CBIA Report Articles
There is no question it will be a fun day of golf and we hope you will join us on the course on Friday, August 6th. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about this year’s tournament, please contact Vanessa Griffin. (vgriffin@nwhm.com).
Click here to fill out the registration form or learn about sponsorship opportunities. This tournament will sell out. If you are interested in playing, please sign up today.
BITA is currently located at 43 high schools throughout California. For questions about expanding BITA to a high school near you or how you and your organization can get involved with your local BITA program, please reach out to Brittany Albaugh at balbaugh@mychf.org or Jill Herman jherman@mychf.org.
For questions about BITA at RBVHS, please contact Assistant Principal, Christine Corrao christinecorrao@vistausd.org.
This is a PWB members-only event (local and statewide) and space is limited! If you are interested in participating, please email Stacy Beers sbeers@pacificinterwest.com with your preferred meeting preferences – please copy and paste the language below and check the boxes.
All meetings are Tuesday, June 22, 2021
[ X ] 9:00am REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION - Morning Briefing with CBIA Team & PWB Attendees
[ ] 10:00 am Assemblymember Buffy Wicks office – Melanie Morelos, Legislative Director
Buffy Wicks is a lifelong organizer, passionate progressive, and current California State Assemblymember, representing the 15th District in the East Bay. The district encompasses the northern coastal East Bay, occupying a narrow strip between the shores of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays and the Berkeley Hills. The district is centered on Berkeley and Richmond, along with a sizable portion of Oakland.
First elected in 2018, Buffy lives in Oakland with her husband Peter and two daughters, Jojo and Elly. https://buffywicks.com/meetbuffy/
[ ] 2:00 pm Assemblymember Laurie Davies
Laurie Ann Davies serves in the California State Assembly. A Republican, she represents the 73rd district, encompassing southern Orange County. Prior to her election to the Assembly, she was the Mayor of Laguna Niguel and a member of the Laguna Niguel City Council. https://www.daviesforca.com/meet
[ ] 3:00 pm Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh represents the 23rd Senate District. The district encompasses a wide arc of the Inland Empire, circling clockwise from Rancho Cucamonga in the northwest to Menifee in the south. It also includes several resort communities in the San Bernardino Mountains and a sliver of the High Desert. https://ochoa-bogh.cssrc.us/biography
[ ] 3:30 pm Assemblymember Suzette Martinez Valladares
Suzette Martinez Valladares serves as a a member of the California State Assembly from the 38th district. Elected in 2020, she assumed office on December 7, 2020. The district encompasses the outer northwestern suburbs of Los Angeles. It consists of the Santa Clarita Valley and Simi Valley, along with parts of the San Fernando Valley, the Sierra Pelona Mountains, and Soledad Canyon. https://suzettevalladares.com/about-suzette/
Many of us each have a unique story of how we got into this industry. For some, it was their parents who introduced them into the industry, and for others, a program or friend provided such opportunities. However, for many Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) and college students, high-level extracurricular programs are not always an option. To them, the very idea that someone would “take a chance on me” or “believe in me” seems like a farce today. So, in response, we have asked them: Let us, professionals of the homebuilding industry, be the individual and opportunity that you have not believed to exist.
Becoming a mentor can literally change the trajectory of not only a student’s career, but also their entire life for the good.
The California Homebuilding Foundation would like to thank the Bridge Corps Advisory Board for their passion, commitment, and dedication to the CHF scholarship and BITA students.
To learn more about the Bridge Corps or how you can become a mentor, please contact Brittany Albaugh balbaugh@mychf.org or Sarah Kilburn, skilburn@designlineinteriors.com.
Best of Show- Design Competition: Sutter Union High School – BITA Program
Best of Show- Build Competition: Maple School District
Best of Show- Open Competition: Winters High School
Best of Show- Kitchen Sink Competition: Sundale Union Elementary School District
Craftsmanship Award: Sultana High School – BITA Program
People’s Choice: Winters High School
Architectural Award- Open Competition: Concord High School
Architectural Award- Design Competition: Live Oak High School
Honorable Mention: Linden High School
Wayne Johnson Safety Award: Sutter Union High School – BITA Program
Rookie Team Award: Galt High School – BITA Program
Digital industry nomads are interested in making room for more adventurous yet affordable lifestyles. According to Yelp and Zillow reports, these are the top 10 U.S. cities that offer a balance of adventure and affordability for young professionals. Listing from 1-10, the list reads: Jacksonville, Florida; Austin, Texas; Boise, Idaho; Nashville, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; San Jose, California; Fort Collins, Colorado; Asheville, North Carolina; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
What makes Jacksonville, Florida number one on the list?
Out of the 10 listed, Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city in the United States. The city of Jacksonville is well known for its scenery and year-round beach weather. Additionally, Jacksonville is one the most affordable cities of Florida, with a typical rent rate of $960 per month, which is $363 cheaper than Austin, Texas, who is placed second on the list, and $535 cheaper than the number three spot: Boise, Idaho. The downside to Jacksonville is the amount of interest it has been generating. In the current fast-paced market, the popularity of this location may make it difficult to find an available listing.
As digital work becomes a norm for many, a change in lifestyle may become a priority. For young professionals able to move from location to location, this top 10 list is one to consider.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
When the 1968 Fair Housing Act passed, benefits only lasted around three decades. Government sponsored redlining was lifted, allowing non-white Americans to buy, rent and finance for homes of their choice. People of color were also able to apply for loans and were given a better chance with mortgage rate applications. The tip of the bell curve ended around 2000, when forces within and outside of the housing market came together to reduce the rate of non-white homeownership. With an uptick in gentrification and redlining, non-whites were again left behind in the housing market.
To give perspective, in 1960 there was a 27 point gap in African American homeownership and white homeownership (38% and 65%, respectively). In the fourth quarter of 2020, the point gap in homeownership between African Americans and white Americans was 30.4 (44.1% and 74.5%), while the point gap between Hispanic Americans and white Americans was 25.4 (49.1% and 74.5%). Lastly, when comparing the 2020 point gap between Asian, Native, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans to white Americans, it comes out to a 15 point gap (59.5% and 74.5%). These gaps in homeownership all come down to a lack of resources and education regarding the housing market. Household debt-to-income ratios are also a part of the reason people of color have lower chances of owning a home. Considering that the majority of non-white families have total salaries either at or below the medium income range for the U.S., this poses challenges when applying for loans and mortgage rates, especially if there is student debt involved.
Overall, there have been recent plans put in place to solve this growing problem in the U.S., including President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan and Sacramento’s 8-year strategy to combat redlining by 2029. Plans like these aim to expand affordable housing and stop redlining. With Sacramento’s 8-year strategy alone, the idea is to change zoning laws to allow multifamily housing options in single family neighborhoods. By changing zoning laws, investing in communities and lifting biased restrictions, plans like these could increase homeownership for people of color significantly.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
According to Zillow Reports, half of renters and 39% of homebuyers put off buying a new home due to their student debt. Many potential homebuyers, particularly homebuyers of color, find themselves with burdening debt-to-income (DTI) ratios which disqualify them from even applying for a mortgage. The DTI ratio measures what percentage of a consumer's income goes towards paying off debt. The rule of thumb for a safe DTI is to keep it under the 36% mark. To qualify for an FHA loan, however, a consumer must have a DTI of 31% or lower. For a conventional loan, the acceptable DTI rate is 28% or lower. To put this into perspective, the average monthly income in California is around $5,000. If a person's monthly expenses come out to be $1,500, that means their DTI will be 30%. When adding a payment plan for outstanding debt to this equation, this math may look a little different for those who have student loans.
Households that have a lower than average monthly income, particularly Black and Latinx households, have even lower chances of buying a home with student loan debt. According to Zillow Reports, more than two-thirds (68.7%) of Black households and a large portion of Latinx households (52.6%) spend more than 28% of their income on housing alone. With these financial burdens, these borrowers will be disqualified from the majority of mortgage loans.
