The so-decreed "year of housing" has yet to lead to any meaningful housing policy reform and, i n fact, we have had to fight against even more disruptive legislative proposals at the state level and just as many fee increases at the local level.  Furthermore, we are only building about half of the estimated 12,000 units needed annually to maintain housing affordability in the region, so any  talk of anti-growth initiatives is doubly frustrating. On the bright side,  with a couple more years of solid growth that 12,000-unit threshold will be within our reach. However, as is usually the case with housing in our state, it is a matter of one step forward, two steps back.

 

Now while nothing concrete has emerged relative to anti-growth measures regionally, the purpose of this message is to encourage all BIA members to keep their eyes and ears open about such campaigns. We all need to be on guard, because as we have learned in the past backers of these measures are typically well-organized and possess a strong grassroots game. In the meantime, let's keep moving forward. Our industry is on track for yet another solid year and I am confident that together we will overcome any obstacles that come our way.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will consider entering the SCIP bond financing program at their meeting tomorrow. The BIA has long advocated entrance into this program to provide builders with another source of low-cost financing. The BIA has worked with the county for the last year on this issue. Please click here for more background on the issue.

 

Since the inception of this program, industry internships have seen significant growth.  Last year trade contractors hosted internships for 16 students from the Elk Grove Unified School District at one of Lennar's homebuilding sites. This year not only has the number of internships doubled at Lennar's sites and expanded to include the Sacramento City Unified School District, but an additional 45 recent high school graduates entered into summer internships with 14 trade contractors at other locations. In addition, the Foundation partnered with the Placer County Office of Education and three companies to host another seven high school juniors from Placer County schools.

 

As part of their internships, students are paid to learn about a variety of construction disciplines, including foundation laying, framing, plumbing, tiling, electrical work, shop apprenticeship, stair rail installation, and more. 

 

In an effort to make these internships available to more students next year, the Foundation has established the Skilled Trade Internship Scholarship Fund, which helps to cover the cost of hosting a student for the summer.  The Foundation is happy to be able to facilitate these internships and we look forward to making these opportunities available to even more students next year.

 

For more information or to make a donation to the internship scholarship fund, please contact Elizabeth Goldsmith.