In this issue:
HomeAid and Zonda's 2026 Housing Market Outlook Breakfast was a Huge Success!
Thank you to the 2026 Housing Market Outlook Breakfast Sponsors
HomeAid Affiliates make a significant impact at the end of 2025
HomeAid Podcast: Unsheltered Conversations - New Episodes Available
Ways to Give - Building our Shared Vision Together
Term of the Month: Imminent Risk of Homelessness
Recommended Reading: A Place to Belong by Lisa Steven
Builder and Developer - HomeAid Houston
HomeAid Partners
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A Meaningful Morning: HomeAid & Zonda Present the 2026 Housing Market Outlook
HomeAid’s annual Zonda Housing Market Outlook Breakfast brought together leaders from across the homebuilding industry for an energizing morning of insight, conversation, and impact. With all proceeds supporting HomeAid’s mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness rebuild their lives, the event once again demonstrated the generosity and leadership of our industry partners.
Economic Clarity from Zonda’s Chief Economist
The morning began with a data-rich economic presentation from Ali Wolf, Zonda’s Chief Economist, who delivered an engaging recap of the 2025 housing landscape along with a thoughtful forecast for 2026. Covering everything from interest rate expectations to buyer demand, construction trends, and regional market dynamics, Ali provided the clarity and context our industry relies on during uncertain times.
A Dynamic and Candid Builder Panel
One of the most valuable components of this year’s program was our builder panel, featuring:
Greg Shaia Brookfield Residential – Representing thoughtful optimism for the year ahead
Mitch Goodman The Resmark Companies – Offering sharp financial insight
Steve Ruffner KB Home – Sharing decades of perspective across shifting markets
Linda Mamet Tri Pointe Homes – Bringing strategic marketing and customer lens to the conversation
These leaders representing several of the nation’s most respected builders delivered a candid, often humorous, and deeply insightful discussion about what drives consumer behavior, where the market is strengthening, and how their teams are planning for 2026. Their authenticity and expertise resonated strongly with attendees, sparking lively discussion long after the panel wrapped.
Guidance from Industry Voices
We extend a special thank-you to the one and only Tim Sullivan, who served as our emcee and guided the morning with his trademark blend of warmth, industry knowledge, and humor.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Jeff Shore - Shore Consulting, whose message on leadership, mindset, and resilience brought powerful perspective to the work ahead both in our industry and in HomeAid’s mission.
A Community United for Impact
We were grateful to share the morning with long-standing partners and supporters across the homebuilding community including board members of HomeAid America and from many of HomeAid’s affiliates. Their engagement reflects the deep alignment between the building industry and HomeAid’s mission.
Special thanks to all sponsors, attendees, and supporters. Your presence and generosity help fuel the critical work of our 20 affiliates nationwide.
Strengthening HomeAid’s Mission Through Partnership
While the program focused on the economic climate, the purpose behind the event was clear: expanding HomeAid’s ability to build safe, dignified housing and provide vital services to individuals and families in crisis.
Throughout the morning, we celebrated stories of impact from HomeAid affiliates across the country including a highlight video from HomeAid Northern California and teams from HomeAid San Diego, HomeAid Inland Empire, and HomeAid Orange County | Los Angeles whose work continues to demonstrate the power of industry partnership.
We also had a special mission moment highlighting the work of HomeAid Colorado’s partner Tall Tales Ranch and their coffee business Tall Tales Ranch Coffee Company.
Looking Forward to 2026
As the market continues to evolve, HomeAid remains steadfast in its mission and deeply committed to collaborating with builders, developers, trades, and community partners to meet the growing needs ahead. Events like the Housing Market Outlook Breakfast remind us that when our industry comes together sharing knowledge, resources, and compassion, we are capable of extraordinary things.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and invested in a morning of insight and impact. Together, we are building more than housing, we are building hope.
Scott Larson
CEO HomeAid America
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Thank you to all of this year's sponsors.
Your Generosity is helping HomeAid build a future without homelessness!
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HomeAid Affiliates finishes 2025 strong with significant impact across the country
HomeAid National Capital Region, along with builder captain DRB Homes, and 15 trade partners, celebrated the completed renovation at Hebron Shelter in Leesburg. This five-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home, owned by Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia, provides group housing and critical programs for mothers and children transitioning out of homelessness.
This project saved Good Shepherd more than $115,000 in labor, time, and expertise, and marks the third project HomeAid National Capital Region and its partners have completed for Good Shepherd over the last year.
HomeAid National Capital Region also recently celebrated the completion of two renovations for Langley Residential Support Services, a nonprofit in Fairfax County, VA that serves adults with developmental disabilities, their families, and the broader community through quality, comprehensive residential and community support services.
Thanks to the builder captain, K. Hovnanian® Homes, and 33 trade partners who worked on the project, HomeAid National Capital Region saved Langley Residential Support Services $146,806 in labor, time, and expertise.
HomeAid Colorado recently marked a significant milestone in the progress of Tall Tales Ranch. The construction and building teams will help bring this community to life. The partners gathered to walk the property, review the plans, and align on the next steps as the process moves steadily toward the start of construction.
