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

IRVINE, Calif. - May 11, 2022 - 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 Californias 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 its 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."

Wilson declared the declining affordability can be reversed by removing regulatory and litigation roadblocks and by finding new financing vehicles to replace redevelopment agencies. "The solution to the housing crisis can be summarized in two words: more production. It wont be easy, but I sense that the tide is starting to turn, that the pendulum is starting to swing back in our direction," he said.

IMAGE DOWNLOAD 1 - http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_00182-scaled.jpeg IMAGE CAPTION 1 - Mike Roos (President, Southern California Leadership Council and Former California State Assembly Legislative Leader) speaks with Former California Governor Gray Davis (37th Governor).

IMAGE DOWNLOAD 2 - http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_00204-scaled.jpeg IMAGE CAPTION 2 - Former California Governor Gray Davis (37th Governor) and Mike Roos (President, Southern California Leadership Council and Former California State Assembly Legislative Leader).

IMAGE DOWNLOAD 3 - http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_00254-scaled.jpeg IMAGE CAPTION 3 - Christopher Thornberg (Founder, Beacon Economics)

IMAGE DOWNLOAD 4 - http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_00309-scaled.jpeg IMAGE CAPTION 4 - From L to R: 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 Holmes), Greg Bielli (President and CEO, Tejon Ranch), and Greg McWilliams(Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint).

IMAGE DOWNLOAD 5 - http://www.kcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_00315-scaled.jpeg IMAGE CAPTION 5 - From L to R: Bill McReynolds (BIA LA/V Chapter President and Vice President of Land Acquisitions, Warmington Residential), Mike Balsamo (Senior Vice President, Governmental Relations, Rancho Mission Viejo), Randall Lewis (Senior EVP of Marketing, Lewis Group of Companies), Christopher Thornberg (Founder, Beacon Economics), Nicole Murray (Division President, Shea Holmes), Greg Bielli (President and CEO, Tejon Ranch) and Greg McWilliams (Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint).

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.
"I was delighted to attend BIASCs Economic Forecast to discuss Californias building successes, deficits and predictions for the future," said Bill McReynolds. "Californias housing strategies are ever-changing and we have so many talented individuals behind the curtain who are contributing to the growth of this state. 2022 is when we need to pull back the curtain on overbearing regulations in order to set our path straight."

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 Holmes
- 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 summits are outstanding and a clear indication about the growing need for better regional housing policies."
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About Building Industry of Southern California
The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) is the voice of the regions 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/.
Media Contact:
BIASC
Karissa Willette DiStefano
kwillette@biasc.org
949-777-3859