State Updates
Janelle Chan Named New Undersecretary of Housing
On April 19, EOHED Secretary Jay Ash announced that Janelle Chan has been appointed as Undersecretary for Housing and Community Development, replacing Chrystal Kornegay who has become Executive Director of MassHousing. Before assuming her new role, Chan joined the Baker-Polito administration in 2016 as the Chief of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)where she managed real estate and asset development in line with the Open for Business initiative, which allows for transit-oriented development projects on MBTA land. Prior to joining the MBTA, Chan was executive director at Asian Community Development Corporation. In her new role, Chan will lead the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in designing and implementing housing and community development policy for the Commonwealth, including affordable housing development, public housing, federal housing and community development programs such as Community Development Block Grant and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and the emergency assistance system for homeless families and individuals. Chan is a LEED Accredited Professional in sustainable development. She was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, earned a Master in City Planning degree from M.I.T. with a specialization in Housing, Community, and Economic Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. The HBRAMA looks forward to working with Undersecretary Chan to continue to promote our Association’s agenda to increase housing production.
2018 Economic Development Summit Convened on May 1 in Worcester
On May 1, the Baker-Polito Administration hosted the 2018 Economic Development Summit at the DCU Center in Worcester, bringing together nearly 500 municipal leaders, legislators, economic development professionals, and various stakeholders including a number of HBRAMA Members, to share best practices and discuss emerging opportunities and programs that support growth. This is the second large-scale economic summit that the Baker-Polito Administration has convened, offering an opportunity for administration officials to discuss relevant legislative priorities, raise awareness for programs and tools available to communities, and solicit feedback on ways to support economic development across the state, with break-out sessions focusing on specific aspects of economic development strategy, including market-rate and affordable housing production, infrastructure, community-based innovation, workforce training, small business development, and key industry development.
Monthly BBRS Meeting Focuses on Multiple Code Issues
The monthly meeting of the Mass. Board of Building Regulations and Standards was held on May 10 to discuss a number of issues, including: (a) a proposal to adopt the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); (b) a proposal to adopt Appendix Q of the 2018 International Residential Code pertaining to “Tiny Houses” which are defined as “A dwelling which is 400 square feet or less in floor area, excluding a loft.” See Appendix Q
here
; (c) a proposal to consider adopting an amendment particular to “Micro units” which are defined as a “dwelling unit that is 200 square feet or more in floor area within the inside surface of the enclosing walls”; (d) a proposal to adopt the 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions; (e) a proposal to update NFPA 241 to the 2013 Edition to coincide with 527 CMR (Mass. Fire Prevention Safety Code) and broaden the scope beyond standpipes. Also proposed for adoption are “Frequently Asked Question” responses for Wind Borne Debris, as well as for Underfloor Protection. For more information, see the agenda
here.
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Other News of Note
MassWorks Grant Program –
2018 Round Accepting Applications
At the May 1 Economic Development Summit, Governor Baker announced the official opening of the 2018 application round for the MassWorks Infrastructure Grants program. Note that in last year’s (2017) MassWorks Program Round, several of our Association developer members successfully worked with municipalities to obtain MassWorks grants for housing projects ranging between $1.8 million and $2.7 million to pay for infrastructure costs such as roadway redevelopment, bridge repair, water main extensions, traffic signalization, and sidewalks. Completed MassWorks Grant Applications from municipalities will be accepted by the MassWorks Program between July 30 and August 10, 2018. More information on the MassWorks Program can be found
here
.
Utilities Subcommittee Continues to Push For Clarity and Consistency in Construction Utility Delivery
The Utilities Subcommittee of the Government Affairs Committee continues to work hard in pressing our agenda with National Grid and Eversource. HBRAMA through the Committee has made tremendous strides in getting utilities to subdivisions faster and with lower costs on a more consistent basis. Through years of hard work, our Association has seen much greater transparency as to how construction costs are determined. Issues which the Subcommittee continues to work on include: establishment of National Grid and Eversource web portals to enable builders to log-in and see the real time status of their jobs and the target work completion deadlines; standardized pricing of electrical and natural gas work; securing early budget estimates for the cost of gas and electrical utility work prior to final local approval of project; reducing delays in the design phase; working with utilities to allow work during traditional roadway shut-down periods in winter months; establishing a comprehensive review of the complete process of getting a utility pole set; and, formalizing timeframe benchmarks by utilities with formalized quarterly reports to ensure that process improvements are being improved and met. All of these efforts take the combined efforts and expertise of our volunteer members, and we thank
Utility Subcommittee Chair
Mark Leff, as well as other Subcommittee Members, including: Russ Leonard; Ben Fierro, Esq., Jeff Rhuda; Brian Lussier; Gary Campbell, Kevin O’Brien; Mark Ginsburg; Nick Meninno; Carl Foley and others
who have invested much time for the benefit of our Association.
