Industry and Government Partnerships Address Housing Correction
Contact: Sarah Bruckner, 949-553-9500

IRVINE, CA – With the current state of housing market conditions, local jurisdictions are taking pro-active initiatives to partner with Building Industry Association, Orange County Chapter (BIA/OC). This partnership is creating positive solutions to address the downturn in the economy. As new housing projects slow, many cities have realized the critical need to partner with the industry.

The cities of Irvine and Tustin, along with the County of Orange, have lead the charge in changing their administrative building codes and allowing existing permits and plan checks to undergo a 360-day + extension. Other jurisdictions have withheld or delayed implementation of new fees. Most recently, the City of Orange agreed to delay the payment of development impact fees until certificate of occupancy. “Each of these steps taken at the local level have a positive impact on the economic health of Orange County. We encourage all jurisdictions in the County to partner with us to ensure the long term viability and economic stability of our local communities”, Kristine Thalman, Chief Executive Officer, BIA/OC.

Because this economic crisis is not limited to our local market, the California Building Industry Association has worked closely with Governor Schwarzenegger’s and the State Legislature on finding practical and immediate solutions to this crisis. Earlier this week, the Governor appealed to Congress and take immediate steps to revive California’s slumping housing markets and give a boost to the state and national economies. The Governor has sent a letter to the bipartisan Congressional leadership urging them to raise the conforming loan limit in hope that the House and Senate will act quickly to take this overdue step.

The National Association of Home Builders (head of CBIA and BIA) is working tirelessly to urge Washington policymakers including the Bush Administration, to take aggressive action to stabilize financial markets, jump start the housing sector and help regain the economy’s strength. Bills like H.R. 1427, which includes a provision for an adjustment to conforming loans, in just one of the legislative vehicles in play.

The BIA/OC will continue working with local jurisdictions to offer regulatory relief for the homebuilding industry and in an attempt to give a boost to the local economy.

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The Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA/OC) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 1,000 companies employing over 117,000 people affiliated with the home building industry. The BIA/OC mission is to promote proactive participation in the development of economic and community issues in Orange County. The BIA/OC is affiliated with the California BIA and the National Association of Home Builders.
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