Happy August everyone! Seems like just yesterday I was penning this column for June and by the time you read this summer will be two-thirds over. Of course, from a weather perspective, the worst is …
New Coastal Building Code Effective September 1
Starting September 1, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) will require that builders adhere to the 2018 windstorm provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC) if they are building in coastal areas. TDI adopted the …
Primary Election Runoff Review
Last month, the Republican and Democratic primary runoff elections were finally concluded and all candidates for the November general election were decided. Due to COVID-19, this process took nearly five months from the beginning of early …
HistoryMaker Benefit Home Under Contract in Sierra Vista
HistoryMaker Homes has announced that the GHBA Benefit Home they constructed in Sierra Vista is now under contract with a closing set for early August. Dozens of companies were involved with the home’s construction as …
Virtual Membership Drive Grows Association Ranks
The GHBA held a virtual Membership Drive throughout the month of June. Since we were unable to call on site at the GHBA, 38 member volunteers called from their homes, offices and even their cars …
City of Houston to Require Floodplain Identification on General Plans
Starting on July 24, 2020, the City of Houston Planning Department will require that the 100-year, 500-year floodplains and floodway be identified on all general plans submitted to the department with the Plat Tracker application. …
Member Newsmaker: Ed Taravella
Edward Taravella is the president of TARACORP, a commercial real estate investment, development and brokerage firm specializing in land and residential subdivisions. TARACORP was formed in 1995 and has been involved in the development of …
Member Newsmaker: Dave Yelovich
Originally from Illinois, Dave attended Texas Tech University to study architecture and later graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Science. He has been in construction for 35 years, with the last 30 years as a home builder in and around …
Harris County Announces Small Business Recovery Fund
On Monday, Harris County began accepting applications for the Harris County Small Business Recovery Fund (SBRF) program with the application period running until July 24. This is a $30 million grant program designed to assist …
An Open Letter on Coronavirus Safety from GHBA President Rob Hellyer
GHBA Members: Thank you for your dedication to building and remodeling our region’s homes and for your steadfast commitment to jobsite safety during this unprecedented time. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted local housing affordability …
Planning for Hurricanes and Natural Disasters Amid COVID-19
Repost from NAHB Now The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects an above-normal hurricane season with a total 13-19 named storms forecasted. This forecast comes at a very challenging time for many, particularly in …
Standing Strong
Those of you who attended the 2020 GHBA board installation in January may remember the theme “Standing Strong, Tenacity Takes Root in Houston.” NEVER, did I imagine that it would be a prophecy for the …
HOME-PAC Voter Guide
Early voting for the 2020 Republican & Democratic Primary Election Runoff is underway and runs through July 10 with the Primary Runoff Election Day on July 14. Electing the most qualified, pro-housing candidates for office …
LEGO Future Home Builders Competition
Calling all kids and kids-at-heart! Looking for something fun to do while you’re stuck at home? The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) is challenging all LEGO builders ages 3-100 to show off your master homebuilding, …
Building ‘Homes for Good’ Begins with the Developer
This 40th anniversary of the GHBA Benefit Homes Project is a milestone, with nearly $12 million raised since its inception. And it all begins with the developer who identifies a lot they are willing to …