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The SouthWest Suburban Home Builders
Association (SSHBA) is a professional
organization representing and promoting the
interest and advancement of the home
building industry.
We as the SouthWest Suburban Home Builders
Association along with the Home Builders
Association of Illinois (HBAI) and the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
strive to provide a forum to support the
industry through proactive leadership and
education.
The association promotes high standards,
professionalism and service within the
building industry and supports the American
dream of home ownership by:
- Being
the unified voice for building industry
issues
-
Promoting political involvement and
awareness
-
Providing educational programs,
services, activities, and networking
opportunities
The roots of the SouthWest Suburban Home
Builders Association date back to 1946
when the basis of the organization was
formed to represent the housing
industry. The membership of today’s
Association is governed by a President
elected from the builder members and a
Board of Directors consisting of over
twenty dedicated builders and
associates. The SSHBA currently
represents over 450 industry members in
the South and Southwest suburbs of
Chicago, making it one of the top three
builder associations based on membership
in the state of Illinois.
Networking with Local and National
Affiliations
The SSHBA represents a strong local
network of over 600 builder and
associate members. By joining SSHBA, you
automatically receive a membership in
the Home Builders Association of
Illinois (HBAI) with a membership of
4,100 and the National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB) which is over
235,000 members strong. All of these
forces join together forming a unified
voice on difficult issues impacting the
building industry. NAHB membership
provides a strong foundation for
business success through access to
business and industry related products,
services and staff experts.
Recognition and Product Exposure
Get involved and you get noticed. Get
noticed and you gain sales and profits.
Participation in the SSHBA activities
such as Membership Meetings, 500 Club
Associate Showcase, Spring & Fall Golf
Outings and Sports Night provides
publicity for you and your company
before potential clients. This broadens
your base of business associates. Backed
by the Association name and credibility,
you are steps ahead of the competition.
Association affiliation promotes and
strengthens your credibility and
professionalism.
Education, Publications, and Information
The vast amount of changing information
in today’s market makes education
critical to staying competitive. SSHBA
provides seminars and publications to
keep you on the cutting edge of
technology. Speakers at general
membership meetings address issues such
as economic trend forecasts, business
management, building codes, technology
and finance. Membership in the
Association also entitles you to
information access through NAHB and
their National Housing Library and
Westlaw legal research system. In
addition, the NAHB Annual Convention &
Trade Show is the industry’s largest
featuring over 170 seminars and almost
half a million square feet of product
exhibits.
Legislation and Representation
Nothing can impact your business more
than legislation. The SSHBA endeavors to
take as proactive a role as possible to
monitor local and state legislation that
directly impacts the housing industry.
The NAHB, of which you are also a
member, monitors federal legislation.
Collectively we work to be able to have
an impact with legislators and on
legislation affecting housing. We may
choose to support candidates of any
party for governmental offices as well.
The Governmental Affairs Committee is
dedicated to managing this process for
our members. The SSHBA has been
instrumental in effecting code revisions
such as the change to plastic plumbing
pipe in Orland Park. A Municipal
Outreach Program has been initiated to
open dialogue between local builders and
municipal officials. Many times these
officials do not understand the
potential ramifications to housing if
certain laws or policies are passed. We
work to create a positive reputation and
working relationship with all lawmakers
and only ask for an audience so we may
explain our side of an issue.
In 2005, the Southwest Suburban
Homebuilders Association Political
Action Committee (SSHA PAC) was formed
to promote awareness about housing
issues and to support candidates,
officials, and causes that advocate home
ownership. We strive to keep safe the
process of planning and approving new
housing developments and the process of
physically constructing each home
without excessive fees and red tape.
Funds raised will help the SSHA become
more politically active and influential
with local and state officials.
On the state level, the Illinois Home
Builders Political Education Committee (IHBPEC)
has been providing the housing industry
with a voice in government through the
support of elected officials and
candidates committed to the future of
the housing industry in Illinois. The
political affiliate of the Home Builders
Association of Illinois, IHBPEC is the
only statewide political action
committee that specifically represents
the building industry. Funds raised by
IHBPEC are contributed to those
political candidates for the state
legislature and executive branch who
have demonstrated their interest,
understanding and support of the housing
industry without regard to party
affiliation. By supporting state
lawmakers who craft and pass
builder-friendly legislation, IHBPEC
saves your business thousands of
dollars. IHBPEC is dedicated to
fostering a builder-friendly climate in
Illinois so quality, affordable housing
can be provided to all citizens in
Illinois. HBAI was also instrumental in
effecting passage of the Model Home Tax
Assessment Act, which provides Illinois
homebuilders property tax relief on
model homes. On the national level, the
NAHB Build-Pac Action Committee
contributes to political campaigns
advocating housing and supports NAHB’s
legislative agenda.
Sales and Marketing Council (SMC)
Chartered in 1994, the largest special
interest group of SSHBA, the SMC was
established to provide a forum for sales
staff training. The SMC provides support
for a full array of industry awards
programs. In addition, educational
programs, such as the Certified Sales
Professional (CSP), the Master Certified
New Home Sales Professional (MCSP),
Institute of Residential Marketing
designation (MIRM) and Home Buyers
Schools are available. The SMC provides
motivational and educational speakers
during the year. The Council serves as a
forum for innovative approaches to
sales, as well as provides networking
opportunities for sales related
associates.
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