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HBI Awarded $1.5 Million National Youthbuild Grant

Youthbuild helps at-risk, unemployed and undereducated youth ages 16-24 work toward their GEDs or high school diplomas while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. The homes are then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low- income persons as well as homeless individuals and families. Since the program’s inception in 1993, more than 8,300 young adults have built or rehabilitated more than 4,900 affordable housing units across the country.

HBI will help enhance existing Youthbuild programs by increasing industry involvement and strengthening connections between program participants and potential employers. This is the first time HBI worked with HUD Youthbuild on a national level. Prior to the national grant, HBI has provided assistance to local Youthbuild programs.

“We are very pleased that HUD selected HBI to provide technical assistance to its Youthbuild efforts,” said HBI Board Chairman James A. Sattler, a builder in Cedar Rapids, IA.

“HBI and NAHB share 30 years of success working with youth enrolled in the Department of Labor’s Job Corps, and our own Project CRAFT continues to be touted as a national model in training at-risk youth,” Sattler said. “Through this grant, this valuable experience and knowledge can now benefit the young people looking for a second chance through Youthbuild.”

Cambridge, MA-based Abt Associates, Inc. is a partner in the effort and will work with HBI. Abt Associates applies scientific research and technical assistance expertise to a wide range of social, economic, and technological policy issues, international development and complex business problems.

For more information about HBI’s youth programs, e-mail Dennis Torbett or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908 or John Hattery, x8916.

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