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BuildAid, a HomeAid and Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) rebuild initiative for pre-qualified homeowners whose homes flooded because of Hurricane Harvey, is winding down operations in the first quarter of 2020. HomeAid reported that BuildAid officially restored 257 homes within Houston and outlying areas. The agency also announced that the average cost of restoration was approximately $31,077 per home. For the 114 homes that received furnishings, the cost for each home was estimated at $2,970. Rental assistance through BuildAid helped 110 families at an average of $3,442 per family.
BuildAid was launched in partnership with GHBA homebuilders who provided construction management. These builders were matched with pre-qualified homeowners and worked directly with them to walk them through the finish selection process that included flooring, cabinets, countertops and paint for their flooded homes.
BuildAid was initiated just days after the storm passed on August 17, 2017 by David Weekley and the David Weekley Family Foundation (DWFF) with a donation of $1 million. The following April, a check for $5.5 million was presented to BuildAid from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (HHRF) that was established by Houston’s Mayor Turner and then Harris County Judge Emmett, and was administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
BuildAid used the funds to provide full home repair rebuilds to those homeowners who matched the BuildAid requirements. A typical rebuild included insulation/dry wall, tape/float/texture/ paint, cabinets, countertops, floors, doors/trim and bathroom repairs. Saint Bernard Project (SBP), a third-party disaster preparation and recovery agency, facilitated the identification of homeowners that met the pre-qualification requirements. Those requirements included homes that did not have flood insurance and were valued from $125,000 to $300,000; household income of $40,000 to $125,000; homes built in or after 1978 or had a lead-free certification and no deferred maintenance issues; homes located outside of the 100-year flood plain unless funding source allowed repairs in that location; owner-occupied homes and only one home owned and a mold certificate had to have been obtained and the homeowner had to hold clear title to the property.
BuildAid’s GHBA builder partners included David Weekley Homes, Partners in Building, Taylor Morrison, Chesmar Homes, and Trendmaker Homes. The entire team was led by Chris Yuko with DWFF.
“Clearly Hurricane Harvey affected nearly everyone who lived 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 were able to help so many 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.
“HomeAid was honored to take part in such an ambitious, enterprising program after Harvey,” said Carole Brady, “executive director of HomeAid Houston. “The data reflects the commitment, fortitude and determination the BuildAid team displayed throughout those challenging months and years. We can’t thank the builders and the David Weekley Family Foundation enough for bringing HomeAid on board such a valuable effort during such difficult times.”
For more information on HomeAid Houston visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970.