May 13, 2020
Texas AG Issues Letter to COA and Travis County Regarding Recent Orders

On May 12, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a letter to Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and City of Austin Mayor Stephen Adler instructing them to update and clarify their Orders to conform with State law.
HBA Webinar: PPP Forgiveness – What You Need to Know

Thursday, May 14
3:00 - 3:30 pm
Now you have the PPP loan, but how can you be sure the debt will be forgiven? This webinar will focusing on answering your questions about bookkeeping and tracking for the SBA loans. Tune in to learn what expenses can be forgiven and what to do with your furloughed or laid off employees.

Presented by HBA Member Revolutions Bookkeepers
HBA Webinar: Home Building Industry Advocate,
Texas Congressman Michael McCaul

Wednesday, May 27
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Don’t miss this rare and exclusive opportunity to hear from and interact with Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas’ 10th District which stretches from Austin to Houston. 

Thanks in large part to Congressman McCaul, our industry has been able to continue operations during this unprecedented time in history. He worked swiftly and fervently to ensure home building construction and supporting businesses were added to the US DHS CISA 2.0 Order prior to being excluded in the first version of the Order. 

Congressman McCaul will update HBA Members on the current state of affairs and then take questions from the audience. Express your appreciation for Congressman McCaul’s significant efforts in keeping Austin building during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Interested in submitting a question for Congressman McCaul?
Submit by sending an email by May 26 to info@hbaaustin.com
Opening Central Texas Task Force
Recommendations Released

Several HBA Staff and Members are part of this Task Force that has more than 125 members representing a wide range of interests, including small and large businesses in multiple industry sectors, business membership organizations, and community groups that support the needs of business such as transportation, public health and safety. This group has been tasked with providing insight and recommendations on best practices as we reopen our community. Recommendations from the Task Force were recently identified and released.
Tito's Handmade Vodka Donates Hand Sanitizer to Essential Businesses

Tito’s Handmade Vodka  is producing and donating hand sanitizer to those in need. If you need hand sanitizer for your job sites, please submit your request below and  note “Home Builders Association” in the “Referral” box . We ask that you reserve this donation offer for 
those essential businesses that are truly in need. 
Online Broadcast: Reverse National Town Hall
Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 pm
You are invited to join “A View From You” an online broadcast and national conversation on COVID-19 .  Rather than a traditional Town Hall, this event requires feedback from participants and other members of the community. 

Panelists include:

  • Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin, Texas
  • Dr. Mark Washington, City Manager, City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Chief Art Acevedo, Houston Police Department
  • Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Travis County
  • Lee Feldman, City Manager, City of Gainesville, Florida
HUD Allocates $1 Billion for Community COVID-19 Relief Efforts

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the allocation of a third wave in CARES Act coronavirus relief funding totaling $1 billion through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
Other News
2020 Professional Women in Building Scholarship Applications Due May 31

The HBA Professional Women in Building Council will award two $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing a college degree who are a HBA member, dependents of an HBA member, or an HBA member's employee. The deadline to submit an application for these scholarships is May 31, 2020.
Presentation: Free FEMA Flood Insurance
Stakeholder Workshop for Central Texas

May 19 or 20
10:00 am - Noon
FEMA will be giving an update on mapping projects affecting 10 counties followed by a discussion of how map changes affect insurance requirements and rating options. We’ll also include a discussion about recent changes to the flood insurance program and include a brief overview of the private flood insurance. It will end with summary of resources and tools to help them understand and explain changing flood risk and flood insurance rating options. These are approved for 2 hours of CEC for insurance agents and Certified Floodplain Managers.
Your HBA Staff, Board and other volunteer Members,
continue to work diligently to advocate on behalf of all HBA Members
to keep the construction industry moving so our community has safe housing.

Please visit the HBA COVID-19 web page for updates
This information is not intended to provide legal advice, nor be the authority on COVID-19
updates, and we cannot guarantee real-time updates on every matter. We provide this
information as a courtesy for you to use in conjunction with your due diligence.