NAHB Leader Encourages Industry Members to Support Disaster Relief Fund

Disaster Response
Published

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. 

Donate Now

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Leading Suppliers Council

Aug 04, 2026

How AI Is Changing the Way Builders Source and Validate Land

AI can strengthen site selection in two key ways: surfacing parcels competitors would otherwise never see, and validating them fast enough to act.

Safety

Aug 03, 2026

Strengthen Your Safety Plan During OSHA's Safe + Sound Week

Join NAHB and OSHA in celebrating this year’s Safe + Sound Week, Aug. 10-16, to recognize the successes of workplace health and safety programs and share information and ideas on how to keep workers safe.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Aug 04, 2026

Construction Job Openings Rising

The number of open positions in the construction sector increased in June, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

Economics

Aug 03, 2026

Residential Construction Spending Slips as Remodeling Activity Weakens

Private residential construction spending declined 0.3% in June, while substantial downward revisions to improvement (remodeling) spending significantly altered the sector’s recent trajectory.

Economics

Jul 31, 2026

Housing’s Share of GDP Moves Lower in the Second Quarter

Housing’s share of the economy was 15.8% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest estimates of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This share is down from 15.9% in the first quarter and is at the lowest level since 2019.