Overall, millennial and Gen Z college graduates are having a harder time becoming homeowners as they try to pay off student debt. As the costs of tuition bypass average salaries in the U.S, the prime years for home buying is being pushed back. Younger U.S citizens may be purchasing their firsts homes a lot later than what was previously conceived as normal.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
During the pandemic, ,many Americans were forced to relocate to more affordable locations. The aftermath of this was contrary to their intentions. From San Francisco to Sacramento, New York to Kingston, citizens migrated to cities where the residents earned less and rent would be manageable amid the financial crisis. In hopes of affordability, they were met with increases to the median rent of their prospective city.
Migrators still found the increased rent in their new municipality more affordable than that of their original residency. The concern in this situation is the struggle for affordability faced by those already living in these affordable locations. Due to the increasing rent rates, locals are faced with financial challenges. This problem also makes it increasingly difficult for locals to compete in the housing market.
Things may get back to normal as vaccinations increase and cities begin to reopen, considering the possibility that people will return to their original places of residency.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
Recent CIRB articles have discussed the urgency for affordable housing in California.
For those who are deciding to stay in the Golden State, the search for affordable housing
options may be difficult. Fortunately, CAR released data regarding the California housing
affordability index for 2020 Q4 (October 1 - December 31).
According to the data, the most affordable region of California is the Central Valley as well as
the far north. The median price range for the Central Valley during the fourth quarter of 2020
was $285,000 - $670,000. To purchase property up in the far north of the state, homebuyers
were looking at a range of $215,000 - $405,000. These price ranges are far more affordable
compared to the median price range of $720,000 - $1,690,000 in the Bay Area. Even compared
to Southern California’s $375,000 - $935,000 median price range, the Central Valley and the far
north remain attractive markets.
Coming out as the number one most affordable county during the fourth quarter of 2020 was
Lassen California, with a median home price of $215,000. Since it is still early in 2021, these
rates are still relevant for homebuyers to take advantage of.The map below displays the
contrast of California’s housing affordability index.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
In 2020, the California Homebuilding Foundation awarded over $198,000 to over 100 students. Scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students in building industry related programs.
Annual scholarship awards range from $500 to 10,000 and may be used for tuition, fees, books, materials, housing and other unmet student needs at accredited academic colleges or universities and vocational training programs.
To learn more, including how to apply, please click “California Homebuilding Foundation 2021 Scholarship Opportunities”.
Connecting People Who Care About a Prosperous Future for Homebuilding in California since 1978
The California Homebuilding Foundation’s mission is to advance the homebuilding industry in California by providing scholarships, publishing innovative research findings, and promoting workforce education programs.
How We Serve Our Community
We provide the resources and support for students to train for their future careers, continue their education, and pursue their dreams of success.
For questions, please contact Terri Brunson, Executive Director, California Homebuilding Foundation at tbrunson@mychf.org.
Solar panels can save homeowners a lot of money on their utilities bills, but that is not all that comes with owning a sun powered home. In 2019, Zillow published an article discussing how solar panels on homes can actually increase the value significantly. Zillow researchers compared the values of the homes that the site listed and sold with and without solar energy, from March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. This data includes other house attributes that affect the value of a home. The results showed that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4.1% more nationally. That 4.1% converts to an extra $9,274 when applying this increase to the median home price in 2019. With environmental consciousness becoming increasingly popular, this datum continues to stay relevant.
To get a clear perspective of the impacts solar energy has on homeowners, I spoke to James Linder, CEO of Sun Source Solar. Linder stated: “because of the fires last year, PG&E is going to be raising their rate up to 6-12% for the next 15 years.” Linder also mentioned how the rates of solar energy stay relatively the same every year. This information highlighted the contrast of the value of homes with and without solar. Although different in every state and city, the average value solar panels can add to a home in the U.S is 4.1%. To put this into perspective, adding the 4.1% increase to the median California home price in 2020, there would be a $29,209 increase in value. That takes the $712,430 median to $741,639 in value. Depending on the location, this change can be more or less, but solar panels still add value to your home.
Whether the goal is to save the environment or save on the utility bill, adding solar panels can add worth to a property. As efforts to improve climate change become essential, solar panels may become an essential as well.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
Save- the-date to register on Friday, March 26th at 10:00am
Tournament details:
Monday April 19th
The Club at Ruby Hills
3400 West Ruby Hill Drive
Plesanton, CA, 94566
Check-in | 10:00am
Shotgun Start | 11:00am
19th Hole Event | Immediately after play
Format of play – Scramble
Contact: Jill Herman, California Homebuilding Foundation | jherman@mychf.org | (916) 340-3309
Please join the Foundation in congratulating our 2021 inductees:
This year’s Hall of Fame will celebrate the lifetime achievements of five remarkable professionals.
- Kent Aden (HomeFed Communities)
- Steve Kalmbach (PulteGroup, Inc.)
- Steven Kellenberg (Kellenberg Studio)
- William R. Parker (Parker Development Company)
- Jeffrey Roos (Lennar Corporation)
For more information on the 2021 Hall of Fame and full biographies of current inductees and past honorees, visit https://www.mychf.org/.
About the CHF Hall of Fame
The homebuilding Hall of Fame is an annual awards gala presented by the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization advancing the homebuilding industry through scholarships, research and education. CHF is committed to preserving the history of exemplary homebuilding professionals and celebrating builders, architects, developers and associates recognized for excellence and success in their careers. To learn more, visit our website.
According to Zillow reports, 70% of homeowners are comfortable with moving now that the vaccine is being distributed. To put this in perspective, that 70% makes up 14 million homes. This is an 18% increase from the homeowners who reported they were already comfortable with moving without a vaccine available. Four out of five homeowners reported that the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine will make them more likely to move.
Due to the pandemic, a large portion of homeowners experienced anxiety about moving. Now that homeowners are comfortable enough to sell, the scarce inventory reported in last week's blog is now projected to be aided by a potential surge. Looking more closely at the demographics, specifically the generation differences: 26% of millennials and Generation Z homeowners (ages 24-40) reported that the vaccine rollout will have an impact on their buying/selling patterns, whereas only 15% of Generation X (ages 41-56) and 10% of baby boomers/Silent Generation (ages 57-80) said they would be affected the same. Even though the later generations were not as moved by the vaccine rollout, they did report their confidence in their ability to sell for maximized profits.
Overall, look out for an increase in inventory in early spring of this year. Buyers will have more leverage in the current competitive market soon, and sellers should have no problem getting properties out of their hands.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
Home sales picked up drastically in the latter months of 2020, when they were expected to decline. During the cold weather months, the market is typically projected to slow as people usually take time off for vacation. In late 2020-2021, however, the opposite happened and sales picked up over 20% more than normal, according to Zillow Reports. To provide contrast: in 2019, 60% of the homes that were listed in the first week of November were still on the market at the end of that month. In November of 2020, less than 40% of the units listed were available. This unexpected surge in home sales was not met with an equal production of new units.
Overall, this trend may possibly become the “new normal,” as pending home sales continue to outnumber available listings. Luckily, there is a floor for how low inventory can get, which prevents the inventory from ever reaching zero. This trend will not negatively affect the housing market, but it does change how home buyers interact with it.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
"Since then, I decided I wanted to follow a path toward the construction industry,” said Pablo.
"No words can explain how grateful I am for the scholarship* support because it really had a positive impact on my life as a struggling student. Thanks to those generous people who support the California Homebuilding Foundation, I was able to graduate from college."
Pablo graduated from California State University, Fresno in 2019 with a degree in Construction Management. He currently works as a Field Engineer for Harris Construction Company, Inc..
There are countless students like Pablo who need financial support to pursue the required education to build the homes California needs now. You can be the one to give them the gift of opportunity.
The work we do would not be possible if not for people like you. Thank you.
*Hall of Fame scholarship 2016 contributors included Michael and Julia Cortney, Dennis and Gloria O’Brien Foundation, and Joan Webb’s family.
