Federal Build America, Buy America Legislation Impacts Purchase of All Housing Design Products - Catch Up from MAHC's BABA Event - Stay Tuned for a Follow Up
MAHC held a special member meeting on the new Build America, Buy America (BABA) legislation and its impact on affordable housing development on 8/29 at MaineHousing. BABA states that the U.S. Government should use Federal financial assistance awards to maximize the use of goods, products, and materials produced in the U.S.. Including iron, steel, and manufactured goods. Each Federal agency has slightly different rules for implementation and we are awaiting specific guidance from HUD and MaineHousing, but there was a lot to share and learn.
We had great in person and online attendance. Thank you to TRC, Consigli and Evernorth for sharing their experience working on federally funded projects that require BABA compliance.
MaineHousing shared that all development programs (and some others) will be impacted by BABA and require compliance.
HUD training to understand how to implement on our project to optimize flexibilities with general waivers, and requesting project-specific waivers https://www.hudexchange.info/trainings/courses/beyond-the-basics-implementing-the-bap1/. Attendees noted that OMB is the final waiver determination office. Waivers have a 30 day determination phase and then a 45 day opportunity for a U.S. manufacturer to offer a BABA compliant product.
