Building Industry of Southern California Hosts Successful Economic Forecast and Housing Strategy Summit

IRVINE, Calif., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) and their Los Angeles/Ventura (LA/V) Chapter hosted the Economic Forecast & Housing Strategy Summit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. on April 25th. The event was co-hosted by Southern California Leadership Council (SCLC) and had over 200 registered attendees.

The event took place from 3pm - 8pm consisting of a library tour, all-regions board meeting, VIP Reception and concluded with a special guests panel featuring local elected representatives. In attendance were BIASC leadership and Chapter Presidents, along with Southern California's top builders and landowners.

Former California Governor Pete Wilson, the 36th Governor of California, recorded a message for the audience stating Sacramento must reduce the regulatory burdens homebuilders face in order to reverse the state's declining homeownership rates. "Ten years ago, 50% of Californians could afford a medium priced home, but now it's less than half that, and each time the home affordability statistic drops another point, another swath of our population loses its hold on the American dream of ownership," he said. "That is a tragedy, because it also means that all the economic and social benefits that come with home ownership have been lost for them."

Guests heard opening remarks from Los Angeles Supervisor Fifth District Kathryn Barger. The moderator of the event was Bill McReynolds, BIA LA/V Chapter President and Vice President of Land Acquisitions at Warmington Residential. Former Governor Gray Davis, the 37th Governor of California and Co-Chair of SCLC, was a highlighted speaker at the event on Wednesday. Christopher Thornberg, founder of Beacon Economics, provided insight into the 2022 building economic forecast and beyond.

The Land and Development Panel included:

• Greg Bielli, President and CEO, Tejon Ranch
• Mike Balsamo, Senior Vice President, Governmental Relations, Rancho Mission Viejo
• Randall Lewis, Senior EVP of Marketing, Lewis Group of Companies
• Nicole Murray, Division President, Shea Homes
• Greg McWilliams, Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint

The Land and Development Panel set the tone for the evening by expressing the need for predictability to exist in order for land purchasing and building to continue successfully. The regulatory agencies need to be stopped from promulgating more rules and hurdles to get over to get away from the massive economic transformation forcing gentrification. All hands on deck are needed in order to get neighborhoods and quality of life back on track.

"Our Economic Forecast & Housing Strategy Summit provides invaluable information for our members and elected officials to better engage on housing solutions," said BIASC CEO Jeff Montejano. "The growing large number of attendees for these leadership summit's are outstanding and a clear indication about the growing need for better regional housing policies."

About
The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) is the voice of the region's building industry, with four chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. Throughout its 99-year history, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting and promoting their common interests through its many programs, services, councils and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit https://biasc.org/.

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IMAGE CAPTION - Bill McReynolds (BIA LA/V Chapter President and Vice President of Land Acquisitions, Warmington Residential), Christopher Thornberg (Founder, Beacon Economics), Mike Balsamo (Senior Vice President, Governmental Relations, Rancho Mission Viejo), Randall Lewis (Senior EVP of Marketing, Lewis Group of Companies), Nicole Murray (Division President, Shea Homes), Greg Bielli (President and CEO, Tejon Ranch), and Greg McWilliams(Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint).

SOURCE Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.