California Homebuilding Foundation

Services

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: SCHOLARSHIPS

The Foundation has raised over $3.1 million in endowments for scholarships through the generosity of its’ benefactors, including many Hall of Fame Inductees. CHF works with over 60 colleges and universities in California that offer and provide degree programs promoting the homebuilding industry.

This year, CHF will distribute over $145,000 in scholarships and grants to five university-based programs and to over 45 college and university students enrolled in industry-related programs such as construction management or architecture. “The goal is to assist these students in completing their degrees and begin working within the building industry,” said Gail Grimm, CHF Executive Director.

Don Terner Distinguished Professorship

CHF also supports the I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professorship on Affordable Housing and Urban Policy at UC Berkeley. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and the College of Environmental Design have collaborated to create this professorship that is strengthening the teaching and research devoted to affordable housing. These funds enable the school to recruit and retain exceptional scholars and practitioners in the field of housing development. Funds have also been used to establish a new program that will foster research on housing markets, housing policy, international housing and the economy.

INVESTING IN THE PRESENT: RESEARCH

21ST CENTURY CAMPAIGN

As the demand for research grows, the leadership of the Foundation has refocused its’ efforts on the 21st Century Campaign. The goal of the campaign, a permanent $5 million endowment fund, will provide balance to the public-policy debate on housing issues by sponsoring independent, university-based research on issues critical to the development of new housing and communities in California.

The 21st Century Research Fund, (formerly known as the Century 2000 Campaign), has already helped underwrite such critical reports as The Economic Benefits of Housing in California (the “Fountain Report”) and Housing California’s Latino Population in the 21st Century: The Challenge Ahead, prepared by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute. These studies have proven invaluable and provided support for our industry to policy makers.

This spring, the Foundation will be releasing its’ first major research project in several years titled, The Housing Bottom Line: The Fiscal Impact of New Homebuilding on California State and Local Governments, prepared by Blue Sky Consulting.

Through the efforts of the Foundations’ Trustees this past year and with the generosity of our many donors and benefactors committed to helping the Foundation achieve our vision, we have raised more than $2.6 million for the 21st Century Research Fund, moving us ever closer to our $5 million goal.

“With the funds raised from this campaign, the homebuilding industry will be able to truly educate the public on the tremendous benefits of residential construction in California,” said Gail Grimm, CHF Executive Director.

In addition, CHF has distributed over $300,000 in grants over the last five years to fund local industry research. The areas researched include housing affordability, construction dispute resolution, smart growth, land use, and local growth policies.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE: EDUCATION

SERIES

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FOR CALIFORNIA HOMEBUILDERS - COURSES:
Green & Sustainable Construction
Building professionals across CA are recognizing the need to be environ-mentally responsible in their design, development & construction practices. The next building cycle is beginning & is ushering in new “green” & sustain-able building concepts. Buyers’ preferences reflect their lifestyle choices, sensitivity to low carbon footprint developments & the direction this market is heading. The following topics covered in this comprehensive 4 hour survey will be their introductory foundation for creating & implementing a business plan of success: Energy star, build it green, HERS testing, field compliance tools, packaging the paperwork, managing buyer’s expectations & integrating sustainable practices.

Quality Assurance in Construction
Construction operations for home building companies have changed dramatically over the past 10 year cycle, with the advent of defect litigation & the mounted Industry response. The next building cycle is beginning & will separate leaders in the industry from the followers. The growing complexity of product mix built at the same or higher densities will drive homebuilders to adopt more innovative risk management tools & practices typical of commercial developers & contractors. Manager’s and employees eager to grow to seasoned & professional construction managers need to learn about each of the following topics; THEORY: pre/ during /post construction, litigation risk by building type, traditional & wrap insurance, QA & QC by product type, review example projects. PRACTICE: Code compliance in practice, assembling your field team, selecting & managing peer reviewers, using e-communication tools, use of RFIS & ASIS for plan details, managing trade scopes of work, integrating quality & schedule, pick-up & re-work of trades & industry standards of care.

Risks and Rewards – Cal/OSHA Compliance – HR – SWPPPS
A $150,000 SWPPPS Violation Fine, a two million Sexual Harassment lawsuit settlement & a catastrophic loss of life as 3 men fall to their deaths when unsafe scaffolding coll-apses. The RISKS of non-compliance with Cal / OSHA Health and Safety regulations, CA Employment Law, & Storm Water Pollution Prevention Programs are numerous on the construction jobsite & a minefield of potential risk-related financial bombshells for the homebuilding industry. In these situations, the Manager / employee who can consistently deliver the REWARDS of risk mitigation & loss control becomes an exponentially beneficial asset to the company, as well as a necessity, especially in this difficult economy. Reap the rewards of Cal/OSHA regulation, CA Employment Law, & SWPPS compliance thus avoiding the financial pitfalls that ignorance can cause.

SEMINARS

SB800 Claims Workshop
This hands on; interactive course was designed as a result of the CHF-funded study on impact and application of SB800 legislation. The course will be the practical application of how to handle SB 800 claims from a builder & trade contractor perspective.

Mechanics Lien Seminar
Mechanics lien claims are controversial. On the one hand, mechanics liens and stop notices can provide security for payment of bills for work performed. On the other hand, these remedies provide significant risks to owners and developers of projects because title is encumbered. This seminar will provide those who work in construction, development, title insurance, or mortgage / banking, with the rules, procedures, forms, and strategies applicable to the prosecution and defense of mechanic’s lien, stop notice or bond claims. The seminar will highlight mechanics’ liens and stop notice claims contrasted with contract and bond claims. Enable perfection and enforcement of liens and stop notices. Explain release, discharge and bonding off of liens or stop notices. Highlight payment and performance bonds, as well as, learn to identify steps to perfect a mechanic’s lien claim, establish procedures to protect against improper lien claims and identify steps to perfect a bond claim.

DESIGNATIONS

Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS1)
CHF has teamed up with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) to offer the Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS1) Designation Program. Geared to meet the needs of homebuilders in search of field personnel with knowledge of all aspects of the homebuilding process, this eight course series tackles the day to day issues encountered by site superintendents. Completion of the eight courses earns the participants the nationally-recognized designation of Residential Construction Superintendent.

Advanced Residential Construction Superintendent (ARCS)
Partnering again with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), CBIF offers a second and advanced track of the RCS1 programming, the Advanced Residential Construction Superintendent (ARCS) Designation. Designed for individuals who have already received their original RCS1 Designation, ARCS delves into more specific topics in the rapidly expanding world of residential construction supervision. Each track will include 4 courses and two electives, with topics ranging from how to manage conflict on the jobsite to financial fundamentals. The ARCS series consists of three tracks of specialized courses: Professional Growth Track, Building Leaders Track and Technical Proficiency Track.