It is 2021, mortgage rates are down, savings accounts are up and young people are ready to move closer to acquiring their dream homes. To put it in perspective, this year the age range of Millennials will be 25-40 years old, while the oldest of Generation Z will be turning 24. These are typical age ranges for first time and long term homeowners.
For Millennials, the trend will be trade-up buying. Older millennials have now owned their first properties long enough to see a considerable equity gain. With low mortgage rates available, their home shopping criteria is making room for bigger and better. According to a survey conducted by realtor.com, three quarters of respondents stated that they will be looking for bigger homes in nicer neighborhoods. Only one quarter of the respondents said that they will be lowering their mortgage budget.
On the opposite end of Millenials, Gen Z homebuyers will continue to dip their toes into the housing market before they are ready to really jump in. Although most Gen Z’s are first time homebuyers, bigger homes in nicer neighborhoods are still a must have for the majority of them. Overall, despite wage cuts and stay at home orders due to the pandemic, homesales are still likely to progress.
Trevon Martin // CIRB Journalism Intern
According to DaJuan, “The CHF scholarship was very helpful in my search for employment and finishing my school year, as I was able to set up a home office when COVID affected our in-person attendance, purchase necessary course readers, and attend the AfroTech conference in 2019.”
With his new career, DaJuan can make a real difference in his community by developing real estate in urban areas, and it’s all because of supporters like you.
“Leaving a legacy of putting people first and providing the foundation for thriving communities around the world is my ultimate definition of success,” said DaJuan.
There are countless talented, driven students like DaJuan who lack the financial resources to complete their degree, but you can be the key to unlocking their full potential.
Thank you for supporting the California Homebuilding Foundation and championing our mission.
Education is the essential foundation for prosperity and opportunity. The work we do would not be possible if not for people like you. Thank you.
*DaJuan’s endowment was funded by: Pardee Brothers, Paul Griffin, David Landon, James M. Peters, and Stephen Scarborough Endowments
Since 2012, the California Economic Summit has convened leaders in workforce preparedness to ensure the state’s global economic status.
CHF’s BITA program provides a trained workforce to meet industry demand, offset worker retirement, and avoid labor shortages.
Read the full booklet and more about BITA on page 7
BITA is now active in 40 high schools across California and the program runs solely on donations.
If you would like to see BITA expand to a school near you, please click here to donate to the California Homebuilding Foundation.
Sacramento, California has recently been named “next year’s hottest market,” according to Realtor.com.
Sacramento has attracted an influx of homebuyers this year, especially from the Bay Area as people continue to work from home. Situated about 90 minutes away from San Francisco by car, Sacramento makes for an ideal location for Bay Area workers who are looking to stay relatively close to the office without the hefty price tag of Bay Area rent. For reference, homes in Sacramento average around $284 per square foot, while a unit in San Francisco averages at about $679.
The median home price in Sacramento currently sits at $554,000, according to Realtor.com, although the website anticipates this to increase by 7.4% in the upcoming year. Besides the surge in home buyers in the region, Sacramento’s housing market is likely to see a rise in prices from the continued low interest rates and an insufficient supply of houses to meet the growing demand.
Even with the higher prices, the number of home sales in California’s capital is expected to increase by 17.2% next year. Sacramento homes will still be remarkably cheaper than rental units in the Bay Area, as well as more spacious. Sacramento also boasts an up-and-coming food and entertainment scene, increasingly attracting more homebuyers to the region.
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
The Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) is entirely funded through grants and industry donations. Please know how much your GivingTuesday donation is appreciated by CHF and students of the BITA construction training program across California.
Your gift affects the positive work of CHF and your generous spirit and act of kindness in service to others supporting the homebuilding industry is tremendously valued.
We understand how many deserving organizations ask for support on GivingTuesday, so we gratefully and humbly thank you for championing our mission during this exciting campaign.
Analyzing the effect of California’s wildfires on homebuilding has historically been difficult, as wildfires typically do not enclose themselves to one municipality alone. The 2018 Camp Fire, however, is a unique exception in that it mainly affected the town of Paradise. Because of this, CIRB’s residential permit data of Paradise from the years before and after the fire allows for an exclusive analysis of the relationship between wildfires and homebuilding.
The total numbers of residential building permits issued in Paradise has seen staggering increases following the devastating 2018 Camp Fire.
The Camp Fire destroyed around 11,000 homes in Paradise, displacing tens of thousands of people. In the wake of the aftermath, the town saw exponential growth in the number of residential building permits approved as homebuilders rushed to rebuild. CIRB’s data reports that the issued number of permits skyrocketed from 2018 to 2019 by 306%, and from there another surge of about 80% as of July of this year.
The surge in approved building permits caused Paradise’s permit valuations to jump by tens of millions of dollars as well. Before the 2018 fire, permit valuations consistently stayed in the $6.5-9.5 million range annually. In 2019, however, total permit valuations reached nearly $78 million, and in the first seven months of 2020 alone it has greatly surpassed that with over $177 million.
The analysis of this data shows that despite Paradise remaining at risk for fires, building efforts in the town continue to progress. CIRB will continue to track this all important data relating wildfires to their impact on homebuilding, with new permit data to come in the future to further evaluate this relationship in other California cities in the wake of 2020’s historically ruinous wildfires.
Download the full spreadsheets here: https://bit.ly/3dm7msO
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
GivingTuesday is a 24-hour virtual giving day that provides an opportunity for people around the world to support what matters most to them.
The California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) is participating in GivingTuesday, and we are asking you to give a gift of support to erase a $118,000 shortfall affecting CHF and students in the BITA program.
CHF’s budget is deficit due to COVID-19. All of CHF’s 2020 events that are relied on for funding our programs were prohibited and cancelled this year.
Your participation in GivingTuesday will help keep construction training programs running in over 40 California high schools.
Here’s what you can do to help:
- Add GivingTuesday to your calendar
- Follow all of CHF and BITA’s social media accounts, share our posts, tag us, and use the hashtags #GivingTuesdayCHF and #ISupportBITA
- Click here to submit your donation before GivingTuesday
You are part of an incredible community of generous donors who help keep CHF able to provide essential programs like BITA, and you have helped make CHF a beloved statewide institution.
Thank you for making a difference.
Both 15 and 30-year mortgage rates rose slightly last week following Pfizer’s announcement of their successful COVID-19 vaccine.
On November 9, news broke that the pharmaceutical company had developed a vaccine that is allegedly 95% effective and potentially ready for public distribution within just a few months. Three days later (on the week ending November 12), 15-year, 30-year and 5-year hybrid ARM mortgage rates rose, breaking the streak of progressively falling interest rates.
The 15-year mortgage increased by 0.6 points, while the 30-year rose by 0.7 points. Even with this rise, however, mortgage rates remain lower year-over-year, as the rate now sits at 2.84% compared to last year’s 3.75%, according to the Freddie Mac Mortgage Loan Company.
Before Pfizer’s announcement, mortgage rates were steadily lowering as the year progressed.
The news of Pfizer’s successful vaccine indicates that the economy is soon likely to improve, in which case such low mortgage rates will no longer be necessary. As for now, home buying trends are not likely to be affected by this rise in mortgage rates. Rates still remain close to record-low levels, and experts expect these rates to stay low in the near-term.
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
California home builders take advantage of 45L tax credit as 2020 comes to a close
Only projects three stories or less are eligible. This federal tax credit is available for projects (homes or apartments) sold or leased in 2016-2020. Home builders can claim the tax credit retroactively up to three years and carry it forward for twenty years. Most California new construction projects qualify for the 45L tax credit.
Using Department of Energy approved software is a requirement of the federal 45L credit. Using unapproved software lends to IRS audit risk, as outlined in RESNET’s November 2020 letter. Micropas v7.6 is the only 45L California software to be approved by the DOE and listed on the IRS approved 45L software website.
As IRS defined Eligible Certifiers, HERS raters use approved software to generate 45L certificates for their builders. To qualify your projects for the 45L credit, contact your HERS rating company or Bob Johnson at rjohnson@cheers.org.
Mortgage rates are still on the decline as of the first week in November, falling not only from the same time last month but year-over-year as well.
