July 28, 2023

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

2023 New Members & Membership Committee Appreciation
"Thank You" to Outdoor Workers
"Of the Year" Profile - Alia Jones
Pygmy Owl Granted Threatened Species Status
Industry Comments on One Water Plan
Sahuarita ROW Permit Update
Marana to Host Meeting with Builders About Damage to Public Roads
Challenges Securing Water Meters in Marana
Member Benefits: SAHBA Home Show
The Power of Real Estate Event Recap
Coffee with County Administrator
Summer Mixer
Members Connect
Charity Golf Classic - Thank you, Sponsors!
Upcoming Councils & Committees
Industry News

We would like to recognize SAHBA's amazing membership committee and all of our dedicated members. Thanks to your hard work and referrals, we have welcomed 53 new members this year!

Their efforts in spreading the word about SAHBA and encouraging others to join have not gone unnoticed. Because of your support, our membership continues to grow, and with each new member, we strengthen the viability of the home building industry.

Let's keep the momentum and strive for even more growth in the coming months. Together, we can make SAHBA an even stronger community for home builders and industry professionals.

Thank you again for all that you do!

SAHBA Membership Committee

Priscilla Storm, Diamond Ventures (Chair)

Scott Joiner, KB Home (Co-Chair)

Joe McMahon, Action Imaging Group

Katharine Kent, The Solar Store

Mike Vasquez, Vasquez Custom Construction

Nikki Kennedy, AMH

Shanna Lee, Cadden Community Management

Scott Polston, Garment Graphics

For all member referrals or to join the membership committee, please contact Yvette Pederson. Yvette@sahba.org | 520-918-2368

"Thank You" to Outdoor Workers

To our builder trade partners who are out there in the heat day in and day out, we appreciate your dedication and hard work. You play such an essential role in shaping our neighborhoods and creating spaces where we can live, work, and thrive.

Thank you to all the construction tradespeople braving the scorching heat to build our communities. Working outside can be incredibly challenging with record-breaking temperatures, but you all continue to show up and get the job done.

But it's not just the construction trades that deserve recognition. To everyone working outdoors in this extreme weather, whether you're landscaping, delivering packages, or doing any other job that keeps our communities running smoothly – thank you! Your commitment doesn't go unnoticed.

Honor an outdoor worker with a simple "Thank You" or even offer up a cold beverage.

2022 Builder Sales Manager of the Year

Alia Jones

SAHBA is proud to recognize Alia Jones as the 2022 Builder Sales Manager of the Year. Alia is the Vice President of Sales/Marketing/Design Studio for KB Home | Tucson Division. Alia has over twenty years of industry experience, primarily as part of the team at KB. She supervises the Director as well as the Manager of Sales with another 18 sales professionals in the field. Alia is also responsible for the oversight of the Design Studio Manager and consultants, along with the sales and marketing coordinators. As a tenured individual in her field, Alia is consistently tapped as a training resource for other divisions across the country, particularly recently opened and smaller divisions.

Alia was key to KB’s 2022 success where the Tucson Division achieved its second strongest gross sales year since 2007. The year brought unprecedented challenges as cancellations soared with rising interest rates and economic uncertainty. Alia deeply understands how to keep her sales team motivated, engaged, and sometimes consoled despite their very diverse levels of experience and backgrounds. She demonstrated a high level of problem-solving and was unafraid to implement new ideas and processes to improve success along with her team’s feeling of success.

Alia also extends her commitment to service to both SAHBA and her community. Alia served as Chair or Co-Chair of the SAHBA Sales & Marketing Council for over 10 years. She consistently ensures that her team is involved in SAHBA events with participation, sponsorship, or volunteering. In 2022, Alia led her team to provide 420 blankets to a local Tucson homeless shelter through the Sackcloth & Ashes program. She also actively participates in the KB Cares charitable committee to lead annual toy drives, United Way Days of Caring, and back-to-school drives for Youth on their Own.

We applaud Alia’s leadership and commitment to her profession, her team, and her community.

Tier 2 Early Bird Discount Ends August 11th!

Get ready for the SAHBA Home Show on October 6-8, 2023! Reserve your booth before August 11th and receive an additional $100 off each 10x10 booth! View the show map here.

