Do Business With a Member Welcome to the Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota The Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota (HBAMS) is a professional trade organization comprised of local builders and associated businesses involved in the homebuilding industry. The association is affiliated with both the Florida Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. Our Mission Statement The mission of HBA Manatee-Sarasota is to serve its members by striving for a successful building environment throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. The programs and services provided to HBA Manatee-Sarasota members enhance their professionalism and encourage their involvement in community leadership to better the quality of life for all citizens. The association is dedicated to an active governmental affairs program with the goal of providing safe and affordable housing and the opportunity for home ownership.		Pledge Your Support for Growth Bill The recently-passed growth management bill, SB 360, is expected to reach the Governor’s desk some time this week. SB 360, the Community Renewal Act, is a measure that will implement Governor Crist’s Accelerate Florida initiative to streamline government, reduce wasteful and unnecessary regulation, and provide Florida employers with the tools to create new jobs to turn the economy around. Growth management was one of the Florida Home Builders Association’s 2009 Top Legislative Priorities, and members are encouraged to call the Governor’s office at 850-488-4441 to encourage his signature on this good legislation. SB 360 will promote smart urban growth by directing future development into urban areas with existing services in place and allow for new redevelopment and urban infill projects. It will reduce sprawl and protect open spaces by eliminating artificial incentives that have actually led to more sprawl and less protection for sensitive areas. Additionally, it will extend certain permits and approvals that have already been obtained by Florida employers by 2 years to ensure job-creating projects remain shovel ready to accelerate the economic recovery. SB 360 will eliminate outdated, duplicative government bureaucracy by ending the DRI review process in existing urban areas, which encourage large scale projects to be focused upon already developed areas. And it will provide new state incentives and greater flexibility for affordable housing programs. Workers’ Comp Awaits Governor’s Action Fifty major business organizations, including the Florida Home Builders Association, have pledged their support of HB 903 – the workers’ comp measure addressing attorney fees. The bill has been forwarded to Gov. Charlie Crist for his action. FHBA and other business groups are encouraging the Governor to sign the legislation into law. The workers’ comp legislation was necessary because of a Florida Supreme Court ruling from late 2008 that would have sent rates skyrocketing. Gov. Crist has 15 days from receipt of the bill to take action. Tax Credit for Downpayments Approved HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan's decision to allow consumers to use the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help cover their downpayment and closing costs on FHA-insured mortgages will be a big boost to the housing market. The measures announced by HUD last week would allow FHA-approved lenders; federal, state and local government agencies; and FHA-approved non-profit organizations to supply home buyers short-term or "bridge loans" up to the amount of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Longer term loans secured by second liens can also be used by government agencies and FHA-approved non-profit organizations to facilitate home sales. Several state housing finance agencies have introduced such programs and a number of agencies are considering that possibility. More information about these programs can be found on the National Council of State Housing Agencies Web site at www.ncsha.org/section.cfm/3/34/2920 . Previously, the home buyer would have been unable to access the tax credit until they filed their next annual tax return or an amended 2008 tax return and received the refund from the IRS . The next step is to see how FHA-approved lenders use HUD's new guidelines to actually monetize the tax credit for first-time home buyers and structure the payback provisions of the loans. The National Association of Home Builders is encouraging lenders to act promptly to put these provisions into place. For further information about the tax credit - including a detailed question and answer section and a number of home-buying resources for consumers - log on to NAHB's consumer Web site at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.		Affiliated Website Links Click Here to Watch 2008 Manatee County Field Trip Video Disaster Contractor's Network Florida Homebuilders Association National Association of Homebuilders Other Website Links Manatee County Supervisors of Elections Becomed involved register to vote! www.fhbia.com www.palmettofl.org www.cityofbradenton.com www.manatee.k12.fl.us Manatee County Government Florida State Government US Government Home Page American Society of Interior Designers American Institute of Architects Habitat for Humanity HUD Homeownership Center Florida Realtor Association