HomeAid Houston
Giving Hope to Houston's Homeless
by Terry Swenson
HomeAid Houston-a charity established by the Greater Houston Builders Association in 2003-has responded to the fact that there are approximately 10,000 to 12,000 homeless men, women and children on any given night in the Houston area. Since its inception, HomeAid Houston has provided 336 beds for Houston area homeless.
The organization identifies long-term, stable homeless care providers who need additional capacity and pairs them with GHBA builders, vendors and suppliers who donate their time,materials and labor to help build transitional homeless shelters. HomeAid Houston's generous building and construction donors are too numerous to mention. With their help, several projects are in the works for 2009.
Gracewood
Gracewood is a nonprofit residential program for mothers and their children fleeing homelessness and other crisis situations that threaten the safety and stability of the family. HomeAid is partnering with builder captain Builders Strong to remodel an existing structure. When completed, the home will house four homeless women and their children. This will be HomeAid Houston's first green project. Site preparation including demolition work began in February.
The second Gracewood project is a new 6,800 square foot home that will house five homeless women and their children. This facility will also include meeting facilities, counseling offices and a playroom. HomeAid is partnering with MHI (McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc), the project's builder captain. Construction began in November 2008.
Families come to Gracewood fromall walks of life, but all have one thing in common: They are headed by single mothers who love their children and are ready to do whatever it takes to make a better life for their families. In 2007, Gracewood received over 50 calls for every opening that became available.
House of Tiny Treasures
HomeAid Houston is working with House of Tiny Treasures, a day care center for homeless children affiliated with the private, nonprofit organization SEARCH Homeless Services. SEARCH provides comprehensive services to help people experiencing homelessness get off the streets, into jobs and into affordable housing. HomeAid Houston- along with remodeler captain Mike Wilburn-will be raising the foundation of one of the homes that comprise House of Tiny Treasures. In addition, donations of labor and material will be obtained to repair any damage to walls, windows and plumbing, and new ramps and porches will be built.
Krause Children's Center
HomeAidHouston is also partnering withNewland Communities in 2009 to repairHurricane Ike-related damage to the Krause Children's Center in west Houston. This campus is designed to house, treat and educate severely neglected children ranging in age from 12 to 18. In addition, HomeAid Houston will work with Builder Captain Randy Bayer to renovate the lobby of themain building of the campus.The goal is tomake the social spaces warm, cheerful and provide an uplifting environment.
Women's U.S. Vet Project
HomeAid recently announced another new project slated to begin this year. HomeAid's board of directors approved a 30-unit permanent supportive housing project for United States Veterans Initiative (US VETS) to benefit homeless female Veterans and their children. Steve Hefner and Bobby Rivers of Camden Builders will be the builder captains for this exciting construction project. The goal and mission of the US VETS-Houston Women's ADVANCE Program is to successfully integrate as many homeless women veterans as possible to their highest level of independence as rapidly as possible. This is made possible through various programs including support groups, services and education.
Woman, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation structured as a community housing development organization with the express purpose of developing affordable housing opportunities for women. The organization helped bring the project toHomeAidHouston. The 30-unit permanent housing structure will provide 120 beds.
For the past six years, HomeAid Houston has been working diligently to identify care providers who need additional accommodations and connect them with GHBA members who help by donating their labor and materials-and 2009 promises to be another productive year.
Terry Swenson is a Consultant for HomeAid Houston.
