HomeAid to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary at PCBC

SAN FRANCISCO - June 23, 2014 - PRLog -- HomeAid America, a building industry charity and one of the nation’s largest builders of housing for the homeless, will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary at the Pacific Coast Builder Conference in San Francisco this week, where it will be the featured charity of the three-day event.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as the featured charity of PCBC this year,” said Peter Simons, CEO of HomeAid America. “Our 25^th Anniversary is a very big deal for us and the building industry should be incredibly proud of what it has accomplished over this period through HomeAid’s efforts.  With the momentum the industry is now gaining during this economic recovery, we expect more great things in the future.”

HomeAid was founded in California by the Orange County Building Industry Association back in 1989 as a way for the building industry to give back to the community by addressing the issue of homelessness.  According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, last year alone over 3.5 million Americans experienced homelessness for at least one night.  The causes of homeless are many, including job loss, medical crisis, domestic abuse, alcohol or drug addiction, and post-traumatic stress syndrome in veterans.  It is estimated that 80% of the homeless are only transitionally in this situation, and can be given a path back to self-sufficiency with the right support, training, and counseling.

HomeAid operates by identifying charities in the community working to help the homeless that need additional facilities in which to house people and operate their programs.  HomeAid then finds builders who are willing to take on these projects and build them at a deep discount by enlisting their trade partners to give their time and materials as in-kind donations.

The HomeAid model proved hugely successful and quickly expanded from Southern California to chapters around the country.  Currently, HomeAid has chapters in 15 markets nationwide, typically affiliated with the local Building Industry Association.  These chapters of HomeAid have built nearly 400 housing projects over the organization’s 25 year history valued at over $200 million.  More importantly, these facilities have housed over 200,000 people who would otherwise have been homeless.

At PCBC this week, HomeAid’s milestone Anniversary will be recognized and celebrated at many of the official program events.  It will also be commemorated with a “Giving Wall” sponsored by Wells Fargo—one of HomeAid’s founding partners in 1989—at the entrance to the Show floor where participants can post notes of support and provide donations to the charity.  In support of this effort, Wells Fargo will donate up to $20,000 to the HomeAid program.  Representatives of HomeAid will be at the Giving Wallto answer questions and pass out materials (including red wrist bands for people who post their notes).

HomeAid’s 25^th Anniversary, and the concurrent 10^th Anniversary of Bank of America’s sponsorship of the organization will also be featured at Bank of America’s builder reception at the Show (tickets required).  Representatives of the Bank and HomeAid will give presentations on the milestones and discuss plans for the future.

ABOUT HOMEAID AMERICA

HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals, founded in Southern California in 1989 and celebrating its 25^th Anniversary in 2014.  Through the generosity of builders, their trades and their suppliers, HomeAid has completed nearly 400 housing projects nationwide at a value of more than $200 million, of which nearly 50 percent has been donated by the building industry. HomeAid currently has 25 additional projects in development across the country. HomeAid has added over 7,500 beds in facilities helping the homeless through HomeAid’s network of 15 active chapters in 10 states across the country. For more information about HomeAid, call 1-888-3HOMEAID or visit www.homeaid.org.