NAHB applauded the EPA's decision last week to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule in order to give remodelers and other contractors more time to get trained. The decision will also give the government more time to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler. "EPA listened to our concerns and did the right thing," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones in our official statement on June 21. In revised guidance that the agency recently released, it acknowledges that remodelers in many parts of the country have been unable to obtain the required training to comply with the rule — a problem that NAHB has urged EPA to solve since the rule was announced two years ago. This issue came to a head in May after floods devastated parts of Tennessee and there weren't enough certified remodelers to complete the much-needed home repairs. NAHB and the state home builders association proposed a delay in enforcing the rule at that time, and our answer came with EPA's announcement (which used much of the same language that was in our request). Importantly, in its decision to delay enforcement of the rule, EPA said that remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including the use of special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, but that EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year. Individual contractors, it said, must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete that training by Dec. 31, 2010.

Seeking clarification of the EPA's announcement and an opportunity to discuss the agency's recent proposal to require clearance testing, NAHB Remodelers leaders Bob Hanbury and Bob Peterson traveled to Washington this week to meet with EPA Assistant Administrator Steve Owens and other agency officials. Unfortunately, before the meeting, the Assistant Administrator's office ruled out any discussion on the confusion surrounding EPA's decision to extend the deadline for enforcing lead paint certification requirements through this September. Instead, we were told that another division within the agency will issue clarifying language, including an explanation of how remodelers and other contractors can be expected to abide by lead-safe work practices before they've been able to obtain the necessary training.  At the agency's request, NAHB has provided EPA with suggestions on how to ensure remodelers work safely before they get trained, such as by taking advantage of the online training program offered by the Oregon Home Builders Association.

Focusing on the issue of clearance testing during their meeting at EPA headquarters, our representatives explained that this requirement would add greater expense, increase liability and further blur the lines between remodeling and lead paint abatement contractors. It would also require additional technical training for the industry when remodelers are already struggling to obtain training in existing certification requirements. Going forward, NAHB will continue our work with EPA toward a sensible lead paint work practices rule and the agency's implementation of a public relations campaign that will encourage consumers to choose a lead-paint certified remodeler rather than complete the potentially dangerous work themselves. Contact: MondayMorningQuestions@nahb.org.

The latest numbers on sales of newly built, single-family homes, released by the U.S. Commerce Department on June 23, were sobering, though not unexpected. While a decline in activity was anticipated following the expiration of the home buyer tax credit program at the end of April, the 32.7% drop-off to a mere 300,000-unit seasonally adjusted annual pace — the lowest on record — was certainly disconcerting. NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe noted that the big drop-off emphasizes how effective the tax credit program was in bringing home buyers back to the market, and expressed confidence that the post-tax-credit lull will only be temporary. "Once this 'hangover' subsides," he said, "we believe that the improving economy, rising employment, excellent mortgage rates and stabilizing home values will be strong incentives that will encourage home buyers to return to the market." Read NAHB's press release for more information, or see the government's report online.

Newly released population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area has added more residents than any other metro in the past decade. The area became home to about 1.3 million additional people between 2000 and 2009, expanding its population by 25%. Meanwhile, the largest percentage increase in residents over the past decade was claimed by the Palm Coast metro area in Florida, which saw its population expand by 84% to about 92,000 people. Other big gainers in terms of real numbers included Atlanta, which has added more than 1.2 million people, Houston, which added 1.15 million, Phoenix, up by 1.11 million, and Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif., up by 900,000 residents. Cities with the highest percentage growth included St. George, Utah, with a 52% gain, Provo, Utah, with a 47% gain, Raleigh, N.C., with a 41% gain and Greeley, Colo., with a 41% gain. The metro area that lost the greatest number of residents and percentage of its population over the past decade was New Orleans, which is now in the process of bouncing back following losses sustained after Hurricane Katrina. The fastest-growing large county in the U.S. over the past decade was found to be Kendall County, Ill., an outlying suburb of Chicago, followed by Pinal County, Ariz., which is about 40 miles outside of Phoenix; Rockwall, Texas, an outer suburb of Dallas; Loudoun County, Va., outside of Washington, D.C.; and Flagler County, Fla., about an hour outside of Jacksonville. In looking at the Census results, however, it's important to understand that population gains in many of the fastest-growing areas occurred during the economic and housing boom years, and several areas at the top of the Census list are currently battling double-digit unemployment and high foreclosure rates. For more analysis, read CNNMoney.com's stories on fastest-growing metros and fastest-growing counties.The Census Bureau data can be accessed at http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.html.

NAHB has ready-made print, radio, TV and Web banner advertisements designed to help you make the case that now is a good time to buy a home. They're free for your use as an NAHB member and can be accessed right here on NAHB.org. A variety of consumer-focused ads are available. For example, one of our ads is aimed at qualified members of the armed services who are still eligible to take advantage of home buyer tax credits through April 30, 2011. We also have some great eye-catching ads that carry messages about the benefits of homeownership; these are ideal for use during National Homeownership Month or anytime throughout the year. We even have 30-second customizable TV spots that our HBAs can use to promote the many reasons that are out there to buy a home right now. If you haven't checked out these excellent resources yet, take a look, and also check out the resources within NAHB's National Homeownership Month toolkit. We hope you will find them to be helpful tools in attracting consumer attention to the benefits of homeownership. If you have questions about employing these items as part of your marketing campaign, contact NAHB's Public Affairs office at 800-368-5242, x8447.

NOTE: If you choose to customize or use any part of an ad, you must adhere to applicable regulations and discrimination prohibitions governing advertising related to the sale or rental of dwellings. Title VIII of the Fair Housing Act prohibits the use of selective models in media advertising the sale or rental of housing that cater to one racial origin without complementary advertising directed at other groups. It is recommended that you consult with your legal counsel on these matters. 

A special edition of Nation's Building News (NBN) published on June 21 was devoted exclusively to NAHB’s efforts to combat the acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) credit crisis and appraisal problems that are hampering the housing recovery. The issue features a message on the AD&C loan crisis from NAHB Chairman Bob Jones to the entire federation. Bob's statement outlines NAHB’s ongoing actions in working with regulators, banks, members of Congress, Washington policymakers and the media to sound the alarm about the severe lack of credit for viable home building projects and the critical need for regulatory and legislative solutions. If you have concerns about AD&C lending and appraisal problems or are seeking more information on resources available to NAHB members, we encourage you to check out the special NBN edition and share it with your colleagues. Contact: Tim Ahern, 800-368-5242, x8405.

NAHB's Best in American Living Awards (BALA) are designed to shine a spotlight on the most creative and innovative builders, designers, developers, architects, land planners and interior designers in the business. These awards are sponsored by the NAHB Design Committee, which is actively seeking entries from now until the Sept. 1, 2010 deadline. Winners will be announced at the 2011 International Builders' Show in Orlando, and highlighted on NAHB.org for one full year thereafter. With 32 award categories from which to choose, your company should certainly be in the running. We'll also be awarding one winner in each of nine geographic regions and picking an official "Home of the Year" and "Community of the Year" from the ranks of those participating. So if you have a project that makes you particularly proud, why not nominate it for a prestigious BALA award? Winning is a sure way to draw extra attention to the fine work that your company does. Visit  www.nahb.org/bala for more information, including entry requirements, an online registration form, judging criteria and a list of past BALA award winners. Your contact is Jaclyn Toole at 800-368-5242, x8469.

The Monday Morning Briefing will not be published on Monday, July 5, and NAHB offices will be closed in observance of the federal holiday on that day. Please stay tuned for our next edition dated July 12. We hope all of our readers enjoy a safe and pleasant holiday weekend!