America is still struggling through this Great Recession. An economic recovery, however, will not be possible if Congress does not focus on reviving housing.

The housing industry makes up nearly 15 percent of the country's gross domestic product and when it is healthy, it provides much needed jobs and revenue for America.

When homes are built and communities are created, people spend dollars in the local market far into the future -- including buying groceries and furniture, hiring housekeepers and landscapers, and spending money on local entertainment and in area restaurants.

Nationally, according to estimates from economists at the National Association of Home Builders, three full-time jobs are created for every new single-family home built. A healthy housing industry not only provides jobs, but brings revenue to the state and local economies.

In the first year, the impact of 100 newly-built single-family homes equates to $21.1 million in local income, $2.2 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments and 324 local jobs.

After the first year, the recurring benefits are $3.1 million in local income, $743,000 in taxes and other revenue for local governments and 53 local jobs.

The housing industry recently has seen a small boost in homes sales due to the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. The credit is for home buyers who have not owned a primary residence in three years, who meet certain income limits and purchase a home on or after Jan. 1, 2009, but before Dec. 1, 2009.

The credit is set to expire soon but to continue helping America recover from the recession, the housing industry still needs support.

Home builders across America are asking Congress to extend the $8,000 tax credit through Nov. 30, 2010, and expand it to include all home purchasers, not just first-time buyers.

If Congress extends the tax credit program, it would spur 383,000 more home sales, including 80,000 housing starts down the road as the increased sales help deplete the current inventory of unsold homes. This stimulus will create nearly 350,000 jobs during the coming year.

You can make your voice heard by letting your members of Congress know that housing equals jobs, and to restore America, we must revive housing.

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