Welcome to our Quarterly Newsletter, the NRVHBA Builder Brief
The New River Valley Home Builders Association, Inc. (NRVHBA) is a professional trade association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). Our Association is governed by a board of directors and an executive committee representative of our region’s builder and associate membership. The mission of the NRVHBA is to serve the building community by advocating for the construction industry; educating, supporting, and promoting our members; and giving back to the New River Valley.
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The NRVHBA Excellence in Building Awards celebrates outstanding professionals and innovative projects in the industry. Click here to see the 2025 Award Winners!
60% of U.S. Households Can’t Afford $300K Home NAHB has updated its housing affordability graph for 2025, and the latest data show that 76.4 million households — 57% out of a total of 134.3 million — are unable to afford a $300,000 home. The graph is based on conventional underwriting standards that assume the cost of a mortgage, property taxes and property insurance should not exceed 28% of household income. For example, the minimum income required to purchase a $200,000 home with a mortgage rate of 6.5% is $61,487. At the base of the graph are 52.87 million U.S. house- holds with insufficient incomes (below $61,487) to be able to afford a $200,000 home. The NAHB, HBAV, and NRVHBA are addressing the housing affordability crisis by advocating for zoning reform, regulatory relief, and expanded tax incentives to increase housing supply. We work at national, state, and local levels to streamline development processes, support infrastructure funding, and promote policies that make it easier and more affordable to build new homes. Down Payment Assistance Tool Though much of the cost associated with purchasing a home is covered by the mortgage, your down payment and closing costs are due to the lender at closing before you move in. Finding funding for those expenses can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Click here to access!
The National Association of Home Builders announced that it has named New River Valley Home Builders Association as a Grand Award winner as part of the 2024 Annual Membership Awards. Of all HBAs in its size category, New River Valley Home Builders Association had the highest retention rate for 2024. "We are incredibly honored to receive the NAHB Grand Award for Outstanding Membership Efforts," said Kelsey Grow, Executive Officer of the New River Valley Home Builders Association. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our board, staff, and members who work tirelessly to create a strong, connected community of building professionals.” The NRVHBA invites all businesses connected to the home building industry to join its network. From builders and remodelers to suppliers, trades professionals, and service providers, membership offers valuable opportunities to grow your business, expand your network, and support the home building industry. NRVHBA members also gain access to benefits from the Home Builders Association of Virginia and the National Association of Home Builders. If your are interested in joining the NRVHBA, click here!
HBAV Education Foundation Awards Grants to Statewide Workforce Development Initiatives This spring, HBAV’s Education Foundation awarded $41,000 to local home building associations and industry organizations that partner with builders across the Commonwealth. “The projects the HBAV Education Foundation committee selected this year are initiatives that we believe not only make an impact on our industry, but offer a meaningful moment in kids’ lives,” says Justin Boyle, the HBAV Education Foundation committee chair and co-owner of Green Valley Builders. “With an industry wide critical skilled labor shortage, our members do all we can to support and grow careers in residential construction and show the value of technical and trade education. We are truly honored and proud to support these programs.” The Education Foundation will provide funds to support three programs from the NRVHBA, one being the second annual “Build Her Dreams Bed Build” with local nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, constructing beds for children in need. The September program is aimed at engaging girls in the community and giving them a chance to serve a non-profit while gaining insight into construction. Partnerships with the Girl Scouts, school groups, and local sports teams will increase participation of middle- and high-school aged girls. Click here to read more!
New River Valley Home Builders Association Wins NAHB Grand Award for Outstanding Membership Efforts
NRVHBA Leadership Staff Kelsey Grow, Executive Officer Grace Hopper, Marketing and Events Coordinator Board Ian Friend, President Philip Walker, Treasurer Tyler Price, Secretary Justin Boyle, Past President Stephanie Bell, Associate Director Jim Drader, Builder Director Jason Hardy, Associate Director Sean Beliveau, Builder Director Cat White, Builder Director Reid Broughton, Associate Director Jeff Nosenzo, Associate Director Gretchen Merix, Associate Director Cody Journell, Associate Director Jamie Spence, Builder Director Allison Szuba, Associate Director
NGBS Reaches Major Milestone The Home Innovation Research Labs closed out 2024 by certifying its 600,000th green home in the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) program. It was also the first year over 100,000 homes were certified in a year. NGBS provides home builders with a national standard to define and measure sustainable multifamily and single-family homes, developments and remodeling projects. The 600,000th certified home was a renovation of a single-family residence in Baton Rouge, La, completed by Consilium Holdings.
