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HBA staff recently spoke with KGW reporter Morgan Romero to provide context regarding the high cost of rebuilding homes ravaged by last summer’s forest fires. In addition to the high price of lumber due to logistics and production issues, labor and escalating costs of other building materials were all discussed as possible reasons for the high prices currently affecting families trying to rebuild on a limited budget. Josh Lehner, Oregon state economist who recently presented during the HBA Mid-Year Housing Market Update also provided an interview highlighting the underlying causes of increased material and labor costs. In addition to providing the public with information to understand the economic drivers of increased building costs, HBA continues to work with member companies looking for ways to help those devastated by the fires. In May, HBA-member Blue Mountain Community Management - an Associa® Company, presented a $10,000 check to Clackamas County Long Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG) to support wildfire survivor home rebuilding efforts in the county. As reported in this press release, Blue Mountain and its philanthropic arm, Associa Cares, worked with HBA to provide a relief grant to the CCLTRG in order to assist with recovery efforts for families living in 72 homes in Clackamas County that were affected by the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires. HBA supports the CCLTRG as a construction subcommittee member. To learn more about HBA involvement with the wildfire rebuilding efforts, or in Clackamas County generally, contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org.