The GHBA Benefit Homes Project raises critical funds for HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home through the sale of a home built by First America Homes in Signorelli’s Bluestem community.
The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) is excited to announce the sale of the new home built by First America Homes, a division of The Signorelli Company, to raise funds for the annual GHBA Benefit Homes Project. The sale generated a $278,562 donation for charities supporting local veterans and other at-risk neighbors. The home is in Bluestem, a master-planned community in Brookshire, Texas developed by Signorelli Company, which also donated the homesite lot.
“First America Homes is known for the extra measures we take to produce a quality product and the pride we take in our work,” said Dave Barnhart, First America Homes president. “We extend a big thank you to our many vendors and suppliers who supported us in this effort. Building a great home for someone and supporting our community made the project especially rewarding for our team. We hope the owners enjoy their new home and make many special memories there.”
Annually, GHBA members work together to build homes sold at market value for a profit that is donated to the Benefit Homes Project. GHBA-member developers, builders and vendor partners donate land, labor, services and materials to build two homes per year from start to finish. Once the homes are sold, the proceeds go to Operation Finally Home, an organization providing housing and housing solutions to wounded military veterans and first responders, and to HomeAid Houston, which provides resources for transitional shelter providers that serve people at risk of homelessness. A portion of proceeds is also placed in the GHBA’s Charitable Foundation.
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Now in its 45th year, the GHBA Benefit Homes Project has raised over $14 million for local charities. Led by First America Homes and The Signorelli Company, an array of 40 generous vendors and partners donated labor, supplies, products and materials to build the home, even before groundbreaking. These in-kind donations significantly increase the final proceeds donated to the Benefit Homes Project.
First America Homes chose to build the Mansfield (Elevation C) layout from its Heritage Collection, which features five bedrooms, two and a half baths, in 2,416 square feet of space. Due to the generosity of First America Homes’ trade partners, this home includes a luxury primary bath with a separate garden tub and a walk-in shower, an expansive 10 x 20-square-foot covered patio equipped with a custom outdoor kitchen, modern iron railing, a built-in wine rack, and a metal roof accent on the front porch, among other features.
“It is an honor to partner with GHBA on such a high-impact charitable project,” said Danny Signorelli, CEO and founder of The Signorelli Company. “Giving back to our community is an important part of our culture and I’m proud and grateful to our team and to our many trade partners for their excellent work and support.”
Bluestem, a 365-acre master-planned community just 20 minutes northwest of Katy, opened for home sales last spring. Located in Waller County, it is zoned to the rapidly growing Royal Independent School District. Featuring miles of scenic walking trails, community amenities currently in development at Bluestem include a playground area, pickleball court, multi-purpose court, artificial turf activity lawn, covered pavilion and parking area. Bluestem’s plaza, complete with a grove of shade trees and nesting picnic tables, offers residents a place to relax and to gather with neighbors. Home prices range from $229,990 to $400,000, with sizes from 1,364 to 2,946 square feet.
“This is a tremendous example of the way that our local builders and developers reinvest in the heart of our community,” said Aimee Bertrand, executive vice president and CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association. “The teams at Signorelli and First America Homes aren’t just developing land and building homes, they are truly building our community’s support for those who need it most via the Benefit Homes program and this incredible donation.”
HomeAid Houston, a 501(c)(3) charity, is the local chapter of HomeAid America – the nation’s largest provider of transitional shelters for the homeless. Established by GHBA leadership in 2003, HomeAid Houston acts as a bridge between homeless care providers in need of new or remodeled facilities and the GHBA’s home builders, remodelers and vendor suppliers. Operation Finally Home, a 501(c)(3) organization, addresses the most pressing need of our returning heroes and their families – a home of their own. Established in 2005, Operation Finally Home builds custom, mortgage-free homes, transitional housing and home modifications to veterans, first responders and their families. The GHBA Charitable Foundation leads programs to foster education and career advancement in the residential home building industry, offering scholarships and financial support in training for young people and underrepresented groups as skilled workers and business owners.