NAHB Leader Encourages Industry Members to Support Disaster Relief Fund
HBIDRF board member Bobby Rayburn shares how the fund was created and how the fund has helped communities in need.
Bobby Rayburn — home builder, owner of Rayburn and Associates, and former NAHB President — remembers seeing first-hand the aftermath a natural disaster can bring to a community. Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi nearly 20 years ago, wiping out entire neighborhoods, prompting Rayburn and his colleagues to create the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund (HBIDRF), a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.
Since 2005, the HBIDRF has disbursed over $2 million to assist areas across the U.S. affected by natural disasters, including recovery efforts from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.
“I’ve been proud to serve on the fund’s board over the last two decades,” said Rayburn. “I’ve seen an incredible amount of good work be completed across the nation.”
To help fulfill the fund’s mission, NAHB launched a matching campaign to support rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by natural disasters. NAHB will match dollar-for-dollar donations through March 1, 2025, up to $500,000.
All funds raised for the HBIDRF through this matching campaign will support the partnership of local charities and state and local home builders’ associations to address the rebuilding needs of devastated communities. Rayburn encourages industry members to donate to the fund to help rebuild communities.
“Together we can help communities begin to heal,” said Rayburn.
Latest from NAHBNow
Dec 12, 2025
Preventing Cold, Flu and COVID Illnesses on Jobsites Starts with a PlanIn the construction industry, working outdoors may appear to create less risk for catching a cold, flu, and COVID-19, but it’s crucial to understand that these illnesses can still spread while working in close proximity in any conditions.
Dec 11, 2025
FHA Announces Forward Mortgage Loan Limits for 2026The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced its 2026 Nationwide Forward Mortgage Loan Limits, which provides the maximum mortgage loan limits for single-family homes that are insured by the FHA.
Latest Economic News
Dec 11, 2025
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).
Dec 10, 2025
No Risk-Free Path: Fed Eases Monetary PolicyThe central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates a third and final time in 2025, reducing the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 3.5% to 3.75% range. This reduction will help reduce financing costs of builder and developer loans.
Dec 09, 2025
Construction Labor Market StableThe count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry was relatively unchanged in October, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.