In this edition of News You Can Use you will find:

• PAC Fundraiser Recap
• Pima Community College's Renovation Celebration
• Housing Bills Signed into Law
• Revisions to Development and Permit Fees for PDSD
• Ciscomani Efforts to Secure Needed Infrastructure Funding Supports Housing 
• Support for COT Workforce Development Grant 
• Tech Committee Recap - Dealing with Drainage on your Development Site
• Tucson Truss Policy
• Member Benefit: SAHBA Buyer's Guide
• Build Your Workforce Hosted by Pima Community College
• Summer Mixer
• Upcoming Councils & Committees
• Member News
• Industry News

PAC Fundraiser Recap

This week over 60 builder, developer, remodeler and associate members gathered at the Westward Look for wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres while networking with elected officials. The purpose of the event was to help raise much-needed funds for the SAHBA-PAC for the 2024 elections. This year, there are key elections in Marana, Oro Valley, Pima County, Sahuarita, and the State Legislature. The outcomes will shape the regulatory climate for home building. Guests received an update on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. from Congressman Juan Ciscomani. His race will be one of the most competitive races in the country. All of the money raised for the SAHBA PAC and NAHB BuildPAC will go directly to pro-housing candidates running for office. If you would like to make a contribution to the SAHBA PAC you can do so by clicking here. 

Pima Community College's Renovation Celebration

Last night SAHBA Members and staff attended PPC's Renovation Celebration that highlighted the impact of creating 25,000 sqft devoted to the Building & Construction technology. The program consisted of professors, graduates, and the Pima Foundation describing how the expanded space will increase and ultimately assist the workforce development pipeline. The space is planned to be completed in 12 months.

Marcy Eueler with the Pima Foundation also explained how businesses can support the expansion program and ongoing Pima Foundation efforts. Right now is the perfect time to get involved as every monetary donation will be matched by 50% due to a matching challenge grant from the Connie Hillman Family Foundation. Click here to read more about the expansion and how to invest in a brighter future.

ADVOCACY

Housing Bills Signed into Law

House Bill 2720: Accessory Dwelling Units: Municipalities with over 75,000 people must allow ADUs by January 1, 2025.

House Bill 2297: Adaptive Reuse for Multi-family Development: Municipalities with over 150,000 people must permit multi-family residential development or adaptive reuse of at least 10% of existing commercial, office, or mixed-use buildings without special exceptions, rezoning application, or discretionary municipal review by January 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 1162: Timelines for Zoning Applications: Municipalities must set deadlines for zoning application reviews by January 1, 2025.

House Bill 2721: Middle Housing: Municipalities with over 75,000 people must allow middle housing within a mile of the Central Business District and on at least 20% of new developments over 10 acres by January 1, 2026.

Revisions to Development and Permit Fees for PDSD

Mayor and Council voted 6-0 to approve the revisions to the increased Development and Permit Fees for the Planning and Development Services Department. Led by Council Member Nikki Lee, others on the Council including Mayor Romero and Council Member Uhlich echoed comments expressed by SAHBA in our letter about the need for enhanced service delivery. Specifically, they communicated how they want to keep track of the metrics and the customer service improvements for these increases and highlighted how delays are what cost the most. These fees go into effect on July 1st and will be phased in over two years. The ICC valuation table increases will be phased in over 3 years, beginning in FY2025.

SAHBA did submit a letter to Mayor and Council and continues to work directly with the Department to mitigate some of the challenges we are hearing from the membership. Please contact Brendan@sahba.org if you would like to express any further challenges or concerns.

Ciscomani Efforts to Secure Needed Infrastructure Funding Supports Housing 

This week, the Arizona Daily Star published a guest opinion by SAHBA President & CEO David Godlewski. The piece focused on current challenges in our housing market and efforts by Congressman Ciscomani to secure the necessary funding for critical infrastructure. A key element that hits home for SAHBA is $2.7m for Pima JTED which will ensure more young professionals choosing a career in the construction trades. Click here for the full article. 

Support for COT Workforce Development Grant 

The City of Tucson is pursuing grant funding for the Department of Energy’s Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) that would improve training access for both existing building industry workers and for youth considering a career in construction. SAHBA submitted a letter supporting the pursuit of the grant and emphasizing the need for workforce training programs. 

Tech Committee Recap - Dealing with Drainage on your Development Site

At this month’s Technical Committee Meeting, Tucson's Floodplain Manager, Elizabeth Leibold, presented key considerations for development in flood-prone areas. She emphasized the importance of checking FEMA flood hazards, local flood hazards, and erosion hazard setbacks to ensure compliance with flood safety regulations. Additionally, she outlined the necessity of stormwater quality regulations, riparian floodplain development requirements, and floodplain use permitting, while also highlighting upcoming regulatory changes aimed at enhancing floodplain management and construction safety within the city. For further information, please contact Brendan@sahba.org.

