As the housing market boomed, so have the imposition of local government impact fees to the point where the price of a new home includes fees totaling more than $60,000.  When added to the cost of a home, these fees price many homebuyers right out of the market. Over the last three years, these fees have generated more than $1 billion in revenue for local governments.

When the market slows, the per-unit fee burden becomes an anchor that weighs down consumers and the industry and threatens local government.  The trends are partly due to the cyclical nature of the housing market; however they are also exacerbated by land-use policy decisions.    Fees and other regulatory hurdles ñ combined with higher inventories and price stabilization ñ have slowed the market to the point where jobs are being lost impacting local families.  Increased regulatory costs and bureaucratic hurdles will decrease the production of well-planned communities and reduce revenues for local governments.

Click here to view a a report funded by the California Homebuilding Foundation analyzing the overall fiscal effects of housing statewide

Click here to read BIA's letter to local elected officials about the negative effects fees have on homeownership

Click here to read BIA's Fall 2007 letter to local elected officials

 A home is more than just a place for a family to call their own. Homes offer great benefits to both local and state economies. The articles below show just home much new homes impact our economy and quality of life. Take a look!