It is a challenging time to be in the home construction and remodeling industry, but the need to be vigilant in protecting the rights and opportunities of the home building community remains.

Without aggressive outreach to policymakers, the legislature and judicial bodies, the home building industry will face even more restrictions on its capacity to grow – not something anyone needs as we attempt to emerge from a recession. Your State Association has been representing you in dealing with these challenges for many years. We now need your help to continue.

In 2002, the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts (HBAM) launched its first significant Public Policy Fund Campaign. This effort resulted in significant member donations to the Public Policy Fund that were essential in our groundbreaking efforts to help sponsor the Pioneer Institute study on local regulation, conduct analysis of the study data by a renowned Harvard economist, and promote a significant public relations campaign in connection with the study’s release.

The Public Policy Fund has also been essential to our continued lobbying and public relations efforts on HBAM sponsored legislation, as well as proposed changes involving Chapter 40B, wetlands, storm water control, and endangered species, together with participation in significant court cases through the filing of amicus briefs.

We cannot continue to do this work without an immediate replenishing of the Public Policy Fund account. The problem is now. We need your assistance so that we may carry on our current efforts on the following issues, which are just a small sample of current initiatives:

• PERMIT EXTENSION ACT: Favorable legislation that would provide beneficial relief to approved projects, providing a 2 year extension on permit deadlines, so that permits do not lapse as a result of non-use.

• CHAPTER 40B REPEAL INITIATIVE: A renewed, unfavorable effort by opponents of Chapter 40B to repeal the Comprehensive Permit statute.

• ZONING REFORM LEGISLATION: Unfavorable legislation that could severely decrease plan freeze and zoning protections and eliminate Approval Not Required (ANR) endorsement.

• STORM WATER REGULATIONS: Unfavorable regulatory changes that could affect existing uses and require significant and costly retrofitting of storm water control structures.

• SUBDIVISION ROADWAY STANDARDS: Favorable policy development involving the promulgation of reasonable roadway specifications for statewide use.

• NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM STANDARDS: Unfavorable regulatory program lacking transparency and responsiveness that often causes significant development delays and loss of development rights.

In response to these demands, HBAM has embarked on a renewed Public Policy Fund Campaign in order to restore much needed funding for public policy efforts on your behalf. Our current goal is $100,000.00, and we need to achieve significant progress toward this goal by year’s end.

We all make contributions to causes we believe in, often to causes that touch us emotionally. We balance those contributions against our ability to generate income and sustain a certain standard of living. HBAM’s efforts to protect the rights and opportunities of the home building community, stabilizes our livelihoods and enables members to continue to support those other causes that are near and dear to our hearts.

As you weigh how to allocate your resources, please join the Public Policy Fund Campaign Committee, and consider this important request today. Your contribution will be a crucial part in our efforts to advocate on your behalf.

You may make contributions right now through our PayPal Account (click here) or by check (click here).

Thank you for your support, leadership and participation in all that HBAM does and particularly your contribution to this effort.

Tax Disclosure Information

The Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, Inc. is a non- profit trade association as described by the Internal Revenue Code, section 501 (c) 6. Therefore, your contribution to the organization for the Public Policy Fund may or may not qualify as a federal income tax business deduction. You are encouraged to consult your legal and/or tax advisor for an opinion.

In accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, no deduction is allowed, as a trade or business expense, for any amount paid or incurred in connection with influencing, or attempting to influence legislation. The Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, Inc. has determined that approximately 25% of the contribution to the organization, for the Public Policy Fund will be used for such purposes.

Payments to the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, Inc. are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes.