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Association Officials Note that Many Firms Report They Are Struggling to Find Qualified Workers to Hire, Urge Greater Investment in Career and Technical Education and Other Construction Prep Programs

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations, first quarter 2017 commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations increased 9 percent compared to the same period last year, and in line with the seasonality of market, first quarter originations were twenty-seven percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2016

Mortgage credit availability decreased in April according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which analyzes data from Ellie Mae's AllRegs® Market Clarity® business information tool.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) applauds Congress and the Trump Administration on the Omnibus spending bill passed today to keep the Federal Government funded through September, as it includes funding for several of the public clean water sector’s most important priorities.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today commended Finance Committee Ranking Democrat Ron Wyden (D-OR) for reintroducing his legislation to provide a technology-neutral approach to smart, job-creating incentives for the deployment of clean energy. Following is a statement from SEIA’s president and CEO, Abigail Ross Hopper:

The Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 90, sending the bill to Governor Rick Scott. The measure implements Amendment 4 of 2016, which Florida citizens approved with 73 percent of the vote last August. The measure reduces tax barriers for Floridians who want to go solar, while also ensuring proper consumer protections are in place.

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will deliver a mobile workshop during the 2017 American Planning Association’s (APA) National Planning Conference. This workshop will provide a firsthand look at one of the communities most acutely impacted by Super Storm Sandy and the processes involved in its rebuild

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, today issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017

Despite a 12-point drop from the previous quarter, builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remains in positive territory for the first quarter of 2017 with a reading of 55, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This is the 12th consecutive quarter with a reading above 50, which means that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

Based on current price, permit and employment data, markets nationwide are running at an average of 100 percent normal economic and housing activity, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) released today

A new issue brief from the Center for American Progress details the substantial harm that cuts to Medicaid, such as the federal funding caps in the House health care bill, would have on children with disabilities who rely on the Medicaid program to help them learn and grow in their homes and communities. The impact could include a loss of prescription medication, as well as cuts to special education programs in schools, speech and physical therapy, screenings, home-based services, and diagnostic screenings to identify and address disabilities and developmental delays earl

WASHINGTON – Congress should fully fund federal energy efficiency initiatives because they deliver huge savings to U.S. consumers and businesses while supporting more than...

The American Water Works Association today celebrated news that 43 entities have expressed interest in loans through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and urged increased funding to confront the U.S. water infrastructure challenge.

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, partnered with the American Planning Association (APA) to conduct the Community Planning Workshop during the 2017 APA National Planning Conference. This workshop will provide a firsthand look at one community damaged by Super Storm Sandy as well as the opportunity for participants to find unique solutions to the community’s recovery

As Older Americans Month begins in May, NeighborWorks America recognizes the importance of helping older adults make safe, informed and healthy decisions, including aging in their own homes. By 2030, one in five U.S. adults will be 65 or older, so it is vital to focus on the service needs of older adults.

Mortgage applications decreased 0.1 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 28, 2017

Construction spending is at record levels for the second straight month in March and is up 4.9 percent for the first three months of year compared to the same period in 2016, despite dipping slightly compared to February, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said many firms are eager to see details of the President’s pending infrastructure plan, which should boost construction demand

The National Low Income Housing Coalition commends members of Congress for reaching a strong bipartisan spending agreement for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2017 that provides HUD and USDA with the resources they need to ensure millions of the poorest among us have a place to call home. We urge Congress to pass the clean FY17 omnibus spending package as soon as possible.

The Trump administration today announced the nomination of Pam Patenaude as deputy secretary. Following is a statement from NAR President William E. Brown on the nomination