ADVOCACY

Balancing Codes To Boost Our Border City Housing Market by Mark Puppe, Communications & Public Affairs Strategist

Dilworth City Administrator Peyton Mastera wanted to add a deck to his home and a Minnesota-based contractor to build it. He did find a Minnesota deck contractor, but also one unwilling to build due to the complexity of the state’s building code and the cost to comply.

Surprised by the finding, Mastera connected with the HBA of F-M which is collaborating with Minnesota legislators and city officials who see and want to correct the problems that code imbalance creates in the border cities they represent. Our partnership will help legislators throughout Minnesota finally understand that code uniformity will help cities compete and local incentives like the Make Moorhead Home Property Tax Rebate Program generate even larger returns.

Efforts like this have been undertaken before. In 2015, the city of Moorhead explained to Minnesota lawmakers that, “Consumers care about cost, and these code differences measurably add to housing cost in Moorhead and make Fargo and West Fargo more affordable options.” The legislation being discussed did not pass and costs have not declined.

This time is different. We have a one-of-a-kind partnership of Minnesota legislators, border city officials and the HBA of F-M locking arms with the collective understanding that perpetual imbalance and inaction will worsen the impact of other problems - like lumber and labor shortages - impeding the home builders and buyers like never before, and more profoundly, those in Minnesota.

HBA members report that a home built in Moorhead costs about $5,000 more than the same home built in Moorhead. Meetings with builder associations in eastern Minnesota report parallel disparity: homes built in Minnesota cost about $5,000 more than the same home, apple-to-apple, in nearby Wisconsin cities.

Adding home attainability to the equation makes the losses even more poignant.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, for every $1,000 added to the cost of building a home in the Fargo-Moorhead Metro, 118 are priced out of the market. It goes without saying but code disparities limit consumer choice and make

North Dakota homes more appealing and affordable than those in Minnesota.

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Unfortunately, more than profitability and attainability suffer from code disparities, the entire ecosystem of the encumbered cities, such as Moorhead and Dilworth, suffer losses in tax base, business activity and other positives. Code uniformity and simplicity in the FargoMoorhead Metro are just two of many ways to encourage Minnesota builders to operate in Minnesota and enable our cities, on both sides of the Red, to reap the innumerable benefits that a solid and fair housing market creates.

Legislators and officials from the FargoMoorhead Metro understand what is at stake, but others will need to be convinced until they understand the damages caused by code disparities, and that approving remedial legislation is urgent. Relentless advocacy can accomplish that during the 2021 legislative session.

Lisa Bode, government affairs director in Moorhead, says “We’re hoping that the timing is right as we work together with the HBA to convince the state of Minnesota to allow uniform code standards between Moorhead and Dilworth and our North Dakota sister cities in the metro.”

Even though the housing market in the Fargo-Moorhead Metro is relatively strong, it can be stronger when public and private stakeholders show Minnesota lawmakers and agencies that markets do

not stop at the borders.

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Hammond Says Goodbye

Over the past three years, Summer Hammond has worked tirelessly as the HBA of F-M’s education and development coordinator. Her talents have contributed greatly to the success of the HBA and Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation.

Hammond and her family are moving to the Perham area where she will be working for United Way. HBA of F-M leaders and staff wish her good luck as she begins her new chapter!

Hildebrand Retires From Fargo Inspections

Hap Hildebrand retired from Fargo's inspections department and a celebration was held July 28 at Sidestreet Grille & Pub. Hildebrand was a fixture in the local building industry for many years. In addition to his time as a residential inspector, he worked for Eid-Co Buildings, Inc., and was an active volunteer for the HBA of F-M. Enjoy retirement, Hap!

Schall Receives Remodelers Leadership Scholarship

Steve Schall, Wood Specialists, Inc., has been awarded a National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Leadership Scholarship. It provides $1,500 to help defray expenses to attend national Remodelers meetings.

Schall is a member of NAHB Remodelers through the HBA of F-M’s Remodelers Council and currently serves as vice chair locally. NAHB Remodelers members enjoy a wide variety of benefits and resources, including exclusive professional development, industry-specific education, networking opportunities, and awards and recognition programs. Members also get access to the information they need to stay on top of the latest legislative and regulatory issues.

For more information on joining NAHB Remodelers, contact Spencer Carlson at (701) 232-5846 or spencer@hbafm.com.

College-Level Scholarship Applications Due Sept. 25

Scholarship applications are available for college students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Moorhead, Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead, North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and North Dakota State University. The deadline to submit is Sept. 25. Visit hbcfm.com, email info@hbafm.com or call (701) 232-5846.

MN Contractor Continuing Education Features Moorhead Building Official

Minnesota builders and remodelers! Save the date for the HBA of F-M’s Minnesota building contractor continuing education Jan. 26 and Feb. 18. This year’s class is all new, taught by Moorhead Building Official Jack Nyberg. He will address code changes affecting you, best practices in the field and more. The class is pending approval by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for seven credits.

HBA Ballots Coming In Early October

The HBA of F-M will mail ballots in early October to elect directors for its board. Please be sure to fill these out promptly and mail back to the office in the provided envelope. Faxes and copies cannot be accepted.

Get A Bundle For Your Office Today Contact Tahra Doll (701) 232-5846 tahra@hbafm.com

METRO HOUSING Development Map

Great for banks, Realtors, suppliers and more! City details for Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo + Cass and Clay Counties.

F-M METRO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT MAP Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead