Rebuilding communities, restoring hope: How builders are coming together to support hurricane relief across the Southeast

The impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is almost unthinkable. The total rebuilding cost in these three states is expected to exceed $50 billion, countless homes and businesses have been destroyed and nearly one hundred human lives were lost during Hurricane Helene alone.

As a construction community, we can play a crucial role by donating funds, volunteering our expertise and supplying essential building materials. Buildertrend donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with ongoing relief efforts – and we hope you’ll join us.

By working together, we can help restore homes, rebuild communities and offer hope to those affected by these devastating storms.

Here’s how local home builder associations are making a difference – and how builders can get involved.

Florida: Coordinated efforts for immediate and long-term recovery

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread destruction along the Gulf Coast and inland areas. In response, the Florida Home Builders Association quickly established a disaster relief fund through the Florida Home Builders Foundation. This fund is designed to provide assistance to the hardest-hit communities, focusing on both immediate needs like food and shelter, as well as long-term recovery efforts.

The FHBA encourages individuals, businesses and builders to contribute to the fund. The association is also collaborating with national organizations like the American Red Cross and Team Rubicon, which provide life-saving disaster response services such as emergency shelter, medical aid and clean-up efforts.

How builders can get involved in Florida

• Donate to the FHBA Disaster Relief Fund: Builders can support recovery efforts by contributing financially. Donations help fund essential supplies, building materials and support for displaced families.
• Volunteer for rebuilding projects: Builders with the necessary skills can volunteer their time to assist in home repair and rebuilding efforts. This hands-on work is critical in the aftermath of hurricanes, as many families need help to rebuild homes and return to normalcy.
• Partner with local nonprofits: Builders can collaborate with organizations like the Community Foundation of Sarasota County or Pinellas Community Foundation, which focus on long-term recovery projects such as mental health services, youth support and home repairs​.

North Carolina: Raising funds and mobilizing resources

North Carolina experienced severe flooding and infrastructure damage from both Helene and Milton. In response, the North Carolina Home Builders Association has been proactive in supporting relief efforts. The NCHBA established a Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, aiming to raise $200,000 for rebuilding efforts. The association itself donated $100,000 to kickstart the fund, with Builders Mutual Insurance contributing an additional $25,000​.

Beyond financial support, the NCHBA is coordinating with local builders and volunteers to assist in on-the-ground recovery efforts. Builders across the state are being asked to contribute by helping with cleanup and repair projects and providing building materials to those in need.

The NCHBA is also working alongside local nonprofits, such as BeLoved Asheville and the Foothills Food Hub, to distribute critical supplies like food, bottled water, hygiene products and baby supplies. These organizations are providing immediate relief to residents displaced by flooding and power outages​.

How builders can get involved in North Carolina

• Contribute to the NCHBA Disaster Relief Fund: Builders can make financial contributions to help meet the $200,000 goal, with all funds going directly toward disaster relief and rebuilding homes.
• Volunteer for cleanup and rebuilding: Builders with expertise in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing or general contracting can volunteer their services to repair homes and restore critical infrastructure in affected areas.
• Provide building materials: Donations of materials like lumber, roofing, insulation and windows are essential in recovery efforts. Builders can collaborate with suppliers to source these materials and donate them to communities in need.

Georgia: Local relief efforts and community support

Georgia, like Florida and North Carolina, faced the wrath of both hurricanes, with Helene’s strong winds and Milton’s flooding causing significant damage across the state. The Home Builders Association of Georgia has been actively participating in relief efforts, primarily through its local affiliates. For example, the Home Builders of Greater Augusta Region has partnered with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area to create the Builders Community Fund, which is dedicated to hurricane recovery​.

This fund is helping to purchase essential supplies, such as food and water for displaced residents. Local builder associations are also collecting donations for supplies and equipment to support ongoing recovery efforts. In areas like Augusta and Savannah, builders are working with community organizations to distribute supplies and help residents rebuild their homes.

How builders can get involved in Georgia

• Support the Builders Community Fund: Builders can donate to this fund, which is being used to purchase critical supplies for hurricane victims.
• Volunteer for local rebuilding efforts: Builders can sign up to volunteer their time and expertise in areas like Augusta and Savannah, where many homes have been destroyed or damaged.
• Donate supplies: Builders with access to construction materials can donate items such as generators, tools and lumber to help rebuild homes. Partnering with local nonprofits or builder associations makes it easier to get these materials into the hands of those who need them.

How national organizations are supporting local builders

In addition to the efforts at the state level, national organizations like the National Association of Home Builders are providing support through partnerships with state builder associations. The NAHB has encouraged builders across the country to donate to disaster relief funds and participate in recovery efforts. The association also provides resources on disaster response and rebuilding through its website.