HBA Rockford

By Dennis Sweeney, Executive Vice President of HBA Rockford

Nobody asked me but… Every elected official supports affordable housing, it’s how to be affordable that they don’t agree on.

The comments section following NAHB online articles often provide some excellent insights from builders and suppliers about government policies and how they impact the industry. Following an online article about a proposed government program to create more affordable housing, a builder from, I believe Georgia,
commented:

In my career I have built hundreds
of these affordable units. They cost the same to
build as any other housing unit. [He is referring
to the cost of labor.] The only thing that makes
them affordable is the program subsidy to build
them, and, often live in them.

Years ago when there were debates about building a more affordable house, HBAR builders came up with a sample list of the lowest cost options in a new house that would still meet code if that is what a buyer wanted the most affordable square foot new home possible using the least expensive materials available without even getting into bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, basements, etc., but then new home
buyers would get more for their housing dollar in an existing home.

A few years ago, a real estate agent told me that if you had an existing or new home listing without solid surface counter tops and tile floors in the kitchen and baths, people turned around and walked out of the open house.

Other cost cutting items in new construction that are unthinkable in this market include no basement, no garage, no air conditioning, no dishwasher, good luck selling an affordable house without these features and then reselling it someday.

At the margin, there will be people who cannot afford to buy a house. The objective should be policies to shrink that number, not subsidize it. The alternative for creating affordable housing that will stand the test of time is to reduce regulations and taxes; grow the economy and leave the government bureaucracy out of the affordability formula.

By Dennis Sweeney, Executive Vice President
HBA of the Greater Rockford Area

It takes months to build a new house but just minutes for it to be wrecked by a fire, tornado, or flash flood. And then it takes months to rebuild it.

It takes years to rebuild a healthy national economy and just months to tip it back into stagflation and recession. And then it takes years to rebuild it. When economists say the jury is still out on whether or not there will be a recession, it sounds to me like wishful thinking and whistling past the cemetery.

With inflation on the rise, transportation fuel costs at all time highs, and, increased costs for natural gas and electricity to cool and heat your homes and businesses – compare those unit costs to a year ago -people are running out of money, or, worrying about running out of money.

When that happens, consumers cut back on discretionary future “wants” spending to save money for their existing “needs” like rents, mortgages, gas, cars, food, utilities, school, etc. And because consumer spending makes up about 66% of GDP in a healthy economy, the economy is going to shrink and that is a recession.

Today inflation is over 8.0% ; the average 30 year fixed rate mortgage is 7.168% , car loan bank rates are around 5.0% and the arrow is pointed up for all three. The Federal Reserve has increased the Federal Funds Rate by 75 basis points and promised there will be future increases to curb inflation. The Federal Reserve is getting no help curbing inflation from the Legislative and Executive branches of government through spending and tax cuts, and deregulation. The Federal Reserve goal is to have inflation back in the 2.0% range in 2024.

It’s going to be a long two years.

Three is not a crowd when the leading housing industry trade shows take place at the same time in 2023, furthering the offering of what attendees can see next year. The National Hardware Show® (NHS), NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS) will take place during Design & Construction Week.

One registration provides access to all three shows. Early bird discount registrations open September 1st. Plan now to be in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, January 31 – February 2, 2023. Learn more about each of the shows:

• IBS
• KBIS
• NHS