Buildertrend welcomes family to new home built by employees

Buildertrend leaders presented an Omaha family with the keys to their new home on Aug. 19, as Habitat for Humanity of Omaha dedicated the home built this summer by employees of the local tech company.

From May to August, 361 Buildertrend employees contributed 2,527 hours to help Habitat Omaha crews construct a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home in north Omaha. This home was Buildertrend’s first whole-house sponsorship with Habitat Omaha and a key pillar of the company’s 2022 corporate and social responsibility initiatives.

At the dedication ceremony, first-time homeowners Dei Toe and Hso Klo shared their gratitude to the volunteers, Habitat Omaha crews and leaders from both organizations who helped make their dreams of owning a home a reality.

Toe and Klo moved their family constantly in the past few years and often lived in small homes with relatives. In 2021, they joined Habitat’s homeownership program and completed more than 275 hours of sweat equity to become one of 66 families buying homes built or renovated by Habitat Omaha this year, said Habitat Omaha CEO Amanda Brewer.

“We want to thank Buildertrend and Habitat, and all the people who were involved in our home,” Klo said. “Don’t stop: Continue to build homes and bless other people too.”

Buildertrend CEO and co-founder Dan Houghton described building a quality, affordable home for this family as a humbling experience.

Accessible housing can create positive change for whole communities, and this project seamlessly aligned with Buildertrend’s mission to support housing and basic needs, as well as have an impact locally, said Houghton, who also serves on the Habitat Omaha’s Board of Directors.

“Home provides so much security for family — it’s not just a roof over your head,” he said at the event. “It changes the entire trajectory of your life when you own a home. This family and their children will now have a stable, safe place to live in our community for years to come.”

Habitat Omaha will help 300 families to become mortgage-ready and purchase a home on the open market this year, not only helping them to realize the American dream of homeownership but also providing them more certainty in their lives, Brewer said.

Housing stability through homeownership protects families from rising rent costs and constant moves when rental properties change ownership on short notice in an active housing market, she said.

“Today is a celebration of all the good things that can happen when people come together,” Brewer said after the dedication. “Now this family can focus less on where they’re going to live and more on each other.”

Houghton and Brewer praised the day’s event as the latest example of a strong partnership that started in 2014 when Habitat Omaha began using Buildertrend’s industry-leading construction project management software.

Since then, Buildertrend has also been an annual supporter of Habitat Omaha through financial contributions, in-kind software subscriptions and volunteer support from employees. The company was named Habitat Omaha’s corporate sponsor of the year in 2018.

Earlier this year, the Omaha company known for its charitable giving and employee volunteerism committed to significantly increasing its involvement with Habitat Omaha.

By sponsoring a whole house for Habitat Omaha in 2022, Buildertrend’s financial and volunteer pledges supported Habitat Omaha’s goal of providing quality and affordable housing to residents in the community.

The initiative also played a major part in growing Buildertrend’s corporate volunteerism program, which offers each employee 16 hours of paid time off to serve in the community.

“We had people on waiting lists to get out here and volunteer at this home build, and that shows the type of people who work at our organization,” Houghton said. “I’m extremely proud of the Buildertrend team for coming out, volunteering and making this a beautiful home.”

In addition to the company’s home build, an additional 40 employees volunteered nearly 300 hours on other Habitat for Humanity of Omaha homes in 2022.

Buildertrend is more than halfway to completing its goal of volunteering nearly 14,000 hours in 2022.

About Buildertrend

Buildertrend is the leading cloud-based project management software used by home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors. The company’s award-winning culture is one that’s focused on collaboration, putting customers first and a healthy work-life balance. Buildertrend’s team works together to create, sell and service a software solution that provides a better way for construction professionals to operate their businesses. As a workforce, Buildertrend’s software also provides its team with a means to live better lives and be better humans. To learn more, visit buildertrend.com and @buildertrendlife.

About Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha builds and renovates homes, repairs existing houses, takes down blighted structures and advocates for better laws and systems. We also work with individuals and families to help them acquire the access, skills and financial education necessary to become successful homeowners. In 2021, Habitat Omaha homeowners contributed almost $900,000 to Douglas County in property taxes. This year Habitat Omaha will help 300 families become mortgage-ready and purchase a Habitat home or a house on the open market. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitatomaha.org.