The YouthBuild Program and HUD Section 3 Eva Blake, Green Initiative Director, YouthBuild USA

Purpose of YouthBuild To unleash the positive energy of unemployed, young adults to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, responsibility and family. Simultaneous impacts on: Unemployment Homelessness High school dropout rate Public safety and crime prevention Environmental awareness and protection

A Typical YouthBuild Program  young people  9-12 months long  5 components  years old 100% low-income 19% in public housing 94% need GED or diploma

5 Components EDUCATION literacy, numeracy GED preparation diploma-granting college readiness CONSTRUCTION supervised training employer expectations job readiness certifications green building COUNSELING peer counseling individual counseling case management referrals life planning GRADUATE RESOURCES career counseling job placement national leadership LEADERSHIP Decision making Group facilitation Public speaking Community service Civic engagement

YouthBuild Facts Since 1994, 100,000 young people have produced 20,000 units of increasingly green affordable housing. 273 programs served 10,000 students in Average Outcome Data (131 affiliates) - completed the program 78% - obtained GED/diploma 63% - placed in post-secondary or job 60% -average wage $9.20/ hour During 2010, 56% (951) were built with green building practices, 33% (563) were Energy Star Qualified, and 9% (157) achieved LEED certification.

Success Highlights of Graduates 76.2% are free of government supports and not receiving food stamps, welfare payments or unemployment benefits. 74.6% are currently working, going to school, and/or in job training. 85% have some involvement with the community. Source: “Life After YouthBuild” study of 882 graduates. Brandeis and Temple Universities. 2004

Comparison of Behaviors Before and After Completing YouthBuild

Section 3 of the HUD Act A provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement, and individual self-sufficiency..5 Types of economic opportunities available under Section 3: Job training Employment Contracts t in Who receives priority under Section 3? Persons in public and assisted housing Persons in the area where the HUD financial assistance is spent Participants of YouthBuild programs Homeless persons campaign3% Ran for off

Section 3 Opportunities at PHAs 2010 HUD’s Public Housing Capital Fund was given an additional $4B in ARRA, of which $600M for “energy efficient, green communities.” Job Training, Employment, and Contracting opportunities can all create Green Collar Jobs: Renovation with unit turnover for better indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency, sustainable materials, etc. Sustainable Landscaping and gardening Energy Retrofit Renewable Energy Installation Facilities Maintenance

YouthBuild and Public Housing Authorities HUD administered federally authorized Youthbuild program from 1992 through Many PHAs received grants to run local YouthBuild programs during that period and continue today under DOL. YouthBuild participants named in Section 3 as a priority group Green Initiative survey found 53 of the 79 YouthBuild respondents partnered with PHAs, 15 of them receiving funding. campaign3% Ran for off

Challenges Competition with local contractors who allege lack of adequate skills on the part of the prioritized people. Short-term focus on training, not enough focus on job placement and subcontracting. Opportunities are dependent upon continued HUD funding unless for-profit businesses owned by YouthBuild programs or grads established. for off

Benefits PHAs Gain section 3 compliance under an increase in HUD oversight and monitoring. Access potential employees that have been well trained in relevant soft and hard skills. Increased occupant health and comfort, public safety. Decreased carbon footprint and environmental impact. YouthBuilds Employment opportunities (Casa Verde YouthBuild, TX). Construction training sites (Just-A-Start YouthBuild, MA). Subcontracts in green remodeling, construction, and facilities maintenance (New York City Housing Authority).

Best Practices Many PHAs actively refer their residents to YouthBuild. Other PHAs have provided their units as training sites for YouthBuild. For example, in Cambridge, MA rehabbed units are used to train for green construction and a solar electric system installation this year. Others apply for federal YouthBuild grants to operate a program. Still others have contracted with the for-profit entities of YouthBuild programs for construction services. For example, agreements established between YouthBuild Rockford, IL and the Rockford and Winnebago County Housing Authorities.

Examples YouthBuild Louisville, KY In 2010, this program won a competitive bid from the Louisville Metro Housing Authority to perform weatherization services for 25 units and do homeowner education. Already had a track record of successful renovation projects for the housing authority and had begun training students in air sealing and insulation, green building.

Examples Portland YouthBuilders, OR The Housing Authority of Portland provides introductory construction training and up to three years of job placement assistance upon completion of training to residents. With the addition of green building instruction to the curriculum, this program was recently incorporated into a regional job training program (Clean Energy Works Portland) that includes the Portland YouthBuild.

Examples YCC YouthBuild Waukegan, IL The Waukegan Housing Authority (WHA) placed YouthBuild in their section three bids asking contractors to hire YouthBuild students and have completed two successful contracts to date. WHA hired two graduates with starting pay of $15.00 /hr. 25 staff, board members and YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps Members volunteered to serve the residents with a block party.

Examples YouthBuild AmeriCorps Gulf Coast, MS YouthBuild USA helped to establish a permanent YouthBuild AmeriCorps program in Gulfport, Mississippi in July Now, through it’s partnership with the Biloxi Housing Authority, the YouthBuild AmeriCorps Gulf Coast program aims to serve the Gulf coast community for the long-term.

Examples YouthBuild HAKC, MO Housing Authority of Kansas City is the sponsor of a YouthBuild program. Current construction Project 5307 will be the first LEED certified home in Kansas City, MO

In Conclusion Through training, hiring, and contracted partnerships, YouthBuild can help PHAs satisfy their Section 3 requirement and support a local green economy. Eva Blake, Green Initiative Director YouthBuild USA 58 Day Street, Somerville MA

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