North Carolina Builders Donate Home to Deserving Veteran

Membership
Published

Combat-wounded veteran, U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Matthew Polizzi and his family have a brand new, mortgage-free custom home thanks to the generosity of the Operation: Coming Home foundation based in North Carolina.

Operation: Coming Home, founded by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County, and the United States Veterans Corps, build and donate homes with the help of local home builders and subcontractors. Since 2008, the foundation has provided more than a dozen homes to combat-injured service men and women, and their families.

“The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County has always been incredibly proud in our role in Operation: Coming Home. The only thing that makes us prouder are the veterans we honor through this process,” said Dicky Gephart, board president, HBA of Raleigh-Wake County during the ceremony unveiling the home on July 16.

SSgt. Polizzi is the recipient of Hero Home #23. He served as a Marine for 14 years and was deployed four times. SSgt. Polizzi received the Purple Heart from an injury in Afghanistan.

“There was so much love that was poured into this project. My family and I really appreciate that,” said Polizzi. “Part of the quintessential American Dream is to own your own home and because of these efforts, that dream of ours has now become a reality.”

HBA of Raleigh-Wake County board member Rich Van Tassel provided the lot for the home and the home was built by member Mattamy Homes.

“We are honored to support Operation: Coming Home by helping to build a home for such a deserving American hero,” said Bob Wiggins, President of Mattamy’s Raleigh Division. “It is our hope that this home will provide a place for the Polizzi family to make cherished memories for years to come.”

The ceremony was featured on ABC News World News Tonight’s “America Strong” news segment. Operation: Coming Home plans to donate another home to a deserving veteran in the fall.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

Apr 29, 2026

Home Building Shows Signs of Stabilization with Monthly Gain in Starts

Overall housing starts increased 10.8% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.5 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Housing Affordability

Apr 28, 2026

NAHB Applauds HUD and USDA Action to Roll Back Costly Energy Mandate

NAHB Chairman Bill Owens issued the following statement after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement today to rescind the rule that would impose the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Apr 28, 2026

Homeownership Rate Edges Down to 65.3%

The latest homeownership rate declined to 65.3% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly decrease, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges.

Economics

Apr 23, 2026

The Silver Tsunami Isn’t Landing Where It’s Needed Most

The “silver tsunami” refers to the wave of housing inventory expected as older homeowners downsize or transition out of their homes. According to the latest American Community Survey, there are an estimated 61.2 million people in the U.S. aged 65 years or older, representing about 18% of the population.

Economics

Apr 22, 2026

State-Level Employment Situation: February 2026

February’s labor market data point to a notable pullback in employment, with job losses concentrated across a majority of states and only modest gains elsewhere. While January showed solid momentum, February’s decline reflects emerging softness in hiring conditions, alongside uneven performance across the country.