The average interest rate on 30-year fixed mortgages was reported at 2.78% nation-wide last weekend; a 2.81% drop from the week just prior and 3.69% down from the same time last year. 15-year fixed mortgages also fell, setting new records for all-time lows, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
With mortgage rates hitting these unprecedented lows, the home selling process is moving faster than ever. 2020 marked the first time in nine years that houses sold faster in October than September, at least at a national level. Additionally, applications to refinance mortgages are 80% higher than they were a year ago. Even homeowners who have refinanced within the past year are applying to refinance again, looking to get in on the extraordinary low rates that are currently available.
This seemingly perpetual trend of falling mortgage rates in 2020 has correlated with a strong and sustained demand for housing as well. The prospect of a long, harsh winter in relation to the coronavirus is also pushing demand, as people look for more room in suburbia to brace themselves for a continued quarantine.
One downside of the low interest rates for homebuyers has been the aggressively competitive housing market. Although mortgage rates are nationally at an all-time low, home prices in many regions are at an all-time high because of the spike in demand. This has not seemed to drive away prospective buyers, however, as homes are still being snatched off the market almost as soon as they appear.
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
“The Effect of Rent Control on New Housing Supply: A Bay Area Case Study” was published just last month, showing clear and conclusive results of rent control’s repercussions on housing growth in California. The study was conducted by the Rosen Consulting Group and headed by Ken Rosen, chairman of UC Berkeley’s Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics. The consulting group compared housing supply growth within six Bay Area municipalities before and after the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. This act limited the extent to which Californian cities could enforce rent control.
Prior to Costa-Hawkins, each of these jurisdictions had enforced some sort of rent control in the 80s. Looking at the residential building permits before and after Costa-Hawkins, the study finds that the supply of housing grew significantly in nearly all six cities after rent control was loosened. Limiting rent control accounted for 19.6% of housing growth in San Francisco, 19.1% in San Jose and 13.4% in Berkeley. Hayward and Los Gatos, the two cities in which the study finds that the Costa-Hawkins Act had little effect on housing growth, had very limited rent control to begin with.
The findings of this study suggest that rent control ultimately hurts housing availability. In many cases, rent control hinders the development of new housing and incentivizes landlords to convert their units into other types of property. Builders may avoid constructing in rent-controlled cities, lessening the amount of available housing in those areas. Additionally, many rent control laws allow condominiums to be exempt from rent caps, causing some landlords to convert their previously more affordable units into expensive condos. Rather than rent control, the NAHB suggests combating California’s housing crisis by allowing more high-density housing to be built and offering direct public subsidies to those who need it.
What has been wildfires impact on homebuilding? Get the free report here >>
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
Young people deserve the opportunity to be successful. Your generosity allows project-based, hands-on construction training to continue in over 40 California high schools.
Thank you to our sponsors, donors and benefactors who supported the 2020 Boos, Booze and BITA fundraiser!
Wizard Sponsors
Boudreau Pipeline
LJP Construction Services
The Hanson Foundation
Black Cat Sponsors
Boral Stone Division
CBC Framing
Huitt-Zollar.inc
Kovach Marketing
Mark and Donna Hoover
Ponderosa Homes
Rancho Mission Viejo
Reliable Wholesale Lumber, Inc
Wine and Dinner Donations
Ankh Wines
B Toffee
Bright View Design Group
Sub-Zero Wolf
Teichert
Custom Box Sponsor
The New Home Company
Jack-o-Lantern Sponsors
20/20 Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Associa - PCM
Bassenian Lagoni
Best Management Construction, Inc.
BioClean a Fortera Company
Brookfield Residential
CDC Designs
Circle M Contractors
Colleen Edwards
Cox Communications
D33 Design & Planning
Dahlin Group Architecture l Planning
Danielian Associates Architecture+Planning
David Evans and Associates, Inc.
Focus 360
Fuscoe Engineering, Inc.
GMEP Engineers
Gouvis Engineering Consulting Group, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Harris and Sloan
Hunsaker & Associates Irvine, Inc
Jackson Tidus
JZMK Partners
KB Home
Keystone Pacific Property Management, Inc.
Landsea Homes
LSA
Lutron
Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP
MBK Rental Living
Mike and Jeila Balsamo
Murow Development Consultants
Newmeyer & Dillion, LLP
NMG Geotechnical, Inc.
Pacific Utility
Psomas
Simpson Strong-Tie
Stantec
Sukut
Taylor Morrison
The Jasper Companies Masonry
The Land Stewards
The Ryness Company, Inc.
TRI Pointe Homes
United Paving Co.
Warmington Residential
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
WHA, Inc.
Donations and Contributions
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San Francisco saw the greatest drop in rent in the nation last month, with September’s median down 20% year-over-year. The median for an average one-bedroom apartment was listed at $2,830, marking the first time the city’s median was priced under $3,000. This price was additionally down 7% from August. Other Californian cities making Zumper’s national list of decreasing rents were San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively.
The trend of declining rent in California is credited to an influx of supply in the rental housing market. Many renters are fleeing their small apartments in metropolis cities for larger homes in the suburbs; more still are moving back to their hometowns or a city they have always wanted to live in due to sustained work from home productivity.
As the pandemic continues through the rest of 2020, it appears as though these lifestyle trends are here to stay. Subsequently, we are likely to see the trends in housing continue to be affected as well.
What has been wildfires impact on homebuilding? Get the free report here >>
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
Young people deserve the opportunity to be successful. Support BITA this Halloween by participating and sponsoring in the Boos, Booze and BITA fundraiser, and help a BITA student continue their construction training.
Be sure to secure your Wine and Dinner Box before Wednesday, October 21st.
Custom boxes will be shipped the last week of October.
If you are in the Orange County area and would like to pick-up your custom box, BIAOC invites you to a “Pick Up Party” on October 29th (location to be revealed to purchasers only).
Please specify your delivery or pick-up preference when you register.
CHF does not want a shortage of funding due to event cancellations to get in the way of helping our industry’s workforce next year. You can help by securing your Wine and Dinner Box today.
On behalf of the California Homebuilding Foundation BITA students– thank you.
Questions? Please contact Jill Herman at jherman@mychf.org or 916-412-7118.
REGISTRATION: To register for the event, click on the "Register Now" button at the bottom of this page. The conference registration fee is $275 and includes all conference materials in electronic format. For those who registered for the in-person conference, if you choose to attend the virtual conference, your registration fees will be adjusted to the new rate and a partial refund will be processed. If you do not wish to convert your registration to the virtual conference, a full refund will be given within 30 days.
If you have any problems with registration, please email Kim DeWeese at kdeweese@cbia.org
Since we will be meeting via Zoom, we encourage you to use the convenience of this platform to invite other colleagues from your firm to register and attend.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION: REGISTRATION PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE of the conference and no later than Monday, November 2, 2020. NO REFUNDS will be offered for cancelled registrations after Monday, November 2. 2020.
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: If you are interested in presenting a topic at the conference, please contact Nick Cammarota at (916) 340-3304 or ncammarota@cbia.org
POTENTIAL TOPICS: The virtual SCIL conference agenda format will remain the same and will be held all day Saturday and half day Sunday.
Potential topics of discussion include Housing Crisis Legislation | Wildfires & Land Use | Subdivision Map Act | California v. Federal Legislation | CARB Scoping Plan | Housing Supply & Affordability Policies | Water Quality and Supply | Air Quality | Land Use | CEQA Litigation, Legislation and Regulations | Protected Species | Recent School Facilities Developments in Planning | New Legislation, and more.
MCLE CREDITS: An application will be made for approximately nine hours of Continuing Education Credits after the conference.
REGISTRATION HELP: Should you have any problems with registration, please call or email Kim DeWeese via the information below.
SPONSORS: If your firm/company is interested in sponsoring our event, we would love to accommodate you! We have a number of sponsorship options available and can provide great visibility to your organization. Please contact Nick Cammarota for more information.
