HomeAid’s BuildAid Harvey recovery initiative gets grant

BuildAid, a HomeAid and GHBA rebuild initiative for pre-qualified homeowners whose homes flooded because of Hurricane Harvey, was presented a check for $5.5 million from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (HHRF). HHRF was established by Houston’s Mayor Turner and Harris County Judge Emmett and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. David Weekley and the David Weekley Family Foundation (DWFF), were the initial visionaries of this initiative with a donation of $1 million, just days after the storm passed.

BuildAid will also be partnering with several GHBA builder members who will provide construction management services to help repair the flood-damaged homes. These generous partners are David Weekley Homes, Partners in Building, Taylor Morrison, Chesmar Homes, Empire Communities and Trendmaker Homes. The entire team is led by Chris Yuko with DWFF.

BuildAid will use the $5.5 million to provide full home repair rebuilds to those homeowners who match the BuildAid requirements. A typical rebuild includes insulation/dry wall, tape/float/ texture/paint, cabinets, countertops, floors, doors/trim and bathroom repairs. Saint Bernard Parish (SBP), a thirdparty disaster preparation and recovery agency, facilitates the identification of homeowners that match the prequalification requirements.

“Clearly Hurricane Harvey affected nearly everyone who lives in the Houston area,” said Tom Frank, vice president of operations for Partners in Building. “When Partners learned about BuildAid through our affiliation with HomeAid Houston, we were honored to take part by donating our construction management to assist in the rebuilding process. It is rewarding to know that by partnering up with BuildAid, we can help others rebuild their lives.”

The initiative was also awarded financial support from Newmark Homes, Holcomb Properties, Land Tejas Development Company, the Perry Homes Foundation, the David Weekley Family Foundation, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and the Brad Williams Family.

For more information on BuildAid, visit buildaidhouston.org, call 409-768-0118 or visit homeaidhouston.org.

From left are Elena White, GHCF data and impact consultant; Bette Moser, executive director of HomeAid Houston; Renee Wizig-Barrios, GHCF SVP and chief philanthropy officer; David Weekley, chairman of David Weekley Homes; and Chris Yuko, director of...