NRVHBA Programs
Microgrants The NRVHBA Microgrant Program provides funding for special projects and/or materials within elementary and secondary classrooms that aligns with the workforce development interests of the home building and construction industry. This program can provide the opportunity for teachers to enhance their curriculum, maximize opportunities for their students, and encourage interest in construction trades careers. Click here to learn more! Scholarships The NRVHBA Scholarship program aims to support the future growth of the construction industry by providing aid to deserving students enrolled in construction-related studies at Virginia’s Colleges, Trade Schools and within Working Internships. Scholarships are open November - March of each year! Current NRVHBA Scholarship Program Opportunities: NRHVBA Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 per recipient Capps Home Building Center Rob Prom Memorial Scholarship: $2,500 per recipient Click here to learn more!
The NRVHBA official magazine, the NRV Blueprint, is now available! Interested in the local home building industry? The NRVHBA has created the NRV Blueprint, your guide to building and remodeling in the New River Valley. You will get to read about the best award-winning building projects around the valley, get advice from experts, and industry best practices. You'll get a behind the scenes look at what makes the NRV home building community so unique and learn everything you need to make informed decisions. Click here to read it online!
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The CORE Construction Class provides foundational skills essential for entry-level positions in the construction industry. The curriculum is based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) standards and includes: Construction safety practices Construction math Introduction to hand and power tools Materials handling Reading and understanding construction drawings Employability and communication skills Core construction fundamentals Who Should Enroll? High school seniors and recent graduates interested in construction careers Adult learners and displaced workers seeking new opportunities Apprenticeship participants and those looking to upskill in the trades Residents of the New River Valley and surrounding counties Class Details Dates & Time: M-F June 16 - July 2, July 7-8, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day Location: Giles County Tech Center, 1827 Wenonah Ave, Pearisburg, VA Tuition: $1,900 (Funding options are available!)
The NRVHBA has partnered with Build Smart Institute to offer their CORE Fundamentals of Construction class this summer in the New River Valley —a hands-on, industry-recognized training program designed for individuals seeking to launch a career in construction. This collaboration is designed to bring quality training to the New River Valley and to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry
Save the date! Touch-A-Truck 2025 Saturday, August 16 | 10am - 3pm
The New River Valley Home Builders Association’s focus for Touch-A-Truck NRV is to allow children to become familiar with building industry careers by offering an educational opportunity to explore trucks, tractors, heavy machinery and to interact with the people who build, protect, and serve the NRV. Proceeds from this event support the New River Valley Home Builders Association and the NRVHBA Builders Care Fund which helps fund scholarships to local students to pursue education in construction and the Microgrant Program, which provides funding to area classrooms for projects related to construction industry skills.
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NRVHBA Members Dedicated to Construction Education NRVHBA Members visited Margaret Beeks Elementary School, where they partnered with young students to build wooden risers for their upcoming class play. This hands-on project was made possible through the NRVHBA Microgrant Program, which provided the funding for materials. It was a great opportunity to support the arts but also to introduce students to the basics of building and teamwork.
Parade of Playhouses The Parade of Playhouses is a new initiative at the 2025 NRV Home Expo, where two custom-built playhouses (Castle Yard by West Meadow Construction and Hobbit Hideaway by Wizards With Sticks) were auctioned to benefit the NRVHBA Microgrant Program. This program supports local schools by funding classroom projects that inspire interest in construction trades. Builders Steve Englund and Joshua Cook designed these creative playhouses with community impact in mind, turning fun into funding for future builders.
NRVHBA hosted a Women in Building Build Day with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley at their duplex project in Pearisburg, Virginia! This project is part of an initiative to construct 50 sustainable concrete homes in 50 states in five years set by Habitat for Humanity International and Build with Strength coalition. This home, once complete, will host two families! The NRVHBA's Women in Building Committee continues to empower women in the construction industry through hands-on events like today's Build Day. This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, learn new skills, and contribute to meaningful community development.