QUESTIONS: If you have questions regarding the event, please contact Nick Cammarota at (916) 340-3304, and if you have questions regarding registration, please email Kim DeWeese or call at (916) 340-3333.
Your commitment to CHF is strong, you care about helping a BITA student and you care about the homebuilding workforce.
Be sure to secure your Italian Themed Wine and Dinner Box before Wednesday, October 21st.
Custom boxes will be shipped the last week of October.
If you are in the Orange County area and would like to pick-up your custom box, BIAOC invites you to a “Pick Up Party” on October 29th (location to be revealed to purchasers only).
CHF does not want a shortage of funding due to event cancellations to get in the way of helping our industry’s workforce. You can help by securing your Italian Themed Wine and Dinner Box today.
Questions? Please contact Jill Herman at jherman@mychf.org or 916-412-7118.
In the aftermath of this year’s historically catastrophic wildfires, California insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, is searching for ways to bring insurance companies back to the areas hardest hit. In order to do this, Lara looks to start a discussion with California’s insurance industry to develop standards for hardening homes and communities against fire risk.
Insurance companies have regularly dropped customers in California’s high-risk areas, leaving many homeowners with no option but to pay staggering prices for the California FAIR Plan coverage. In response, insurance commissioner Lara has continuously pushed to bring insurers back into fire-prone area through an assortment of avenues, now relying on a voluntary, collaborative approach to do the job.
Despite evidence supporting home-hardening, commissioner Lara acknowledges that the presented initiatives do not guarantee coverage for anyone, but simply improves conditions so insurers would return to risky, fire-prone areas.
What has been wildfires impact on homebuilding? Be the first to read CIRB upcoming analysis by joining the CIRB mailing list here >>
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
In an effort to ensure the availability of charging stations throughout the state, the Air Resources Board (ARB) is asking HCD and the Building Standards Commission to update their EV-Ready requirements for new non-residential and multi-family buildings to increase the percentage of EV-Ready parking spots to 15% of all available spots. Current standards in Cal Green require 10% of the parking spots have an empty conduit (plastic or metal pipe) connecting the parking lot with the electrical panel. Also, the electrical panel must have enough unused capacity (plug slots) to allow for the later installation of EV-charging stations (e.g.: “EV-Ready”).
And, for the first time, the ARB will be asking these agencies to mandate the installation of at least one fully-functioning, Level 2 EV-charging station in new multifamily and commercial buildings. This marks a significant departure from the EV-Ready policy for the past six years and raises the question: Who will pay for this? After all, the state would be mandating the installation of something that (1) may not see significant use for years and, more importantly, (2) provides a revenue stream for the local utility (not the building owner).
As of press time, ARB is not seeking any changes to the EV-ready requirements for single-family homes, as all new homes (100%) have been required to be EV-Ready since July of 2015.
The median price for a home in California currently sits $187,000 above the average from the beginning of the year, equating to a 34% asking price increase. This number comes from a recent Zillow report which lists California’s statewide median at $735,000 as of September 5.
As for what created the substantial increase in asking prices for homes, multiple factors played a role. One cause of the median inflation is attributed to the business limit exemptions home sales were given in early spring of this year. Another factor is.… Read More
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
Inspected was launched in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect public and private employees conducting in-person inspections on job sites, as well as residential and commercial properties. The Inspected app allows building officials and inspectors to conduct virtual inspections while practicing social distancing, saving time and fuel costs.
ICC members and stakeholders will have unlimited free access to Inspected’s webinars and online demonstrations, as well as one-on-one sessions to discuss how Inspected’s virtual and video capabilities can be applied in specific situations.
ICC Community Development Solutions will host a free webinar on remote virtual inspections on Wednesday, September 16 at 11am PST. To register for the webinar, just click https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6382504880029427472.
The Fannie Mae Mortgage loan company conducted a national survey through their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) last month to see where consumers’ opinions on the housing market currently lie. The report reveals that after a small slip in sentiment towards the housing market in July, both homebuyers and home sellers feel more optimistic in August, continuing a positive trend that began in May of this year.
The HPSI from August shows that about 59% of national consumers feel it is a good time to buy a home; an increase of one percent from the same time last year.… Read More
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern // msaldivar@mychf.org
As people across the nation adjust to spending more time than ever before at home, urbanization is losing the traction it once had as the most sought-after trend in housing.
Metro-core areas saw the greatest decline in single-family home construction over the past couple of months, falling about 18% nationally in comparison to its numbers from the same time last year. Instead, it has been small metro areas seeing the greatest growth in housing production, as suburbs are now the fastest growing geographic area for single-family construction. According to the National Association for Home Building, small metro suburbs are up 2.3% for single-family units … Read More
Marissa Saldivar // CIRB Journalism Intern
The construction industry has been weathering the pandemic fairly well on a national scale. This could be due to the designation of construction as an essential business in many regions of the U.S., or that much of construction work naturally lends itself to pandemic safety protocols.
Semi-Annual Report Is Here! CIRB’s long-awaited report gives insight to the degree of impact COVID-19 has had on permit activity throughout the last six months. Click here to download.>>
According to U.S. Census Bureau, the national average of business hurt by COVID-19 is around thirty three percent. Other industries besides construction that are doing relatively well during this time are utilities and finance; while educational services, food services and the arts are being hit the hardest. Additionally, the Census Bureau notes that construction in the United States is approaching normal levels of business again; a positive sign for now that the building industry is in good shape to brave the pandemic.
Marissa Saldivar
CIRB Journalism Intern
Up 25% from the previous year, BITA welcomes the following school districts to our growing network.
- Fontana Unified School District - Citrus High School (San Bernardino)
- Hesperia Unified School District - Canyon Ridge High School, Hesperia High School, & Sultana High School (San Bernardino)
- McCloud High School (Siskiyou)
- Mountain Oaks Charter School (Calaveras)
- Marysville Joint Unified School District - Lindhurst High School (Yuba)
- Eden Area ROP (Alameda)
- Irvine Unified School District - Portola High School (Orange)
- Corona-Norco Unified School District (Riverside)
All BITA schools launched this school year with 100% distance learning. BITA is a hands-on, project-based construction training curriculum. It is more important than ever to continue to support BITA through creativity and elevation of distance learning opportunities– such as OSHA 10 training, model kits and measuring tools for students to continue their training at home.
All your incredible work and support will contribute to a better trained future workforce. Go to www.mychf.org to help drive CHF’s educational objectives forward.
Reach out to Jill Herman, jherman@mychf.org to learn more and how you can impact, encourage, and help a BITA student.
According to the US Census Bureau, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in July rose by nearly 19 percent from the number issued last month, continuing June’s positive trend. July building permits also surpassed July 2019 numbers by an impressive 9.4 percent.
How will California match up for July 2020? Be the first to know by joining the CIRB Newsletter here >>
Single-family authorizations in July also saw a sizable growth, providing further evidence for an increased interest across the nation in single-family homes.
Semi-Annual Report Is Here! CIRB’s long-awaited report gives insight to the degree of impact COVID-19 has had on permit activity throughout the last six months. Click to here to download.
Key takeaways from the CIRB June 2020 Construction Review:
- 65% of all California housing units issued in June 2020 were single family.
- The largest project in June 2020 was a $258 million LAX building in the city of Los Angeles.
- California’s construction industry averaged 857,300 employed persons in June 2020, up 30,800 from May 2020.
Semi-Annual Report Is Here! CIRB’s long-awaited report gives insight to the degree of impact COVID-19 has had on permit activity throughout the last six months. Click to here to download.
Last published in 2018, the 2020 Semi-Annual Building Permit Summary Report provides readers the early opportunity to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on California’s building industry.
The re-released publication has been reformatted to included key datasets exclusive to CIRB analysts. Similar to the popular 2019 Annual Building Permit Summary Report, the released half-year publication includes detailed breakdowns of all 539 California jurisdictions.
Get your copy of the annual and semi-annual report here >>
Also included are regional activity breakdowns, updated forecasting, statewide residential datasets, and statewide non-residential datasets
Are you a CIRB subscriber and need a report? Email us at CHF-CIRB@mychf.org.
