Civic & Community Involvement

Philanthropy
The Acadian Home Builders Association, a nonprofit 501(C)(6) trade association, is dedicated to the Acadiana community. In keeping with the AHBA official mission statement, the membership utilizes some of it's major events to support Lafayette agencies which strive to provide shelter to those less fortunate and experiencing troubled times. AHBA's adopted charities include Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, Faith House, Acadiana Youth Inc., and St. Michael Center for Veterans. Every year, AHBA partners with KATC-TV 3 to hold the Home for the Holidays project which over the years has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to these organizations.

Scholarships
AHBA also has a commitment to education. They exhibit this commitment by supporting those institutions that strive to produce a skilled workforce for the residential construction industry. AHBA awards scholarships each year to deserving students in the University of Lafayette I-TECH Department's construction program and also gives money to the W.D. Smith Career Center's construction program for high school students.

UL Construction Technology Endowed Chair
AHBA used many of it's annual events as well as pledges from the membership to raise $60,000.00 to be matched with $40,000.00 from the State of Louisiana to sponsor an endowed chair at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL). The five-year goal was achieved in only four, thanks to the enthusiastic support of the membership. The dream was realized in 1999 when a full-time Construction Technology Professor was hired to expand the industrial technology program at UL. AHBA now works closely with that department to develop program curriculum which will ultimately prepare the students for this increasingly complex industry.