Written By: Mat Dougherty, President
While affordable housing is a large segment of our business, the projects themselves are typically not the largest that we build. However, our employee engagement on affordable housing projects is extremely high. Employees often find personal satisfaction knowing that their project will provide a home for a community member who otherwise may not be able to afford one. This employee engagement and community give-back really helps define the culture of our company.
In 2019, we completed a residential building for New Moms, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and support services for young moms and their children who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. While this building consisted of only 18 units and took less than a year to complete, our involvement with this organization did not end when construction was completed. In the years since, our employees have volunteered with and donated to the organization, and we have employees on New Moms’ Associate Board and Board of Directors.
Another great advantage of affordable housing projects is the opportunity to work with developers, communities, and multiple funding sources for a community good: housing individuals who need an affordable place to live.
Additionally, we look forward to partnering with minority-owned businesses, women-owned business, and community members on these projects. Involving community members in the construction of our projects not only provides them with employment, but also exposes them to a new and exciting career path.
It can easily be argued that though affordable housing developments aren’t the largest projects we build, they are some of the most impactful projects for our company. We are grateful for the opportunity to use our expertise in a way that gives back to the communities around us.