HomeAid Works to Strengthen and Expand Relationships to Build a Future without Homelessness

HomeAid has had a long and rich relationship with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) since its founding in 1989. NAHB is a trade association based in the United States that represents the interests of the home building industry. It is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the country, with a membership that includes builders, remodelers, developers, and other professionals involved in the housing industry.

NAHB's primary mission is to promote and protect the interests of its members, which include builders and related businesses, to ensure the continued growth and vitality of the home building industry. The association engages in advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels of government to shape housing policy and regulations that affect the industry. They work on issues related to housing affordability, building codes, land use regulations, tax policy, and more.

Often the local NAHB affiliated Homebuilders Association (HBA) or the Building Industry Associations (BIA) is an integral partner with the work of HomeAid in their community. They often work hand in hand to provide support for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The NAHB hosts various events and conferences throughout the year, including the International Builders Show (IBS) and other meetings and educational programs for its members and industry professionals. These events cover a wide range of topics related to home building, construction, and association management, among others.

The week of August 21st, myself and two of my HomeAid colleagues Monique Waddington, Director of Communications and Marisol Parand, Chief Development Officer, attended and sponsored the NAHB’s Association Management Conference (AMC) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The AMC conference was created so that executive officers of their local HBA or BIA can get together, learn new skills in their management of their association, share best practices and to be inspired in their important work with the association.

HomeAid’s purpose in attending and sponsoring AMC is to continue to offer support to the NAHB Executive Officers and their associations that are affiliated with HomeAid, and to expand and strengthen the awareness of HomeAid overall. The involvement of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and its local affiliates in HomeAid's mission can provide several significant benefits:

• Industry Expertise: NAHB and its member companies have extensive knowledge and expertise in the home building and construction industry. Their involvement can bring valuable construction and development expertise to HomeAid projects, ensuring that homes for the homeless are built or renovated to high-quality standards.

• Resources and Support: NAHB affiliates often include builders, remodelers, suppliers, and other industry professionals. These individuals and companies can contribute resources such as labor, materials, and financial support to HomeAid projects, helping to reduce construction costs and make the organization's mission more achievable. The average 41% of in-kind value on a HomeAid project is often a direct result of the relationship with the members of the local HBA or BIA with HomeAid.

• Networking Opportunities: NAHB provides a vast network of professionals in the housing industry. Partnering with NAHB and its local affiliates can open doors to valuable connections, potential donors, volunteers, and partnerships that can further HomeAid's mission.

• Advocacy and Awareness: NAHB is actively involved in advocating for housing-related policies at the federal, state, and local levels. By collaborating with NAHB, HomeAid can tap into their advocacy efforts to raise awareness about homelessness issues and advocate for policies that support affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

• Fundraising and Sponsorship: NAHB and its member companies often have the financial capacity to support charitable causes like HomeAid. They can serve as sponsors or donors for HomeAid projects and fundraising initiatives.

• Education and Training: NAHB provides educational and training resources for professionals in the housing industry. This expertise can be leveraged to educate HomeAid volunteers and staff, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and effectively.

• Community Engagement: Many NAHB affiliates are deeply rooted in their local communities. Partnering with them can help HomeAid engage with the local community, build relationships with civic leaders, and garner support from residents who want to address homelessness in their area.

For these reasons, HomeAid have been sponsors of NAHB’s AMC conference over the last 19 years. The local HBA or BIA is also an important part of the HomeAid expansion process. The support from a NAHB Executive Officer can be critical to the success of a new HomeAid affiliate. We hope they will find HomeAid’s mission and community outreach as a way to engage their members and to help those experiencing homelessness in their communities.

HomeAid is currently looking to expand and bring our impact to: Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; San Antonio, TX; Raleigh, NC; West Palm Beach (Miami), FL; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Puerto Rico; Indianapolis, IN; Athens, GA.

It was a great conference where we were able to connect with many executive officers both familiar and unfamiliar to us, and I was able to present about HomeAid’s mission at the Sponsor Giveaway Event, giving us additional exposure, so that we can build a future without homelessness.

In summary, the involvement of NAHB and its affiliates in HomeAid’s mission brings industry knowledge, resources, and support to HomeAid’s efforts to combat homelessness. It creates a powerful synergy between the construction industry and a charitable cause, helping to build a future without homelessness more effectively and efficiently.

We look forward to next participation with the NAHB at the International Builder’s Show (IBS), one of the largest and most prominent trade shows in the residential construction and home building industry in Las Vegas in early 2024.