Large Homebuilders Handed Millions in Tax Breaks

Large homebuilders, including Pulte Homes and Hovnanian Enterprises, will recieve hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars under the recently passed Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

1 minute read

November 18, 2009, 9:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


Gretchen Morgenson writes in the New York Times:

"One can make an argument that throwing money at the banking system is necessary if we are to jump-start the economy. And banks need a bigger capital cushion to protect against future losses.

But dropping helicopter money on the home builders - the folks who massively overbuilt in community after community - seems decidedly less urgent (unless you are one of these companies, of course). Given that the supply of housing far outstrips demand, it is unlikely that these companies will use these tax breaks to hire workers (unless they go into a completely new line of business)."

Thanks to Heather Rose

Saturday, November 14, 2009 in The New York Times

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Red City of Terre Haute small transit bus in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Terre Haute Transit Goes Fare-Free

Buses in the Indiana city will be free as of January 2.

45 minutes ago - Indiana Public Media

Red Capital Bikeshare bikes at a station in Bethesda, Maryland.

DC Bike Share Growing Fast, But Regional Gaps Remain

The wildly popular system ‘frays at its geographic edges,’ making its use less effective outside the central District.

1 hour ago - Greater Greater Washington

Vacant pedestrian overpass and skyscrapers in downtown financial district at night.

Office Conversion Sees No Sign of Slowing

The adaptive reuse of office buildings for residential and other uses will grow by as much as 63 percent in 2024 over last year.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.