More Than 1,300 Builders Converge On Capitol Hill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Strauss
(202) 266-8252
mstrauss@nahb.com
www.nahb.org


MORE THAN 1,300 BUILDERS CONVERGE ON CAPITOL HILL


WASHINGTON, May 10 -- More than 1,300 builders from across the
country are holding nearly 400 meetings today with their
representatives and senators to urge them to increase housing
opportunities for all Americans.

"A record number of builders have trekked to Washington for the
annual NAHB Legislative Conference, which coincides with our
spring board meeting, in order to urge their lawmakers on Capitol
Hill to enact policies that meet our nation's ongoing housing
needs," said David Pressly, president of the National Association
of Home Builders (NAHB) and a builder from Statesville, N.C.

To keep housing a national priority, builders will be calling on
their members of Congress to:

- Protect the mortgage interest deduction and other housing tax
incentives
- Enact a balanced agenda that protects the environment and
allows communities to thrive
- Recognize housing's critical contribution to the current
economic expansion
- Eliminate excessive regulations that harm housing
affordability
- Implement comprehensive immigration reform that addresses
crucial border security needs and provides for a new guest worker
program
- Maintain a strong housing finance system
- Support legislation that allows property owners more
expeditious access to federal district court review of property takings
cases

The nation's home builders are emphasizing the important role
that housing plays in maintaining a healthy economy, creating jobs
for workers in their local communities and accumulating
household wealth. Currently, housing accounts for more than 16 percent
of Gross Domestic Product, and American home owners now have more
than $11 trillion in home equity.

"Our members are walking the halls of Congress to send an
important message to their federal lawmakers - namely, to support
efforts to keep housing on track as the nation's most important
economic engine and wealth builder, and to support policies that
will increase the supply of affordable housing and expand
homeownership and rental housing opportunities for America's working
families," said Pressly.