News and Opinion posts below are in roughly chronological order (most recent at the top).
Whether an item is news or opinion, everyone can quibble.  We think it’s all relevant to our vision and mission to 
“Build CT’s Economy, Communities and Better Lives, Using Effective Advocacy and New Knowledge to Solve our Member’s Problems.”

HBRACT NEWS:

Congratulations to Attorney Tim Hollister of Shipman & Goodwin, LLP and the NAHB For a Historic Supreme Court Win in Favor of Property Owners – Knicks Decision Reverses 1985 Ruling Click Here for Power Point Presentation

CHFA Free Affordable Housing Listing Service

Housing Development Fund’s Multi Family Funding Program

HBRACT Opinions

2022

https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/apartment-developers-homebuilders-feel-global-supply-chain-pains-but-good-projects-still– Eric Santini, Santini Homes, Chairman & President of HBRA of CT and Eric Lovely, owner of Lovely Development 

2021

CT Insider- Why more people are buying condos in Connecticut by Jim Perras, HBRACT CEO

The Connecticut Examiner, Supply Delays by Jim Perras, HBRACT CEO

Energy News Network-Connecticut considers stretch code that lets cities push builders on efficiency by Jim Perras, HBRACT CEO

2020

Connecticut bill would give homebuyers, renters more transparency on energy costs

2019

CT Mirror: Not all Builder & Trade Associations for Tolls – by Chris Nelson, HBRACT President

CT Mirror: Make CT More Accomodating to Housing & Business– by Jim Perras, HBRACT CEO 

2018

Please Do No Harm – Help Housing Recover

2017 State Legislative Session Wrap-Up – by Bill Ethier, HBRACT CEO

Oppose Mandatory Sprinklers in New Town home – CT needs affordable homes; fire sprinklers should be consumer’s choice.

Connecticut: Not So Bad for Business, Companies Doing Well – “The solid results go right across industries … Only home builders on our client list are languishing.”

CBIA unhappy with steady job loss in CT – everyone should be unhappy with CT’s dismal job performance

2016-2017 Resolution for a Better Connecticut -HBRACT urges all state and local candidates to embrace this resolution.

Real Estate is vital to the economy – USA Today opinion piece

A Millennial Tells Why He Left CT Twice -“It’s the economy, stupid.”

Where Has All the Money Gone? 25th Anniversary of CT’s Income Tax – Yankee Institute of Public Policy

2016 Legislative Session – HBRA Testimony, Find Your Legislators & More

HBRA testifies on crumbling concrete issue – Our 2-prong solution is logical and will solve current and future issues.  J.J. Mottes blames builders’ installers – argument debunked by HBRA.

It’s More than Just Smoke Alarms – HBRA responds to Nat’l Fire Sprinklers Assoc’s despicable and hypocritical comments about home builders.

HBRA Fights Mandate to Install Fire Sprinklers in all new 1&2 Family Homes – On 7-18 vote, sprinkler mandate overwhelmingly defeated in committee.

HBRA Comments on CEQ Stormwater Report-Jan 27 2016 (2).pdf – see more info on stormwater regulation here.

Sales tax exemption for weatherization products is repealed in the legislature’s special session – an unwelcome surprise. 
DRS Issued a Special Notice stating its interpretation of the new law – see SN 2015(11).

HBRA Files Comments with DEEP on its Municipal Stormwater Permit (aka MS4) – State’s mandate on municipalities effectively breaches a settlement agreement the HBRA reached with DEEP just two years ago.

HBRA Recommends Tax Changes to State Tax Panel – “Housing can lead the way to job growth and economic recovery.”

Fire Sprinklers in New Homes – the Significance of Perspective.pdf –  … and why a mandate is a bad idea, Bill Ethier

HBRA Opposes Higher State Spending and More Taxes:  “We’re headed in the wrong direction.  …  We’re not asking the state to do more with less.  We’re demanding the state to do less with less.”

HBRA’s 2015 State Legislative Priorities  (as of 5-5-15; You won’t believe the legislation we’re opposing.)