Sponsorships are available now for the 2023 Fall Home Show. Click here for all sponsorship information.

Also, mark your calendars for October 6 for the Home Show Blood Drive sponsored by the SAHBA Remodelers Council! Click here to reserve your donation timeslot today.

For all Home Show inquiries, please contact Alex Zukowski.

Alexandra@sahba.org | 520-918-2362

ADVOCACY

Pygmy Owl Granted Threatened Species Status

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Pygmy Owl) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. As SAHBA members know, when the Pygmy Owl was listed as an endangered species in 1997, it had serious ramifications on home building in Pima County. That listing essentially caused growth to come to a standstill. As a result, SAHBA, along with HBACA and NAHB, successfully sued to have the listing overturned. Since that time, there have been several attempts by environmental groups to secure new protections for the Pygmy Owl. To this point, USFWS has not done so.

The practical implications of this new decision are still being evaluated by SAHBA and our partners. We are actively working with a team of attorneys and biologists in order to provide proper guidance to our members. This may take weeks or months. At this time the USFWS has not proposed “critical habitat,” but that decision is imminent. We expect that process to play out over the next several months. That will also significantly shape the impacts of the listing decision. Additionally, SAHBA has been working with representatives from Pima County to arrange an informational session with our members to talk about the Pima County Multi-Species Conservation plan and the benefits to landowners who opt-in to the program.

We will continue to provide updates and new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, please contact David Godlewski at david@sahba.org if you have any questions.

Industry Comments on One Water Plan

SAHBA, TAR and AMA (Arizona Multi-Housing Association) submitted comprehensive comments on Tucson Water’s One Water 2100 Plan draft. The plan is Tucson’s long-range master plan. It establishes water management strategies for the next 100 years. Tucson has been a national leader in the area of water management and conservation. The draft is designed to continue us on that path. As representatives of companies who will be responsible for, or affected by, many of the strategies, we felt it was important to share our perspectives and suggestions. Development and construction that is highly water efficient has been a key element to our region’s success in the area of conservation. This should be recognized and celebrated. It’s also important to consider facts and evaluate the costs and benefits of all future strategies. Click here to read the full letter.

Sahuarita ROW Permit Update

As previously reported, the Town of Sahuarita is planning to implement a permit for work (specifically sidewalks) in the Right of Way. The intent had been to implement the program in early July. The rollout has been delayed and will likely occur on September 1. SAHBA is currently collaborating with Town officials on specific details and attempting to ensure a streamlined process. Please reach out to Jennifer Barosso at jennifer@sahba.org with any questions.

Marana to Host Meeting with Builders About Damage to Public Roads

The Town has requested a meeting with the builders on August 2, 2023, to discuss the damage that has been occurring to public roads within the subdivisions from the large roll-off dumpsters. Please contact David Godlewski at david@sahba.org if you have any questions.

Challenges Securing Water Meters in Marana

SAHBA has learned it is difficult to get water meters from Marana Water. We have reached out to town officials to assist in working through the challenges. If you are experiencing similar issues, please contact David Godlewski at david@sahba.org.

MEMBER BENEFITS

Want to showcase your company at the home show? Here's some exciting news for SAHBA members - you can save big on a booth! It's the perfect opportunity to get your brand out there and connect with potential customers.

By taking advantage of this offer, you'll be able to make a lasting impression on attendees and stand out from the crowd. Whether you're in the construction industry, home renovation, or any other related field, having a booth at the home show can do wonders for your business.

Reserve your booth before August 11th to receive both the tier 2 early bird discount and the SAHB member discount - a total of $200 off each 10x10 booth! View the show map here.

Sponsorships are available now for the 2023 Fall Home Show. Click here for all sponsorship information.

Also, mark your calendars for October 6 for the Home Show Blood Drive sponsored by the SAHBA Remodelers Council! Click here to reserve your donation timeslot today.

For all Home Show inquiries, please contact Alex Zukowski.