The industry directory is an organized tool for instructors and students to look-up and contact industry partners who are interested in supporting BITA and developing the up-and coming workforce.
We want professionals and organizations who have the following opportunities and interests:
- Guest Speaking in the classroom or virtual recording
- Internships
- Virtual or in-person field trips
- Employment opportunities
- Mentorship programs
- In-kind donations
Listings will include company name and logo, company information, support categories, main contact person and link to website.
Please fill out our application form and let us know how you would like to participate, or reach out to Jill Herman, jherman@mychf.org to find out how you can impact, encourage, and help a BITA student.
CHF believes all students deserve a comprehensive education to excel in the various professions made available by the homebuilding industry, regardless of background, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, socioeconomic status or any other discriminating factor.
The California Homebuilding Foundation’s mission is to advance the homebuilding industry in California through scholarships, research, education, and professional recognition.
The BITA program runs solely on donations and grants from our generous benefactors and industry champions like you. If you want to help a BITA student, make a donation to the program. CHF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1978.
The Los Angeles Times reports that many people are eager to buy homes right now because of the currently available “rock-bottom” mortgage rates. The reputable newspaper notes that buyers have returned in such strong numbers in Southern California that sellers have yet to meet their demands, sparking many bidding wars on the properties that are currently available.
The California home buyer is a subject of analysis in the recently published economic outlook by Beacon Economics. The produced report provides a comprehensive look at the various regions throughout California and examines key indicators that drive their economies.
Download the full report here >>
In a recent Gimme Shelter podcast regarding the current state of California’s housing market, podcast hosts Matt Levin of CalMatters and Liam Dillon of the Los Angeles Times discussed the effects of COVID-19 on California’s construction industry production.
The podcast noted that California’s construction efforts to build new housing units has significantly slowed due to Coronavirus constrictions, leaving many concerned for the impacts a housing-unit shortage can create further down the road. This shortage creates understandable concern in many Californians looking to rent/buy in the future.
Join the CIRB Newsletter here and be the first to read our upcoming CIRB analysis on this Gimme Shelter episode.
CIRB’s annual report on building permits issued in 2019 revealed that permits for both single and multi-family units were down compared to the amount issued in 2018. The report shows that multi-family units took the hardest hit in 2019, a -10% from 2018 compared to the -2% decrease in single-family units.
Click here to download the 2019 Annual Building Permit Summary Report>>
As for the future of building construction in California, CIRB has only marginally adjusted its 2020 outlooks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Email CIRB at chf-cirb@mychf.org for 2020 projections.
Who'll take home this year's top prize? Award of Merit Winners are the top vote recipients in each category and are the finalists for the Grand Award. The Virtual Awards Presentation is Friday, July 24. Join us to celebrate this year's top innovators in design, planning and development. General Admission Tickets: $25 / Viewing Party of 10: $250.
View Merit Winners and buy your tickets today at https://www.pcbc.com/gold-nugget-awards
Key takeaways from the CIRB May 2020 Construction Review:
- 53% of all California housing units issued in May 2020 were multi-family.
- The largest project in May 2020 was a $108 million apartment building in the city of Oakland.
- California’s construction industry averaged 826,500 employed persons in May 2020, up 81,600 from April 2020.
Click here to download the monthly permit reports for May 2020>>
What is being forecasted for California's 5 major economic regions? The Economic Outlook – Summer 2020 is the latest installment, produced by Beacon Economics, that provides a comprehensive near-term forecast for the U.S., California, and California regional economies. The outlook for Summer 2020 delivers up-to-date analysis of leading indicators driving the economy. Click here to download.
Resumes are organized by each students’ degree or area of study in 12 different industry fields, including construction management, architecture, engineering, and real estate, among others.
This is a very valuable resource at your disposal we hope you will utilize and share with any interested contacts. You might just find your next employee and change a student’s life…
Please reach out to tbrunson@mychf.org with any questions or concerns you may have.
Thank you for your continued support of CHF and the industry we call home.
The tide seems to have turned beginning in the 2nd Quarter of 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions are finally having a substantial impact on California building permits issued. Read the full blog post here.
Want to get the full picture of monthly and annual building permits issued for California’s 539 jurisdictions? Click here to download the reports from the only source with 99% data reporting accuracy.
The Annual Report is now available for purchase at cirbreport.org/reports and includes a complimentary 2020 subscription to CIRB’s monthly California Construction Review (CCR).
Current subscribers to CIRB’s CCR or Energy Permit Summary Report can contact CHF-CIRB@mychf.org for a discounted copy of the 2019 Annual.
The CIRB (Construction Industry Research Board) Report‘s March 2020 California Construction Review (CCR) shows positive growth in multifamily units, which increased by 26% in March 2020 compared to February 2020 and increased by 7% from March 2019.
However, total statewide new housing units in building permits issued for the month of March 2020 are down 7% from February of 2020 and down 6% from March of 2019. Continue reading to see important permit statistics.
Key takeaways from the CIRB March 2020 Construction Review and Energy Permit Summary Report:
- The largest project in March 2020 was a $139 million equipment building in the city of Los Angeles.
- The unemployment rate for California employees in March 2020 was 5.6%, increasing by 1.3% from February 2020.
- Monthly residential and commercial solar permit activity in March 2020 indicated a 25% decrease from installations permitted in March 2019.
Click here to download the monthly permit reports for March 2020>>
How is COVID-19 affecting California's 5 major economic regions? The Economic Outlook – Spring 2020 is a succinct compilation for Spring 2020 that delivers up-to-date analysis of leading indicators driving the economy, including employment, trade, housing, and the impact of COVID-19. Click here to download.
The Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB Report) released the 2019 Annual Building Permit Summary Report in May of 2020, revealing a 5.6% single and multifamily housing unit decrease compared to the prior year.
Preliminary 2019 statistics initially produced a 7% total unit decrease from 2018, but final permit numbers, acquired from gathering monthly construction data directly from California building departments, adjusted the percentage to -5.6%.
The CIRB Report’s 2019 Annual Summary includes a variety of economic information for a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting construction activity in California, such as:
- California and US employment statistics for the construction sector
- The largest (dollar volume) permitted project in California in 2019
- 2020 housing unit forecasts* from CIRB, Chapman University, the California Economic Forecast, and others
- MetroStudy ranking of the top homebuilders in California in 2019
In addition to detailed residential and commercial permit activity for all 539 cities in California, the CIRB 2019 Annual Summary also includes a historical trends chart going back to 1991 and a graph depicting housing units issued from 2005-2020 (forecasted*).
This chart verifies 2019 as the first year since 2009 that California has issued fewer housing units than the year prior.
The Annual Report is now available for purchase at cirbreport.org/reports and includes a complimentary 2020 subscription to CIRB’s monthly California Construction Review (CCR).
Current subscribers to CIRB’s CCR or Energy Permit Summary Report can contact CHF-CIRB@mychf.org for a discounted copy of the 2019 Annual Summary.
*Housing forecasts have been marginally adjusted due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
Are you "Ready for What's Next?" You're Invited to the 2020 CBIA PWB Virtual Bruncheon, presented by InSinkErator. Join CBIA’s PWB council:
- Friday, June 12, 2020
- 10:30 - 11:30am
- Zoom webinar - REGISTER HERE
Virtually network and explore the future of women in the building industry and how to be empowered navigating beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Check out our industry guest speakers!
Featuring National Industry Leaders:
- Dan Dunmoyer- President/CEO, CBIA
- Sheryl Palmer- Chairman/President/CEO, Taylor Morrison
- Joan Webb- CMO, The New Home Company
- Layne Marceau- Nor Cal Division President, Shea
Join us for a virtual networking champagne toast at 11:30am after the webinar!
- Save this link!
- Meeting ID: 842 3301 6654
- Password: 845257
Please visit https://cbia.org/professional-women-in-building/ for more information or reach out to Council President, Mitu Walia at mwalia@klein-financial.com.
We hope to see you there!