Tucson Truss Policy

The "Reviews for Truss Design and Similar Deferred Submittals" policy aims to expedite the processing of shop drawings and fabrication documents by allowing peer reviews conducted by the Registrant of Record. Engineered floor and roof truss systems must be reviewed to ensure compliance with building regulations, often occurring after the initial permit issuance as a deferred submittal. Effective July 1st, the policy permits the Registrant of Record to perform peer reviews of truss system documentation for buildings permitted in the City of Tucson. The draft of the policy can be reviewed here.

MEMBER BENEFIT: SAHBA BUYER'S GUIDE

The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association Buyers’ Guide is a resource for consumers to find products and services offered by building industry professionals. SAHBA has partnered with Strategic Value Media, a leading nationwide provider of print and digital media solutions to the national, state and local trade and membership associations, to produce the 2024 version of the Guide.

Every SAHBA member receives a complimentary listing. Members can also take advantage of an enhanced listing. A representative from Strategic Value Media (SVM) will be contacting you by email or phone to inquire if you want to enhance your listing in the Buyer’s Guide. To learn more about advertising your product or services within this exclusive Guide please email sahba-advertise@svmmedia.com or SAHBA Staff Member Courtney Kinion at courtney@sahba.org.

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Build Your Workforce Hosted by Pima Community College

Join the Pima Community College's Employer Engagement & Career Services team for an upcoming learning lunch. Learn about the valuable services they offer and discover what PPC's Simplicity: My Career Link can do for your business.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Pima Community College - Downtown Campus

1255 N Stone Ave

Summer Mixer

Join us at the Sands Club to mix and mingle with fellow members. Enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres provided by our sponsor Beasley, Mitchell & Co., LLP.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sands Club

565 N Cherry Ave - Floor 5

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

Membership Committee - Tuesday, June 25 at 3:30 PM (Hybrid: In-Person at SAHBA Office or Teams)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, July 9 at noon (Hybrid: In-Person at the SAHBA Office or Teams)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, July 10 at noon (In-Person at the SAHBA Office)

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Friday, July 12 at 4:00 PM (Happy Hour - more details to come)

Tech Committee - Tuesday, July 16 at 3:30 PM (Hybrid: In-Person at the SAHBA Office or Teams)

Our Hearts are with Andrew Gasparro

It is with profound sadness that SAHBA announces the passing of Laura Swan, the beloved fiancée of Andrew Gasparro. Andrew and Laura shared a remarkable journey together, having been inseparable since their college days at the University of Arizona, spanning over two decades of cherished memories and unwavering companionship.

During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Andrew and his family. We encourage everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this immense loss. 

The family kindly requests that donations be made in loving memory of Laura Swan to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona (2552 N Alvernon Way #110).

In Other Sad New...

Steve Moore, former Division President for Richmond American Homes and former SAHBA Board Member has passed away. Please keep Steve and his family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Congratulations Greater Tucson Leadership Graduates!

SAHBA congratulates recent graduates of Greater Tucson

Leadership (GTL). GTL, a nonprofit since 1980, has cultivated over 1,200 community leaders, including several from the home building industry.

SAHBA would like to congratulate and acknowledge:

Andrew Gasparro: 1st Vice Chair, Executive Officer - SAHBA Board, VP of Land at KB Home, newly appointed to GTL’s Board of Directors.

John Davison: Director of Land Acquisition, Planning & Development at Pulte Group, who has just graduated from LEAD TUCSON’s Class of 2024.

Brendan Lyons: SAHBA’s Government Affairs Director has just graduated from GTL’s CIVIC AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Class of 2024. Brendan has also just fulfilled serving 2 terms (six years) on GTL’s Board of Directors.

GTL focuses on leadership education, professional development, and civic engagement through programs that enhance skills, connections, and community awareness. Their initiatives promote understanding, discussion, problem-solving, and leadership across the community.

• The Builder and Developer Magazine just released their nowcast and they expected the March existing-home sales to rise 1.7% compared with February, but to remain approximately 16% lower than one year ago. The month-over-month progress is welcoming news for a housing market that has struggled to gain momentum. In this article, they break down the five drivers that affect sales activity.

• High housing costs are affecting households across the board, according to the latest Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies' (JCHS) latest State of the Nation's Housing report. The solution: A concerted effort to increase the supply of quality, affordable homes. Click here to read the highlights of the report.

• Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 43 in June, down two points from May, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This is the lowest reading since December 2023. Click here to read the response to the report from the NAHB Chairman and Chief Economist.

• The Inflation Reduction Act modified and extended many energy tax incentives used in residential construction, including requiring taxpayers to meet prevailing wage and/or apprenticeship requirements to claim the full value of the tax credit. The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have now released final regulations on these labor requirements.