Print This Article			Print All Articles			Email the Editor

Nine Home Builders Associations Receive Matching Funds From Housing Endowment

Open to organizations within the NAHB federation, the Challenge/Build/Grow program offers up to $5,000 in matching funds for projects targeting issues of importance to the housing industry. Since the program was launched in 2001, more than $45,000 has been awarded to HBAs to support local initiatives ranging from job training and image building efforts to educational and scholarship programs.

“Through the Challenge/Build/Grow initiative, the National Housing Endowment encourages the building industry to develop new partnerships and opportunities at the state and local level,” said Dale Stuard, chairman of the National Housing Endowment and 1988 NAHB president. “We are confident that each of the programs selected to receive matching funds will successfully address some of the major challenges facing our industry today, such as land use issues and workforce development.”

Following are the recipients of the Challenge/Build/Grow awards:

• Builders Association of Eastern Connecticut: Construction Career Path Enhancement ($2,000). Building on the association's existing workforce development initiative, this program will focus on removing barriers that prevent students from pursuing a career in the trades or relevant post-secondary education.
• Home Builders Association of Ft. Wayne, IN: Anthis Construction Education Project ($1,000). This program is designed to provide the local construction community with quality entry-level employees. Modeled after a similar school-to-work program in the automotive manufacturing sector, it provides students with skill training and internship opportunities at the high school level.
• Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky: Spanish Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Carpentry ($5,000). A joint venture between the local home builders association and the Catholic Social Service of Northern Kentucky, the apprenticeships address the needs of the local Hispanic community, including language skills, construction safety issues, general workplace policies, business concepts and basic carpentry.
• Home Builders Association of Lincoln, NE: NAHB Student Chapters/YouthBuild Partnership ($2,500). In conjunction with two local NAHB student chapters, the home builders association is developing a program to provide instruction for its certification program. With HBA member-volunteers and student chapter participants acting as mentors, YouthBuild students build skills to become professionals and establish rewarding and successful careers in the building industry.
• Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead, ND: Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades ($2,000). The academy introduces students to a variety of specialty occupations within the construction industry through an intensive two-week classroom and on-the-job educational program. Students who successfully complete the academy are offered a paid position with one of the member company sponsors.
• Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, OR: Living Smart: Big Ideas for Small Lots ($2,500.) A national competition for the design of detached housing on extremely narrow lots, the project represents a partnership between the City of Portland, the HBA of Metropolitan Portland, the Portland chapter of the American Institute of Architects and other community interest groups. It was created to address the need for well-designed house plans suited to development in urban areas.
• Home Builders/Remodelors Association of Mahoning Valley, OH: Youth Employability Solutions, Inc. ($1,000). In partnership with the home builders association, this initiative offers three industry-related programs for high school seniors in the local area. The programs provide academic support, skill development and career counseling for students interested in pursuing home building as a career.
• Greater San Antonio Builders Association: Operation Partnership ($3,000). Designed to build the NAHB student chapter at the University of Texas–San Antonio, Operation Partnership offers students hands-on experience in planning, building, marketing and selling houses constructed for the annual Parade of Homes.
• Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, WA: Resident Construction Internships Initiative and New Workforce Employment Initiative ($1,000). These educational programs are aimed at helping students develop the necessary skills to pursue a career in the building industry.

For further information about the National Housing Endowment, e-mail Julie Wheeler or call her at 800-368-5242 x8483.

go to top