb 24
BIASC's Baldy View and Riverside County Chapters Discuss the Housing Market In the Inland Empire
New single-family home construction is far below demand, and while new-home prices in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are lower than other Southern California areas, costs are still difficult for many Inland residents to meet.

Building Industry Association's Southern California Government Affairs staff from Baldy View Chapter for San Bernardino County and the Riverside County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California spoke to members of the Orange County Register press in order to speak about the current state of the housing market and the building industry in Southern California.

Congratulations to Dr. Mark Grey for His 10 Years with BIASC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.'s (BIASC) Director of Environmental Affairs, Mark Grey, Ph.D., celebrated his tenth year with the organization. Dr. Grey, who also works as the Technical Director for the Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality (CICWQ), brings a wealth of knowledge to BIASC and CICWQ in the fields of water and air quality protection, having worked in environmental science for the past 30 years in the Pacific Northwest and California. Dr. Grey represents the interests of BIASC and CICWQ members in California, with an emphasis on water quality policy and regulatory matters.

HomeAid America Names CalAtlantic Group's Scott Stowell as Chairman for 2017-18
HomeAid America, a building industry charity and one of the nation's largest builders of housing for the homeless, announced today that CalAtlantic Homes' Executive Chairman and industry leader Scott Stowell will lead their Board of Directors as Chairman for 2017-18.

"I am proud to take on the Chairmanship of HomeAid America as it continues its 28-year role as the leader in the building industry's efforts to help those people in the greatest need in our country; those without a place to call home. HomeAid has a proven model and track record in this area, and our work is needed now more than ever with several major cities experiencing homelessness crises," Scott Stowell said.

Make The Most of Your Membership
CBIA's Member Rebate Program


Free Member Benefit to Builder & Remodeler members of the California BIA. 

There are currently over 50 of the country's leading Manufacturer Brands participating in the Member Rebate Program offering the same rebates as the "Top-5 Builders" receive regardless of your volume.




Your Sponsorship Here!
 
Reach the Southern California region of the building industry with your sponsorship logo. Contact Denise Kennedy at dkennedy@biasc.org, or by phone at (949)777-3854.