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HBI Youth Training Programs Receive Congressional Recognition During Appropriations Process

Home Builders Institute, the workforce development arm of NAHB, received congressional recognition for its youth training efforts, as appropriations for those programs in FY 2005 continued to move through the process. The House on Sept. 9 passed H.R. 5006, the funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill, S. 2810, on Sept. 15.

With close ties to the housing industry and a continued record of success, Job Corps has fared well, receiving $1.54 billion from the House, just shy of the Administration’s request for $1.55 billion. The program received a slight boost in the Senate bill, however, which allocated $1.57 billion.

Congressional language submitted by House Subcommittee member Rep. Anne Northup (R-KY) recognized HBI’s role as a National Training Contractor (NTC) “in training Job Corps youth for careers in this high-growth industry. The Committee commends HBI on its 30 years of proven results in building our nation’s workforce by providing at-risk youth with the skills training and employment opportunities they need to succeed.”

HBI offers training in carpentry and facilities maintenance at the Whitney Young Job Corps Center, which is located in Northrup’s congressional district.

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The House eliminated funding for the Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offenders Program and the President’s proposed prisoner reentry initiative, but Senate appropriators provided $50 million and $40 million respectively for those programs. HBI’s Project CRAFT (Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training) program in Nashville, a national model in training court-involved youth for industry jobs, was renewed through 2005 by the Youthful Offenders initiative.

In language submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a member of the committee, Project CRAFT was recognized as “a modern intervention technique in the rehabilitation and reduced recidivism of adjudicated youth.” The committee language encouraged the Department of Labor “to replicate Project CRAFT to bring its outcomes-oriented approach to adjudicated juveniles throughout the country in order to help them become members of this industry's workforce and spur the Nation's economy.”

Project CRAFT has garnered strong community and industry support for its training at the Dallas County Village, which began last year.

Mike Mishler, vice president/secretary of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, spoke at this summer’s graduation ceremonies for the Texas program, accompanied by Bob Morris, the executive vice president, and HBI trustee Steve Nellis, of Centex Homes.

To read the legislation, click here and enter the bill number in the box at the upper left.

For information on HBI programs, e-mail Maria McIntyre, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8912. For information on the Labor appropriations package, e-mail Jenna Morgan at NAHB or call her at 800-368-5242 x8407.
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