CHF administered the 2019 Scholarship Survey & Impact Report in March 2020 to provide industry donors and stakeholders key insight into the overall career goals and expectations of students entering California’s homebuilding and construction industries.
Thanks to the generosity of its benefactors and donors, CHF was able to offer scholarships to 81 students from construction-related academic departments in regional colleges and universities ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 for a total of $162,500 in 2019 scholarship dollars offered.
The survey also provided participants the option to share their resumes and qualifications with CHF board members, benefactors and other individuals who can connect students with potential industry career opportunities.
This information will be used to report findings to donors and benefactors who have invested in the success of CHF’s scholarship program and will be made available online to promote public understanding of current entry-level professionals in the building industry.
Click here to download a complete copy of the 2019 Scholarship Survey & Impact Report
The California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) offers Work-Ready Scholarships for graduates of the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) high school program seeking a career in the trades. A $500 scholarship includes tools and a tool belt, hard hat, boots, and other construction site necessities for one student.
You can give a BITA graduate a Work-Ready Scholarship today to set them up for success in the building industry! Click here to lend a hand: https://www.mychf.org/bita-scholarships/
Construction is one of the few industries where hardworking and dedicated individuals can start at the bottom and work their way to the top, with or without a college degree.
Individuals who are ready to hit the ground running can apply for this scholarship to help purchase the required tools for success. Proof of employment within California is required.
Please visit https://www.mychf.org/bita-scholarships/ or email jherman@mychf.org for more information.
Big Day of Giving (May 7, 2020)—Your gifts raised over $18,000 (more than 750 OSHA-10 training vouchers) for students in the BITA program! Will you continue to provide bright futures to students? Donate to a BITA student today>>
Online Design Build Competition (May 7, 2020)—Hosted virtually by CHF Industry Partner, CIEF, students designed and built a structure from items in their own homes and presented videos of their models. Learn more about Design Build>>
SAVE THE DATE! CHF Giving Golf Tournament (Pelican Hill | October 13, 2020) The third annual Giving Golf tournament will tee off at 12:15pm on Tuesday, October 13th to raise funds for BITA construction students. Event info>>
SAVE THE DATE! Little Black Dress and Tie Social (Disneyland | October 14, 2020) Cocktail hour and networking fundraiser for BITA held each fall by CHF in conjunction with CBIA Fall Governance meetings and co-hosted with the CBIA Professional Women in Building. Event Info>>
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CHF has an Instagram! Make sure to follow @CA.Homebuilding.Foundation today! Click here>>
- Support CHF by shopping at smile.amazon.com. Click here to get started>>
- Your generosity on the Big Day of Giving brought over 750 OSHA-10 online training vouchers to students learning from home! BITA is now operating in 39 high schools statewide, training over 6,340 construction students. Many students are still in need of this essential certification to secure their future careers in these uncertain times. Your tax-free donation of $100 today will help four (4) BITA students and increase our services supporting the homebuilding industry. Learn more here>>
- The CIRB Report will be teaming up with Beacon Economics to release the second installment of The Economic Outlook report on June 11, 2020. You can purchase the current version of this regional, CA and national analysis here>>
- Have you considered leaving a legacy in your name to support and advance the industry you have devoted your life to? Now is a good time to understand the tax advantages and impact your gift will make. Discover the CHF DreamBuilders. Email apaul@mychf.org
Through our scholarship program, research publications, and educational curriculums, CHF is supporting the most important part of homebuilding: the people.
The official 2019 building permit statistics for California are ready! Download detailed residential and non-residential permit data for all 58 counties and 539 California cities for the previous year, including large construction projects, employment data, builder rankings, and housing unit forecasts.
Preliminary statistics revealed a year-to-date decrease in total housing units issued in California, which is a continuing trend published in the 2019 Annual report. How will 2020 shape up? Download the 2019 Annual to check out housing unit forecasts for the year ahead.
Your purchase of the 2019 Annual Report includes:
- PDF publication and Excel spreadsheets of detailed permit activity, historical housing totals, forecasts and more
- Limited Time Only: Complimentary 2020 CIRB Monthly Data Subscription ($975 Value)
Already a CIRB report subscriber? Ask us about discounted pricing! Email CHF-CIRB@mychf.org.
The Economic Outlook - Spring 2020 is a comprehensive near-term forecast report for the U.S., California, and California regional economies covering the following key topics:
- Impact of the coronavirus
- Employment trends and forecasts
- Home sales
- Construction activity
- Trade
COVID-19 has had damaging effects on regional, statewide and national economies, but how bad will it get?
Beacon's latest report gives a thorough analysis on recent economic trends and how they will impact Americans in the near future.
The report indicates that "a recession is likely, but it isn't clear how deep or damaging it may be. Mitigation and adaptation will be key."
Take a closer look in The Economic Outlook - Spring 2020 report, available exclusively online from the CIRB Report. Purchase here>>
NEW PUBLICATION COMING JUNE 11, 2020!
Beacon Economics will release a new Economic Outlook publication on June 11, 2020, available exclusively on the CIRB Online Store.
Stay tuned for announcements on the release of this informative analysis of the national, statewide and regional economies!
The CIRB (Construction Industry Research Board) Report‘s March 2020 California Construction Review (CCR) shows positive growth in statewide multifamily permit totals both monthly and year-to-date.
Though March was anticipated to reflect the economic impacts of COVID-19 on homebuilding, April may be the month to watch out for.
Key takeaways from the CIRB March 2020 Construction Review:
- New housing units in building permits issued for the month of March 2020 are down 7% from February of 2020 and down 6% from March of 2019.
- Multifamily units increased by 26% in March 2020 compared to February 2020 and increased by 7% from March 2019.
- The largest project in March 2020 was a $139 million equipment building in the city of Los Angeles.
Energy Statistics:
- In March 2020, 3,002 statewide residential and commercial HVAC changeout units were issued, producing a 50% month-to-month decrease in activity.
- Monthly residential and commercial solar permit activity in March 2020 indicated a 25% decrease from installations permitted in March 2019.
- Residential and commercial electric vehicle (EV) charger permits for the month of March 2020 cumulated 114 statewide.
Employment Trends (Source: California Employment Development Department):
- The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4% in March 2020, increasing by 0.9% from February 2020.
- The unemployment rate for California employees in March 2020 was 5.6%, increasing by 1.3% from February 2020.
Click here to download the monthly permit reports for March 2020>>
How is COVID-19 affecting California's 5 major economic regions? The Economic Outlook – Spring 2020 is a succinct compilation for Spring 2020 that delivers up-to-date analysis of leading indicators driving the economy. Click here to download.
The California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) regrets to inform you that in concurrence with PCBC’s cancellation, the Homebuilding Hall of Fame at The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco on Union Square on June 9, 2020 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While it is disappointing to terminate the 2020 celebration of this highly anticipated, time-honored tradition, CHF thoughtfully considered all factors conducive to a safe event for our inductees, guests, and staff. Current Inductees will maintain their induction for 2021.
The following individuals will be celebrated at the 2021 Hall of Fame gala:
- Kent Aden, HomeFed Communities
- Steve Kalmbach, PulteGroup
- Steven Kellenberg, Kellenberg Studio
- Jeffery Roos, Lennar Corporation
Hall of Fame’s cancellation is a tremendous hardship for the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF), as Hall of Fame is our largest annual fundraising event. If you would like to support CHF in this time of crisis, please click here.
Contact Terri Brunson at tbrunson@mychf.org with any questions or concerns regarding the Hall of Fame cancellation, sponsorships and donations.
CHF staff and our Board of Trustees look forward to the 36th annual Hall of Fame on June 15, 2021 and hope you will join us.
The Economic Outlook - Spring 2020, the latest report by Beacon Economics indicates that "a recession is likely, but it isn't clear how deep or damaging it may be. Mitigation and adaptation will be key."
COVID-19 has had damaging effects on regional, state-wide, and national economies, but how bad will it get? Download your copy of this comprehensive near-term forecast for the U.S., California, and California regional economies today.
