Affordable housing & you

By Harry A. Merlo Chairman and President Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

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nomic recovery and a sharp uptum in the construction market. the truth is that none of us know what the next 12 months will bring.

So rather than an economic forecast, I'd like to use this forum to tell you about some of the things that are on our mind at Louisiana-Pacific as we plan for the coming year.

One of our big concems is the affordability of housing. At the same time as we work hard to develop products that maintain affordability, we're finding more and more government agencies imposing fees and regula- tions th?t drive housing costs up. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under Secretary Jack Kemp has recognized the problem and they've asked for help from all of us to get it under control. H.U.D. has published a fascinating study called "'Not in My Back Yard: Removing Barriers To Affordable Housing." The report concludes that a web of unfair fees. unnecessarv red tape and overzealous regulation has priced millions of Americans out of the housing market.

I hope you'll get a copy of the report (it's available for $3 by calling (800) 245-2691) and do your part to help break down the barriers it describes. You also can call the National Association of Homebuilders at (800) 368-5242 ext. 329 to find out whar specific steps you can take in your community to fight the problem. It certainly is in our interests as businessmen, but, more importantly, it affects us as parents and grandparents and as Americans.