The newly developing interest in green homes and sustainable energy has meant that several new green programs and standards in construction and house building have been introduced that do not have CHBA approval.
Their concern is centred on the new LEED-H standard that is currently being developed in Canada by the Canadian Green Building Council. The CHBA are concerned that municipalities will regulate the building of new houses by insisting on LEED compliance, thus circumnavigating the CHBA system of codes and standards.
The vice president of CHBA pointed out that the LEED standards are developed by a private group to suit their own agenda, and that this is not the way building standards are introduced in the country. He added that the codes and standards development processes are rigorous, transparent and involve a lot of accountability.
Interest in homes with high-energy efficiency and sustainable building practices has prompted several new 'green' programs and standards to be introduced in Canada.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED standards are based on five principal categories: energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, materials and resources, sustainable sites and water efficiency.
Currently they are only applied to commercial and multi-housing construction, but now standards for LEED -H are being developed to include domestic housing.
CHBA has developed an outline for domestic housing; R-2000 was introduced twenty years ago and has had several updates since then. Its mandate was to build super energy efficient homes; a criterion that has brought international demand for Canadian home designs from all over the world. Countries such as Chile, Ireland and Russia are just a few of the countries that have used Canadian building consultants and expertise.
However, builders have said that back home in Canada, the R-2000 was a tough sell. Rather than spend extra money on energy efficiency, prospective home owners would opt to spend their money on upgraded finishes, which gave more visual enjoyment.
As with many green issues, until the Government step in to legislate and demand forms of energy-saving, by law, home owners the world over will often choose to spend their home owner's money on visual appeal.
The CHBA have said that it is time to upgrade their R-2000 standard to serve its original purpose which was to provide an elite standard of energy and environmental performance that will stimulate innovation within the home building industry.
Sounds like something has stimulated innovation within the Canadian Home Builders Association....?
HBA's Mission
The mission of the HBA is to:
? Provide valuable services and products to our growing membership, which increases profitability, professionalism and consumer value in the housing industry.
? Ensure an economically viable building environment.
? Promote public policy solutions that serve both the housing industry's and community's needs.
Its vision involves promoting policies and practices that support free enterprise and the creation of new communities which will help to grow and sustain the Atlanta region.
The HBA is a not-for-profit organization which was founded in 1945 and has experienced an ever-increasing membership which showcases the changing climate of the homebuilding industry and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the industry.
The HBA is now comprised of ten, different chapters which are led by member volunteers and professional staff members. The goal of the HBA is clear: it will strive to address issues which affect the professionals within the association.
Under this system, the HBA has won countless awards, honors and recognition over the years.
National Affiliation
The HBA is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, as well as the Home Builders Association of Georgia.
As the second biggest local homebuilders association in America, HBA has for 14 consecutive years, from 1991 to 2004, represented the most active residential building market in the country. It currently has 2,450 members.
HBA Members
Members of the HBA include homebuilders, trade contractors, building material manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, lending institutions, real estate companies, utilities, surveyors, title companies, attorneys, accountants, engineers, architects, designers and more.
HBA Councils
The HBA offers special interest councils which are designed to target the specific needs of members within the association.
The councils of the HBA include:
Associates Council ? The Associates Council allows associates to partner with home builders.
Atlanta 50+ Housing Council ? The Atlanta 50+ Housing Council focuses on all aspects of active adult housing, which includes building, design, development, finance, marketing and sales.
Remodelers Council ? The Remodelers Council helps remodeling companies gain support and knowledge through meetings and education seminars.
Sales and Marketing Council ? The Sales and Marketing Council helps sales and marketing professionals through special events, education, specialized communications and certification programs. It also coordinates the OBIE awards, which are the highest honors within the Atlanta housing industry.
Builder/Developer/Lender Council ? This council provides information and economic forecasts to industry members. It also includes meetings and roundtable discussions among builders, developers, lenders and suppliers that focus on the metro Atlanta housing market.
HBA's Professional Designations and Certifications
The professional designations and certifications offered through the HBA include:
Both Joe Samson & Tina Fountain T are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Joe Samson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Home Renovation Ideas. This article was written on behalf of Joe Samson, a REALTOR® who has been helping clients achieve their goals in the market since the year 2000. If you. Joe Samson's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Tina Fountain T has sinced written about articles on various topics from Sell Home, Real Estate and Travel and Leisure. Tina Fountain is the Broker Owner of Tina Fountain Realtors, an company. Tina and her staff of professional agents serve the entire metro Atlanta. Tina Fountain T's top article generates over 7480000 views. to your Favourites.