Beacon's latest report gives a thorough analysis on recent economic trends and how they will impact Americans in the near future.
The Economic Outlook covers the following key topics:
- Impact of the coronavirus
- Employment trends and forecasts
- Home sales
- Construction activity
- Trade
Get your copy today exclusively from cirbreport.org/reports/
Meet our 2020 Big Day of Giving Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) champion, Terri Everhart! Click here to watch Terri’s important video message.
Terri is a Builder Sales Representative for HomeSite Services and an NAHB Professional Women in Building Executive Board member. Continue reading to see why supporting the BITA program is important to donors like Terri.
"The California Homebuilding Foundation is educating the construction industry's future workforce through their Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) four-year high school curriculum.
While BITA is an inspiring program, students are facing a serious problem: school is closed during the COVID-19 outbreak and the future of BITA's graduating seniors is in jeopardy.
BITA is overwhelmed with efforts to provide at-home education and give students necessary training, specifically OSHA-10 certification, a requirement for setting foot on construction sites. ($25 per-student enrollment fee)
A BITA Instructor at Antioch High School informed us that 70% of his students are in the reduced / free lunch program; consequently, they would not be able to afford the $25 cost of online OSHA-10 training.
Please join me in making a difference in these students lives by donating $100 to CHF, which will provide OSHA-10 training to four (4) students. A donation of $750 to CHF will provide training for an entire class of thirty (30) students.
My gift to BITA students on the Big Day of Giving
Donations to CHF support programs that defend and enrich our homebuilding industry. Please donate to support these high school students today - I just did." -Terri Everhart
You can be a BITA champion, too! Set up your Big Day of Giving fundraiser be the hero these students need to continue their construction training. Click here to get started.
The annual Big Day of Giving, a virtual giving day supporting regional nonprofits, starts May 7, 2020, but donations are now being accepted online: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/CAHomebuildingFoundation
CHF is participating to raise funds for Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) students to obtain OSHA 10 certification during school closures due to COVID-19. You can make a difference in the lives of construction students today or on the Big Day of Giving!
For many of our students, BITA is the key to a rewarding career and a better life and being removed from school poses a threat to their education and their future.
The Foundation is overwhelmed with efforts to restructure the online curriculum, provide "Work-Ready Scholarships" to students, and coordinate industry video lessons, but now, more than ever, students are in need of proper job site certification through OSHA 10 training.
OSHA certification can be achieved 100% online, which is why there is an urgent need to fulfill this required training for students learning at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, many BITA students are unable to afford the cost of acquiring their OSHA 10 card.
Dylan Howell, BITA Instructor from Antioch High School says, "About 70% of students in my school are on the free or reduced lunch program. They would not be able to pay for OSHA 10."
Will you make an emergency tax-free donation to train and certify students during COVID-19?
Your donation of $100 funds online OSHA 10 training to four (4) students in our BITA program.
Your donation of $750 supports OSHA 10 training for an entire class of thirty (30) students.
There are no extra funds in our budget to meet this unexpected need, but your emergency gift will help educate BITA students during the coronavirus pandemic.
Please help us ease the financial burden of our students to give them the education and training they need now. Donations to CHF support the BITA program and other programs that defend and enrich the homebuilding community.
My gift of OSHA 10 training to BITA students for the Big Day of Giving.
The Economic Outlook – Spring 2020 is a succinct compilation for Spring 2020 that delivers up-to-date analysis of leading indicators driving the economy, such as the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), employment trends (including forecasts), trade, and the next recession.
This comprehensive near-term forecast covers:
- The U.S.
- California
- California's 5 Major Regions (LA, San Diego, San Francisco, South Bay and East Bay)
The Spring 2020 outlook is the first installment of Beacon publications that will be available quarterly on the CIRB Report website.
Check out the 5 Key Takeaways from the report here on the CIRB Blog.
This Economic Outlook and other reports on building permit activity can be downloaded from http://www.cirbreport.org/reports.
The 2020 Design Build Competition, presented by the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF), is now online. Registration is open to all high school students to virtually to design and build tiny homes, sheds and storage buildings. Scholarships will be awarded to the winning students on May 7th on GoToWebinar.
COVID-19 emergency donations supporting the BITA program are helping to alleviate the financial burden on students to pay for OSHA 10 training and certification, which is a requirement of entering the Design Build competition. You can help certify students, too!
Students will be judged on their ability to complete a finished structure online, from creating cost estimates on building plans to building a physical model of the structure from materials they can find in their home and submitting a video of their finished product.
OSHA 10 certification is a requirement of entry in the online Design Build competition and costs $25 per student. CHF needs donor support to fund this essential training to all BITA students. You can provide OSHA 10 to four (4) students for only $100. For $750, you can train an entire class of thirty (30) BITA students.
Your support provides construction students the experience they need to learn and train from home during COVID-19. Donations to CHF support BITA and other programs that defend and enrich the homebuilding community.
My gift of OSHA 10 training to students in the 2020 Design Build competition.
The CIRB (Construction Industry Research Board) Report‘s February 2020 California Construction Review (CCR) shows positive growth in single-family permit categories both monthly and year-to-date, but these statistical changes are anticipated to be short-lived.
COVID-19 started making an economic impact mid-March 2020, so we will likely see that reflected in building permit issued in CIRB’s next data report.
According to national statistics from NAHB’s Eye on Housing blog, “Single-family starts increased 6.7% to a 1,072,000 seasonally adjusted annual pace in February. Multifamily starts for units in 5+ unit properties declined 17% to a 508,000 annualized rate…”
California followed national trends in February 2020 with a 7% single-family unit increase from January 2020 and a massive 45% increase compared to February 2019. Multifamily permits declined by 25% compared to January but increased by 38% from February 2019.
Click here to read the full blog post and download the February permit infographic>>
Former Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) student, Yulia Khandrya, has found a lucrative and fulfilling career as a full-time framer for L&S Framing. "Being a framer is a good job, but there are physical hazards on the job site," she says. Read Yulia’s full story here.
OSHA 10 trains young professionals like Yulia on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in workplaces in the construction industry.
Now, more than ever, students are in need of proper certification through OSHA 10. Will you make an emergency tax-free donation to train and certify students during COVID-19?
OSHA certification can be achieved 100% online, which is why there is an urgent need to fulfill this required training for students learning at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“About 70% of the students in my school are on the free or reduced lunch program. They would not be able to afford the cost of OSHA 10,” says Dylan Howard, BITA Instructor at Antioch High School
Your donation of $100 funds online OSHA 10 training to four (4) students in our BITA program.
Your donation of $750 supports OSHA 10 training for an entire class of 30 students.
Students need online OSHA 10 certification now, so they can stay on track to graduate and have the required job safety qualifications to pursue their careers.
Your gift today will help us strengthen the BITA program and increase our services supporting the homebuilding industry.
Please help us ease the financial burden of our students to give them the education and training they need now. Learn more here.
When Cordova High School in Northern California wanted to transform their “Geometry in Construction” class into a comprehensive, four-year curriculum articulated with local community colleges, they called the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) for support.
CHF awarded Cordova High a $5,000 grant to implement the BITA (Building Industry Technology Academy) workforce training program from funds generously contributed by donors and supporters.
BITA program grant funding supplies the tools, equipment, and other program start-up costs to relieve the burden from schools and instructors.
Cordova High has put their BITA grant to good use, establishing a multi-year curriculum, an award-winning Design Build team, and making the connection between students and local industry.
Precision Marine purchased sheds constructed by BITA students at the annual Design Build competition, Lennar offered internships to two 3rd year BITA students, and the North State BIA (Building Industry Association) Foundation has been instrumental in providing career connections and mentorship opportunities for Cordova students.
BITA runs solely on donations and grants from our generous benefactors and industry champions. You can become a part of our state’s workforce education movement and change a student’s life today. Donate to BITA
To learn more about the BITA program, visit https://www.mychf.org/what-is-bita/ or contact Jill Herman, BITA Program Director, at 916-340-3309 or jherman@mychf.org.