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November 20, 2009

Housing Numbers Dip in October

New residential construction permits and starts were less than stellar in October, according to numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week. At least some of the slide may be attributable to the fact that builders and potential buyers were waiting see if a tax credit for homebuyers would be extended. An extended and expanded credit was signed into law last week. 

Meanwhile, permits for privately owned housing units in October were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 552,000, 4% below the revised September rate of 575,000. Permits for single-family homes were only slightly down at a rate of 451,000, which is a fifth of a percent lower than the September figure of 452,000.

The drop for October starts was a bit deeper. Overall, privately owned housing starts last month were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000, 10.6% below the revised September estimate of 592,000. Single-family starts were at a rate of 476,000, a 6.8% decrease from 511,000 starts the previous month.

Click here for the full Census Bureau news release with complete statistics.

Southern Pine Represented at Green Show

In a year when trade show and conference attendance has suffered due to a down economy, the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Phoenix last week was quite a hit. An estimated 28,000 people attended the show sponsored by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), operators of the “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) green building rating system. “This show has grown into one of the largest shows for the building products industry and is definitely where the crowds are going now,” said Russell Richardson, SFPA’s director of industrial markets, who represented Southern Pine at the show from the Wood Products Council exhibit. 

While at the show, Russell also attended a seminar about the ongoing debate on LEED’s acceptance of a broader range of certified wood products. The USGBC is proposing to modify its requirements to accept products certified through systems other than the one offered by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), but in order to earn LEED points, those systems must meet certain benchmarks set by the USGBC. 

“Wood advocates say the benchmarks will simply maintain LEED’s current policy of single-sourcing FSC products rather than objectively measuring all certifications,” Russell said. “Environmentalists are also not happy with the current language, saying the USGBC relaxed its standards too much.” He reports that Brendan Owens, vice president for LEED technical development, said it is USGBC’s goal to bring the new credit revisions to a ballot, which will be voted on by USGBC members, or initiate a third public comment period by the end of this year. “The unhappiness of both groups will likely force another public comment period,” Russell said. 

With the nonresidential and residential green building market expected to grow to $96-$104 billion by 2013, the wood industry’s participation in events like Greenbuild is crucial, Russell says. “The emergence of green building revolves around trying new products and new methods,” he explains. “Educating audiences on the positive environmental attributes of wood and simply being present at these shows helps determine whether wood products will be used.”

For more information on Greenbuild and the LEED debate, please contact Russell at 504/443-4464, ext.239, or by email rrichardson@sfpa.org. 

Free Four-day Passes to IBS Available

The National Association of Home Builders is offering free four-day passes to its International Builders’ Show Jan. 19-22 in Las Vegas. The exhibits-only passes are available by registering at www.buildersshow.com/fourday. Those who register by Dec. 11 will receive their badges by mail. Later registrants can pick up their badges on-site, starting Jan. 18. Spouses attend free.

And while you’re at IBS, be sure to visit SFPA staff members and the Southern Pine Council in exhibit N2051, which, of course, will highlight the advantages of using Southern Pine. For more information, contact Richard Wallace at 504/443-4464, ext. 236, or by e-mail at rwallace@sfpa.org.   

Office Closed for Thanksgiving

SFPA’s office will be closed Thursday and Friday of next week for Thanksgiving. Our office will reopen Monday, Nov. 30, and the next issue of our newsletter will be delivered on Friday, Dec. 4. In the meantime, we hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday with plenty of great food!

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