"Northern Lights": June 2015

President's Message

The Multi-generational Household Trend

Don DiNovi

Family households consisting of three or more generations, or “multi-generational households,” have become increasingly popular in recent years. According to the most recent Census, approximately 4.4 million American homes had three generations or more living under one roof in 2010, a 15% increase from two years earlier. This is 5.6% of the total of 76.4 million U.S. households with more than one person.

There are many reasons for this trend. The recent recession caused many adult children to return home after college, either because they weren’t able to get jobs that would cover rent, or they wanted to save up to buy homes of their own. According to Pew Institute research, the share of the U.S. population aged 25 to 34 living in their parent’s home increased to 23.6% in 2012. That’s up from 18.7% in 2007 and 11% in 1980.

For many ethnic and immigrant groups, multiple generations of a family living together is a common cultural custom.

Multi-generational households also form so that grandparents can help take care of their grandchildren, and as they age, their children can care for them. This type of arrangement can ease financial burdens as well, with several generations contributing to the mortgage payment and not having to incur the expenses of childcare, retirement housing or professional care-giving environments.

Home builders and remodelers are building and renovating homes to meet the needs of multi-generational households. These designs allow many generations of the same family to live together under one roof yet have private areas as well as combined living space.

Features of multi-generational home plans can include in-law suites within the main home with separate areas for independent living. These often have kitchenettes and en suite bathrooms, and sometimes private entrances from the street. They frequently include "universal design" features, which focus on maximum usability by people of all ages and abilities. Examples include walk-in showers, smooth flooring transitions, and cabinets with pull-out drawers.

Building professionals who have earned the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation have received training on how to build or renovate a home so that the occupants can live in the home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of their age or ability level. They have been taught the strategies and techniques for designing and building aesthetically pleasing, barrier-free living environments. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and health care professionals.

To learn more about multi-generational home plans or to find a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, contact Kathleen M. Kurpiel, executive vice president of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern New Jersey kathleen@brannj.org

Regards,

Don

BRANNJ's 68th Annual Golf Outing Was a Day to Remember!

Thank you to all members and guests who joined us at our 68^th Annual Golf Outing & Scholarship Awards event on May 27^th at River Vale Country Club, helping to make this year’s event a tremendous success! Special thanks to all of our generous sponsors listed on the Program below. We truly appreciate your support and urge all members to patronize these outstanding companies.

Golf winners: Best Foursome: Boiling Springs Savings Bank; Second Place Foursome: ABC Supply 1; Most Honest Foursome: ABC Supply 2; Longest Drive: Chris Heath; Closest to the Line: Sean Bradley; Closest to the Pin: Anthony DelGaudio; Beat the Pro: Ken Colangelo. Thank you to our Golf Committee Chairs, Don DiNovi of Ulrich and Victoria Reczkowski of Ferguson. A very special thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, Past President Jeff Mathieu and to Scholarship Awards Chair, Kara Kaczynski, Esq. of Scarinci Hollenbeck.

Congratulations to our three Scholarship Award winners: Ryan Yannotti (Donald Van Natta Memorial Scholarship); Christina Rubino (Alex Sands Memorial Scholarship) and Tommaso Dato (John and Helen Durante and Family Trust Scholarship). Scholarship Awards are presented from the BRANNJ Foundation to eligible area students who are pursuing a degree of study in building and construction industry related fields.

For event pictures, click here

Let Begin! Click here

Thank You, Sponsors! (please click on picture for larger view)

... is on Arthur Aranda, TD Bank

Two Minutes on Two Types of Construction Loans (click here)

Increasing Housing Affordability Opens Doors to Homeownership for More Americans

Statement from NAHB Chairman Tom Woods on EPA Water Rule

55+ Housing: Some Thoughts from the New Guy

NAHB: Generational Shifts (click here for series of articles)

Save the Dates

Tuesday, June 16^th—Educational Event-Put the Law on YOUR Side-Part 2. Don’t miss this interactive seminar and learn valuable information for builders, contractors and associates on contract negotiation and how to protect your business in a fast changing business climate. 6:00PM Scarinci Hollenbeck, Lyndhurst, NJ. To register, click here

September (TBA)—Texas Hold 'Em Night

October 13^th —Joint meeting with the National Kitchen and Bath Association at the new PIRCH showroom in Paramus

November 19th-Reno’s Appliance Pre-Holiday Building Industry Networking Event

December 3rd- Annual Winter Showcase Beefsteak & Tabletop Night

Our Sister HBA, the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of NJ, is offering building industry educational programs. Click here to view courses, dates and times!