Challenging Times

from The Chalkline Summer 2020

President’s Message

Home builders take two-pronged approach to COVID-10 virus

By James Day

Life throws you curveballs from time. It’s how you deal with unexpected events that defines you.

The coronavirus is the all-time curveball, and for members of the Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties it has presented challenges in two basic areas.

First, what is the best way to keep contractors, subcon tracters and all of their employees safe on the job? Second, how do you keep Association members who might be struggling during the economic downturn supplied with information on relief programs?

Worker safety

“Worker safety has been our primary focus since the outbreak of the pandemic, as it’s the key to ensuring that the construction industry is allowed to remain working,” said Mike Erdmann, chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties. “We’ve worked to educate members and their employees about the jobsite safety and physical distancing practices needed to keep everyone safe, making sure that everyone knows that if we fail to do an excellent job of this then there’s a decent chance we’d be shut down by the state.” Erdmann credits the Oregon HBA for spearheading the effort to keep the industry working, and working safely. “Our state association took a very proactive role in working with the Governor’s office and the Oregon Health Authority to ensure that if the industry was able to follow property safety practices, we’d be allowed to continue operating. They also rushed to quickly put together a one-hour online class designed to help train contractors on the necessary safety practices, as well as formed a coalition with other statewide trade associations and trade unions to make sure we were all working together towards safe jobsite practices.” Brad Nanke, the HBA’s Director of Safety and Training, has also worked with this new coalition and Oregon-OSHA to promote safe construction sites and advise construction employers on best practices during the pandemic. One of the biggest hurdles builders have had is traveling to work sites.

“One of the real challenges for many employers has been the sharing of company vehicles,” Erdmann said. “Workers are unable to maintain proper physical distancing if they’re sharing the front seat of a vehicle together, so that’s been especially problematic for employers who send out two or more employees to a jobsite in a company rig. Continued next page

“Many have resorted to having just one employee in the company rig while other employees may drive to the jobsite in their personal vehicle.” Erdmann said he has been encouraged at the buy-in members have exhibited.

“Most everyone understands the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic, and not only do they recognize that safety and physical distancing are the keys to keeping the construction industry working, but they want to do all they can to keep everyone safe and prevent the spread of the virus,” Erdmann said. The pandemic has affected members in a variety of ways, Erdmann said. Home construction is perking along as before, with low interest rates providing some incentives for buyers. Remodeling firms and their suppliers have been facing tougher times, because homeowners are reluctant to have contractors inside their homes. Also affected, Erdmann said, are businesses that have a retail presence and depend upon consumer traffic, Another piece of the pandemic puzzle has been working with the building and planning departments of local governments. These are the folks that issue permits, process applications and conduct inspections. “We’ve gotten great cooperation from local cities and counties,” Erdmann said, “and while they’re generally working from home like most others and trying to process applications and permits electronically, they’ve been a key partner in keeping activity going. “It might take a little longer at times to get approvals, but by and large the cities and counties have been able to maintain their application and permit processes.”

Relief efforts

The chilling reports on unemployment claims and business struggles seem to come almost daily, with home builders, just like other industries, faced with getting up to speed quickly on the relief programs and financial assistance that is available for individuals and companies.

The two key pieces for builders were the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). In addition, Erdmann said, “were the new obligations employers were facing with all of the new federal require ments for unemployment insurance, paid leave and more.” “Employers had so many questions about their obligations around paid leave and unemployment, and everyone had questions about their eligibility for the PPP and EIDL

PARR SALEM

4050 Salem Ind. Dr. NE 503.390.9193 Mon - Fri: 7AM - 5PM Sat: 8AM - 4PM

SPEND $2500 ON A PARR LUMBER DECK PACKAGE & GET A FREE IMPACT DRIVER

18V LXT ® Li-Ion Brushless Cordless Impact Driver Kit (3.0 Ah) RETAIL VALUE

• • Brushless motor delivers 1,500 in. lbs. of max torque Variable speed trigger $ 144 99 • • • Compact design 5 in. length; only 3.3 lbs. 1/4 in. Hex chuck for quick bit changes Includes : Driver, (1) 18V Li-ion battery, charger & tool bag FREE

XDT131PROMO

programs, including how and where to apply, how the monies could be spent, how much could be forgiven, etc.” Erdmann said. “We worked to try to bring information to members in real time, sending out emails as the new rules were adopted and went into effect. We also partnered with other business groups in Salem, the Chamber of Commerce and other HBAs around the state to bring legal, employment and banking experts together on live webinars where members could learn about the new rules and financial assistance, and hopefully get their questions answered.”

The HBA has presented three webinars, one that dealt with employment and two more on the financial assistance programs.

One of the webinars attracted 450 participants, including 150-plus from the Marion and Polk group.

“There was tremendous demand for the information,”

We worked hard to bring information to members in real time, sending out emails as new rules were adopted.

Erdmann said.

The programs, Erdmann said, have “really helped affected businesses keep their employees on payroll during the crisis.”

And the PPP, which offers forgivable loans equal to 2.5 times monthly payroll, has “been a lifeline for many.”

The pandemic also has wreaked havoc with the Association’s calendar, which hurts both in terms of making it harder to reach new clients and on the bottom line.

The Association’s Yard, Garden and Home Show, scheduled for March 20-22, was canceled. And because the HBA is a 501c(6) nonprofit, no forgivable PPP loans are available.

The group’s Tour of Homes has been moved from late June to late July, with a golf tournament set for mid-July. Both events, Erdmann said, will involve modifications to follow the latest virus protocols.

“The ability to gather folks together and connect with each other is a major part of what we do as an association, so we’re adapting and working hard to modify our future activities,” Erdmann said.