Accomodate growth, don't limit it

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Although Americans are concerned about the pace of growth and traffic congestion in their communities, they prefer accommodating growth by expanding and improving infrastructure such as roads and schools rather than limiting it through regulation, according to the 1999 Metropolitan Area Growth Issues Survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

"We are very encouraged by the results of this survey, which we conducted in high-growth metropolitan areas where we knew growth issues would be a con cern," said NAHB Vice President/Secretary Gary Garczynski, a home builder from Newington, Va. "Clearly, Americans recognize the need for new homes to accommodate the nation's rapidly growing population, and they prefer smart, practical approaches to dealing with growth."

The telephone survey of 500 registered voters in each of five major metropolitan areas also found strong support for broad-based funding of infrastructure to ease congestion and accommodate future growth. Further, it revealed that most people do not attribute traffic congestion to growth. Instead, they believe a combination of poor government planning and people driving more for personal reasons is to blame.

Builders throughout the country routinely include open spaces such as parks and recreation areas in the communities that they build, and the survey showed that most people strongly support the effort.

For a complete copy of the survey, contact the NAHB.