|
California HBAs Help Fire-Damaged Communities
The home builders associations in Southern California have already begun providing aid and services to the victims of the wildfires that swept the region, displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, caused more than $1 billion in property damage and destroyed more than 1,600 homes last month.
Within days of the fires, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County posted a list of rebuilding services and related information available from its membership on its Web site at www.biasandiego.org.
“We offered to coordinate these services on behalf of community resource groups that have been inundated with contractor inquiries and needed to focus on the immediate recovery tasks prior to rebuilding concerns,” said the association’s CEO, Paul Tryon.
The companies on the list have indicated their desire to help and are geared towards the type of construction and services needed at this time, he said.
“The response has been huge, nearly 80 companies registered on the site in one day,” said Donna Morafcik, the HBA’s staff vice president of communications. “We fully expect hundreds more to register over the next few weeks.”
On the site, the association also provides a step-by-step “Rebuilding Guide,” advice on avoiding scam contractors, relevant California laws on rebuilding after disasters and a statement from the California Building Industry Association on the wildfires.
Donations are being accepted through the association’s Web site to its Builders Helping Neighbors Fund, which was established following wildfires in 2003. Proceeds raised will be donated to the community resource centers in the affected communities.
Members Donate Time, Services
Members of the Building Industry Association of Orange County have already contributed building plan approvals, residential architectural and electrical help, and entitlement consulting after the BIA issued a critical “call to action” to its members, asking them to assist families in rebuilding their homes with donations of time, services or products.
The association also posted a message to fire victims along with links to government and non-profit organizations that are helping fire victims on its Web site.
NAHB Disaster Relief Fund
NAHB is working with associations in the affected areas with disaster recovery and public relations assistance.
To make a donation to NAHB’s Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund, which directs contributions made to the fund to recognized charities that are helping with shelter, healthcare and education, click here.
For more information on the NAHB fund, e-mail Jessica Lynch at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8401.
|
