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NAHB Cuts $11.5M from Budget and Eliminates 52 Positions
(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The 235,000-member National Association of Home Builders is cutting $11.5 million from its operating budget and eliminating 52 positions to ensure the Washington-based trade group will continue to represent the residential construction industry.
About half of the 52 eliminated jobs are already vacant, according to Jerry M. Howard, NAHB's president and CEO.
Howard calls the current economic downturn "the most serious recession in more than 50 years."
Of the job cuts, he says, "In my 20 years at NAHB, including the past eight years as President and CEO, this is by far my toughest and most difficult decision.
"The staff cutbacks touch on the careers of dedicated professionals who have been committed to the mission of our industry. They are good, talented and hard-working people.
"Nevertheless, the stark financial realities confronting our association and industry cannot be ignored.'
Howard says projected income from NAHB's two principal sources -- membership and trade shows - will be down significantly in 2009. The personnel reduction was done to balance NAHB's operating budget, he says. The layoffs will take effect immediately. NAHB will also be sharply reducing expenditures previously approved for 2009.
"By taking this action now, we help position the association to maintain its advocacy leadership and vital services for an industry struggling in the toughest economic environment seen in generations," Howard adds.
He says NAHB's builder members will construct 80 percent of the nearly one million new housing units project for 2008. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations.
About half of the 52 eliminated jobs are already vacant, according to Jerry M. Howard, NAHB's president and CEO.
Jerry M. Howard
Howard calls the current economic downturn "the most serious recession in more than 50 years."
Of the job cuts, he says, "In my 20 years at NAHB, including the past eight years as President and CEO, this is by far my toughest and most difficult decision.
"The staff cutbacks touch on the careers of dedicated professionals who have been committed to the mission of our industry. They are good, talented and hard-working people.
"Nevertheless, the stark financial realities confronting our association and industry cannot be ignored.'
Howard says projected income from NAHB's two principal sources -- membership and trade shows - will be down significantly in 2009. The personnel reduction was done to balance NAHB's operating budget, he says. The layoffs will take effect immediately. NAHB will also be sharply reducing expenditures previously approved for 2009.
"By taking this action now, we help position the association to maintain its advocacy leadership and vital services for an industry struggling in the toughest economic environment seen in generations," Howard adds.
He says NAHB's builder members will construct 80 percent of the nearly one million new housing units project for 2008. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations.
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