This step represents far more than a technical milestone. Each phase brings Tall Tales Ranch closer to providing independent housing, community, and opportunity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and to creating a place where belonging and purpose can thrive.
HomeAid Hawaii’s Kīpūola Kauhale is here.
Kīpūola Kauhale will be Maui’s first and largest kauhale village, marking a major step forward in Hawai‘i’s approach to deeply affordable housing and expanding the kauhale model to the neighbor islands.
The village will provide 64 homes for wildfire survivors and individuals experiencing homelessness, creating new pathways to stability and economic mobility. Designed with connection and privacy in mind, it includes shared kitchens, showers, and flex spaces in four clusters, along with a community center, laundry, and offices for on-site service providers.
HomeAid Minnesota recently celebrated an inspiring milestone at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 15th Housing for Heroes home in St. Paul, built in partnership with the MACV Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans and Lennar Minnesota. This new residence will provide safe, stable housing and essential support services for veterans experiencing homelessness in Ramsey County and the Twin Cities metro. The three-bedroom home, along with an additional one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit, will help multiple veterans and their families rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
HomeAid Phoenix and its volunteers from across the valley came together at the House of Refuge for our 5th annual Paint-A-Thon.
In just one day, teams transformed several transitional housing units—painting interiors, exteriors, fencing, and completing other projects that help make the campus feel like home for its residents.
This year’s impact was incredible: the group completed the exterior painting of 14 homes, painted approximately 2,200 square feet of fencing, provided new curb address stenciling on 88 homes, and painted one interior office and one interior hallway. Altogether, 120 volunteers were on site making it all happen!
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A Message of Deep Gratitude: Building Our Shared Vision Together
We extend our deepest gratitude to every donor, partner, and attendee who supports HomeAid America and its initiatives. Your generosity is the very foundation of our work; simply put, we couldn't do this crucial work without you. The collective support we receive directly translates into tangible results: safe, stable housing for those in need. Every dollar raised ensures our construction projects move forward, providing the resources and dignity individuals and families need to rebuild their lives. Thank you for proving, time and again, that community dedication is our most valuable tool.
With your continued partnership, we stay true to our vision: a future where every member of our community has a safe place to call home, a community that knows life without homelessness.
Your gifts keep us building, not just structures, but new opportunities for self-sufficiency and stability. As we expand our capacity and reach in the coming year, we look forward to sharing stories of lives changed because of your unwavering commitment. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more compassionate future.
You can build on our current achievements by donating here today!
For more information, please get in touch with Marisol Parand, HomeAid’s Chief Development Officer, at mparand@homeaid.org.
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Term of the Month:
Imminent risk of homelessness
This applies to individuals and families on the brink of being unhoused. They have an annual income below 30 percent of the median income for the area. They don't have sufficient resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing and will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that:
1. Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance.
2. No subsequent residence has been identified.
3. The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
Note: Includes individuals and families who are within 14 days of losing their housing, including housing they own, rent, share with others, or are living in without paying rent.
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A Place to Belong: The True Story of a Teen Mom, a Humbling Leadership Journey, and a House Called Hope by Lisa Steven
We’re excited to feature A Place to Belong by Lisa Steven, Executive Director of Hope House Colorado, in this month’s Recommended Reading list. Lisa’s deeply personal and inspiring story of transformation, service, and leadership offers powerful insight into the journey from vulnerability to empowerment, as well as the remarkable impact of thoughtful, supportive housing and community programs.
What the Book Covers
In this narrative, Lisa Steven chronicles her own experience as a teen mom, how she found purpose in helping other young mothers, and how she went on to co-found Hope House Colorado in 2003. Her book details the challenges faced by teen mothers, including the risks of homelessness and generational poverty, and shows how one organization built a “house called hope” where young mothers and their children could find safe lodging, guidance, education, and a new path forward.
Why It Aligns with HomeAid’s Mission
At HomeAid America, our mission is to build new lives for individuals and families experiencing homelessness through housing and community outreach. The story in A Place to Belong closely intersects with this mission. By highlighting how housing and supportive services can change the trajectory of at-risk young families, the book emphasizes that shelter is only one piece of the solution; the surrounding community, mentoring, education, and opportunity are just as crucial.
Furthermore, HomeAid Colorado has partnered with Hope House on multiple occasions, including the development of their resource center in Denver, making this book a meaningful read for our network. The work of Hope House mirrors the collaborative building-industry partnerships we champion, combining nonprofit vision, construction expertise, and community support to create housing that transforms lives.
For Families, Volunteers & Staff
- A great read for volunteers and staff who serve at-risk mothers and families: Lisa’s story offers both inspiration and practical lessons.
- For families and educators: this book opens avenues to discuss topics of housing stability, empowerment, and community support with older teens and young adults.
- For those in the building industry or nonprofit outreach, the book offers insight into how mission-driven housing projects emerge from partnership, passion, and purpose.
A Place to Belong is a compelling testament to the power of hope-filled housing, community, and transformation. We highly recommend it to everyone in our HomeAid community staff, affiliates, volunteers, and supporters alike, as it underscores why we build, whom we build for, and how each home, program, and partnership can create lasting change.
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