EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

February 20, 2009

Housing in the News This Week

The economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama this week didn’t include all of the provisions pushed for by the Fix Housing First coalition, but does offer some assistance in the form of an $8,000 tax credit for all new homebuyers. The credit runs through Nov. 30 and does not have to be repaid. The Obama administration also unveiled a $75 billion plan this week designed to slow down the flood of foreclosures commonly credited as one of the root causes of the current economic crisis (click here for CNN story). Fix Housing First reports over 180,000 messages were sent through its Web site urging Congress to include provisions to help revive the housing industry in the economic stimulus package.

Meanwhile, statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week show that housing starts and permits continued their downward trend in January. Permits for privately-owned housing units were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 521,000 in January, a 4.8% drop from a revised December rate of 547,000 and 50.5% below the revised January 2008 estimate of 1,052,000. Privately-owned housing unit starts were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 466,000, a 16.8% drop from the revised December estimate of 560,000 and 56.2% below the revised January 2008 rate of 1,064,000. Click here for the Census Bureau release and more stats.

SFPA Staff Members Recognized for Service

SFPA recognized three longtime employees for their contributions to the association. Tami Kessler, SFPA’s corporate secretary and director of administration, was selected by her coworkers as SFPA’s “Employee of the Year.” Tami, who joined SFPA’s staff in 1976, was honored for her overall assistance to the association and her coworkers in a wide variety of areas. Two employees were rewarded with promotions. Cathy Kaake, who joined SFPA’s staff in 1986, was promoted to senior director of engineered and framing markets in recognition of her long service to the association and the range of responsibilities she has taken on over the years, including spearheading the Southern Pine Council’s efforts to promote Raised Floor Living. Vernon Barabino was promoted to senior director of financial services in recognition of the growing role he has played at SFPA since joining the association’s staff in 1985. “On behalf of SFPA’s members and staff, I commend these employees for a job well done,” said President Digges Morgan.

SPC Brings Raised Floor Message to Georgia Floodplain Managers

The Southern Pine Council continues to educate key audiences on the role raised wood floor foundations play in good floodplain management. Cathy Kaake, SPFA’s senior director of engineered and framing markets, and SPC public relations consultant Kim Drew teamed up to present a session called “Elevating the Smart Way” at the Georgia Association of Floodplain Management’s Annual Technical Conference last week in Columbus, Ga. Cathy spoke about using raised floor foundations to reduce flood losses and compared the short and long-term costs of using raised floors versus slabs on fill, while Kim outlined SPC’s efforts to promote raised floors with homeowners and build/design professionals. Cathy reports she and Kim were able to talk to people who play influential roles in shaping floodplain management policies. “We’re expanding our raised floor efforts into Georgia and Florida this year, and participating in this conference provided us an opportunity to start laying some groundwork,” Cathy said. For more information, contact Cathy at 504/443-4464, ext. 213, or by e-mail at ckaake@sfpa.org.

SFPA Welcomes New Member

SFPA welcomes Sun Coast Carriers Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., as a new Associate member. A member of the DeHart Group of Companies, Sun Coast provides a variety of transportation and warehousing services and solutions. For the past 14 years, the firm has focused on providing cartage and truckload services in the Memphis commercial zone and throughout the Mid-South region. Sun Coast added intermodal drayage services in the Memphis area in 2007, and expansion plans for 2009-2010 include Savannah, Ga., Dallas and Little Rock, Ark. Visit www.suncoast-carriers.com for more information about Sun Coast and its services. The firm will be represented in SFPA by Wade Glenn, director of transportation. Wade can be reached at 901/344-4451 or by e-mail at wglenn@suncoast-carriers.com.

Office Closed Tuesday

SFPA’s office will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 24, in observance of the citywide celebration of Mardi Gras.

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