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Monthly BBRS Meeting Discusses Multiple Code Issues
The monthly meeting of the Mass. Board of Building Regulations and Standards was held on May 8 to discuss a number of issues, including: (a) a proposal to adopt the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); (b) a proposal to adopt Appendix Q of the 2018 International Residential Code pertaining to “Tiny Houses” which are defined as “A dwelling which is 400 square feet or less in floor area, excluding a loft.” See Appendix Q
here
; (c) a proposal to consider adopting an amendment particular to “Micro units” which are defined as a “dwelling unit that is 200 square feet or more in floor area within the inside surface of the enclosing walls”; (d) a proposal to adopt the 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions; (e) a proposal to update NFPA 241 to the 2013 Edition to coincide with 527 CMR (Mass. Fire Prevention Safety Code) and broaden the scope beyond standpipes. Also proposed for adoption are “Frequently Asked Question” responses for Wind Borne Debris, as well as for Underfloor Protection. For more information, see the agenda
here.
The purpose of the meeting was to accept public comment on each of these issues so that the BBRS could make an informed decision at a future meeting. Thanks to Guy Web for participating in this meeting, and for monitoring ongoing issues taken up by the BBRS.
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Bringing Housing Home
April 30
th
through May 5
th
was designated as “Bringing Housing Home” week by NAHB. Builders and Associates throughout the State led by HBRAMA President Gary Campbell met with members of the House of Representatives and Senate to discuss National legislative priorities affecting housing and educated Congressional members in the following areas:
· Regulatory Reform
· Flood Insurance
· Softwood Lumber
· Housing Finance Reform
· Work Force and Immigration
President Campbell said: “The legislators acknowledged the concerns of the Home Builders and understood that housing is a driving force of the economy and that many of the priorities of the Builders were needed to provide both a sufficient and affordable supply of housing in the country.”
Meetings were held in the District offices of Congressmen Capuano, Neal, McGovern and Kennedy as well as Senator Warren. A future meeting is being set up with Congressman Keating.
For a full description of the Home Builders national priorities please click
here.
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Join us on the Hill
June 7
th
will the Legislative Day for the Association in Boston. The goal is to have at least 10 people from each local participate. Talking points in support of the Housing Choice and Zoning Reform legislation will be prepared for Members to use when meeting with their representatives.
Following the meetings with legislators there will be a fundraiser luncheon for Speaker DeLeo. If you are interested in joining us, please contact your local EO or send an email to
admin@hbrama.com
.
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We would like to thank our volunteer members who take the time to serve on a subcommittee, testify before legislative committee, meet with individual legislators, meet with agency leaders, or who otherwise contribute their time to the many issues facing our industry. We also welcome new volunteers who do not have to be an expert in any one area, but who might be willing to learn and participate in one of the many Association efforts.
To find out how you might participate, please contact our State Executive Officer, Joe Landers, at jlanders@hbrama.com, or by phone at 617-773-3305, or GAC Chair, John Smolak at jsmolak@ smolakvaughan.com.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Association, so we are counting on you for your continued support.
Many thanks to our volunteers working for your Association. Without your efforts, much of the progress we have made this year would not have been possible.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on May 22.
NOTE NEW MEETING LOCATION:
Lowes Regional Office
293 Boston Post Rd. Suite 510
Marlborough, MA
Make sure you plug in WEST to your GPS as there is a Boston Post Rd. and a Boston Post Rd. East
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The Official Blog of the National Association of Home Builders and your one-stop source for home building industry news, product information and educational resources.
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The Official Commercial Insurance Provider of HBRAMA.
For more information, Contact John Varitimos at 508-263-2205 or
john.varitimos@arcadia-ins.com
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465 Waverley Oaks Rd
Suite 421
Waltham, MA 02452
P: 617-773-3305
F: 781-647-7222
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Local Events
9 BRAGB
10 & 17 Cape Cod
11 HBRAWM
15 HBRAWM
16 BRAGB
16 HBRAWM
17 & 18 Central MA
17 & 18 HBRAWM
23 BRAGB
23 HBRAWM
24 & 25 HBRAWM
31 Cape Cod
State Events
22 Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting
22
HBRAMA Board of Directors Meeting
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