Brandon Lynch leads team of custom home builders to improve Santa Maria Hostel (Houston Chronicle, Homes Section, August 17, 2014) — Years ago, HomeAid Houston, a Greater Houston Builders Association charity, identified the services Santa Maria Hostel provides to women, including homeless female veterans. This commitment has translated into construction projects to help improve SMH's facility.

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the GHBA's Custom Builders Council and HomeAid teamed up to make improvements to Santa Maria's multipurpose room where residents hold meetings and education classes, and where they gather with family members to celebrate holidays and other special occasions.

At 9 a.m., crews began the demolition, including two bathrooms that had the original fixtures from 1965. The project included replacing the flooring, bathroom sinks, cabinets, tubs and toilets, along with laying floor tiles and installing new cabinets and countertops in the multi-purpose room.

The meeting area received a full redo with new paint, energy-efficient windows and doors. The work will continue over two weeks with an anticipated dedication scheduled for mid-September.

“The CBC team of 12 companies, led by Brandon Lynch with Keechi Creek Builders, donated materials, labor and time to this ambitious effort,” said Bette Moser, executive director of HomeAid Houston. “Whenever there's a call for donations or assistance of any kind from HomeAid to the GHBA membership, the response is immediate and heart-felt. Santa Maria staff and residents and HomeAid can't thank the CBC enough for their generosity.”

Companies involved include: Bison, A Stock Building Supply Co.; BMC Building Materials and Construction Services; Coastal Plumbing; Compass Drywall; Dennis Williams and Co. Inc.; Dal-Tile Corp.; The Detering Co. Building Materials; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery; MASCO/Merillat Cabinetry; Parmet, Chapman and Madsen, PC; Sherwin-Williams Paint Co.; and Texrite.

Santa Maria's female veterans' program, the VIEWS (Veteran Initiative Empowering Women's Stability, Skills and Self-Determination), has created 24 new transitional housing beds for homeless female veterans. The program offers a comprehensive continuum of care through a menu of supportive services based on individualized needs.

“HomeAid Houston has always been a huge part of improving lives at Santa Maria Hostel,” said Barbara Page, SMH CFO. “This current project also will enhance the time families can spend together, something that is key to the healing time our residents need and deserve.”

For information, visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970.