RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS 
ARTICLE AVAILABLE

                                 As the cost of providing health
                                 care  insurance continues to rise, 
                                 many members ask for help in
                                 understanding why it is rising so
                                dramatically. Articles in the mainstream
                                 media typically address only one of the
                                 many forces that are increasing health
                                 care costs. With this in mind. Builder
                                 Services through its participation in the PHC4 is pleased to make available an excellent article about the many driving forces behind health care cost increases in the news section of the BSI website, www.builder-services.com. You can also have the article e-mailed directly to you by sending a email to [email protected] with "PHC4 article" in the subject line

H.B.A.A. 2002 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•   Developed HBAA web page

•  General membership meetings are better   

•  Increased member services

•  Changed governance structure/officers

•  Member participation better

•   New sound system

•   Retention by good follow up

•   Provided meeting speakers and education

•   Brochure almost completed on  membership benefits

•   TV advertising

•  New board meetings

•  Effective board meetings

•   Resolved Windber building License reduction ($100 to 50)

HOUSING MARKET TO REMAIN STRONG IN 2003

One of the few bright spots in the economy last year, housing is expected to continue its strong performance thru out 2003.

"2002 was a banner year for housing, with record new home sales and the highest number of housing starts in 16 years," said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. "Based on the first 11 months of the year, we expected to see an all-time high of 976,000 new home sales and 1.69 million housing starts for 2002."

The market will slow somewhat in 2003, but will still perform well, Seiders added. "Basic market fundamentals such as strong household formations, low interest rates and solid house-price performance should continue this year. As a result, we're predicting that 2003 will be the second best year for new-home sales in history."


In terms of the actual forecast, NAHB expects a total of 942,000 new-home sales in 2003, a 3.4 percent decline from last year.

Housing starts should decline about 3.5 percent to 1.63 million - 322,000 multifamily and 1.31 million single-family units.

Even though the totals will be down a bit, in a historical context, they're excellent numbers," Seiders added.