Home Builders Survey Finds Brlghter Outlook for 1958 on Gonstruction Horizon

Washington-The NAHB Journal of Homebuilding, published by the National Association of lfome Builders for its more than 40,000 home builders, suppliers, contractors, and other services and trades allied with the industry, has changed from the pocketsize book of its birth 10 yeais ago to nlw standard size.

In inaugurating its new format, the January Journal takes stock of the state of the home building industry now and presents an analysis of the Zo-year period from 1955 to L975 in .special articles prepared by the stafi in consultation with NAHB's economists and other land, money, and construction experts.

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"Few industries," the Journal reported, "show promise of a brighter future than home building. The nation's basic shelter needs in the next two decades will be more than double the total of all residential housing built in the past two decades."

At the currently projected rate of population growth, the Journal said, "the almost irreducible shelter need of the nation is thus 29 million new units in the two decades ending in 1975. This mea'ns an annual average building program-of some 1,450,000 units over the next two decades, tralf again as many as were built last year."

The article also concluded that at the rate of the nation's economic growth, "There is every reason to believe that, from the income side alone, the housing units needed to meet basic shelter requirements can be supported.

"These figures on the housing market," the Journal added, "represent only the basic heed of the next two decades. They make no allowance for any substantial improvement in the nation's housing, the trend toward two-house families (seasonal homes), nor for the need of more living space among families with small children. Nor do they take into consideration the potential offered through the support and intensificaion of consumer interest in better housing."

' It said the greatest test of the future will be liand, adding that the "heart of the problem is not lack of land but its proper utilization."

It said that it may \ecome desirable to turn to by-passed land-land spurned in the furious rush to the suburbs. It added it seems likely that builders, "viewing the density of population, will be forced in the next decade or two to place greater efiphasis u-pon multi-family units, row houses and'duplexes than they have since World War II. This thought is being advanced by some far-sighted builders and land planners."

In another article, "Today's Research-Tomorrow's Dividend," the Jourrnl pointed oirt that "research may be the only key to progress in home building-an industry that is overregulated, tradition-steeped, and lacking in a fundamental science." Little housing research is being undertaken now that is aimed directly at the fundamental problem-how to build better houses at lower cost, it said.

Socromento Hoo-Hoo Club Plons Big Annuol Dinner-Dqnce

Sacramento Hoo-Hoo Club 109, headed by WendlingNathan's Bill Fraser, is anticipating a record turnout for its annual dinner-dance affair to be held Februarv 15 at the Newman Hall in Sacramento. Starting time is scireduled for 7:00 p.m., with dinner at 8:30 p.m. and dancing (to the solid Capitol City Jazz Band) from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Committee chairmen on the big project include Bill Haskin, hall; Ed Kensinger, music; Mickey Smolich, food; M. J. Cecchettini, finance and table reservations, and C. D. LeMaster, refreshments.