Alexandra@sahba.org | 520-918-2362

MEETINGS & EVENTS

The Power of Real Estate Event Recap

SAHBA partnered with the Tucson Association of Realtors, Southern Arizona CCIM Chapter, and Metropolitan Pima Alliance to host another Power of Real Estate event on “Realizing the Potential of State Trust Land.” Over 100 attendees packed into the room to listen in on this informative discussion with representatives from AZ State Land and major players in the development/building industry including SAHBA members Amy McReynolds (KB Home), Alex Rihl (AMH) & Jeremy Sharpe (Sharpe & Associates/Rancho Sahuarita). Mayor of Oro Valley Joe Winfield, Mayor of Sahuarita Tom Murphy, and Mayor of Marana Ed Honea also attended the event with representatives from their respective jurisdictions.

Coffee with... Jan Lesher, Pima County Administrator

Join us for coffee to hear directly from the Pima County Administrator! This is an excellent opportunity to voice your concerns, ask questions and stay ahead of the curve by connecting with a key decision-maker shaping Pima County's landscape.

Friday, August 4, 2023

TAR (2445 N Tucson Blvd)

9:00 AM

Summer Member Mixer

Meet with fellow members for Happy Hour at Whiskey Roads to enjoy light appetizers and an open bar. Special thanks to Escalante Concrete for sponsoring the mixer!

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Whiskey Roads (2290 W Ina Rd)

4:30-6:30 PM

Members Connect

New members and even the most seasoned SAHBA members may not be taking advantage of the many benefits SAHBA offers.

This event will be a casual meeting with the opportunity to ask questions to SAHBA staff and members. Attendees will also have the chance to introduce their company to the group. Thank you to Garment Graphics & Promotional Products for sponsoring the event.

This event is filling up quickly. We encourage you to register soon as space is limited.

Join the SAHBA team for breakfast on

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

SAHBA Boardroom

8:00-9:00 AM

Charity Golf Classic: Benefitting The Pete Herder Memorial Scholarship Fund

Friday, September 9th

Omni Tucson National Resort

6 A.M. Registration, 7:30 A.M. Shotgun Start

All Foursomes - SOLD OUT (waitlist available)

Sponsorships are still available!- click here to download the flyer.

A BIG "Thank you" to all sponsors for making this event possible! Click here to check out this year's sponsor lineup.

For all Golf Classic inquiries, please contact Courtney Kinion

Courtney@sahba.org | 520-918-2363

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Tuesday, August 1st at 7:30 am (SAHBA)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, August 2nd at 12 pm (SAHBA)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, August 8th at 12 pm (Hybrid)

Tech Committee - Tuesday, August 15th at 3:30 pm (Hybrid)

Membership Committee - Tuesday, August 22nd at 3 pm (SAHBA)

INDUSTRY NEWS

NAHB is hosting a virtual townhall meeting on August 30th that is open to all members to provide feedback to NAHB Leadership on emerging issues in their local communities. This feedback will assist in curating agendas for the Fall Leadership Meeting, September 19- 21. Click here to register for Arizona's region.

The Home Builders Insitute released its latest Construction Labor Market Report and shared key findings on labor shortages. One result of the survey was at least 90% of single-family builders reported a shortage of carpenters and 80 - 85% reported a shortage of subcontractors in 6 other trades. This shortage is also echoed by more than 80% of remodelers who reported a shortage of subcontractors in 11 of the 16 trades. Continue reading the market report and see HBI's recommendation on what 3 urgent priorities the construction industry must focus on.

Registration is open for NAHB's 2023 Fall Leadership Meeting which is scheduled for September 19 - 21 in Palm Springs, California! All SAHBA members are welcome to attend and can register here. The tentative meeting schedule can be found here.

On the latest episode of NAHB's Housing Developments podcast, co-hosts CEO Jim Tobin and SVP Paul Lopez discuss builder confidence, interest rate concerns that are dampening optimism, NAHB testimony on regulatory burden on home building and how NAHB is pushing back on House efforts to eliminate Job Corps. Tune in on your favorite podcast app or listen here.

Sales of newly built, single-family homes in June fell 2.5% to 697,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised reading in May, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, new home sales are up 23.8% from a year ago. The NAHB chairman and assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis comment on the recent report in this article.