Building Lives By Building Structure

Affordable housing shouldn’t be a faraway dream, it should be a right. Building Lives by Building Structure (BLBS) is a 501 c3 non-profit founded by members of the Hupa Tribe that seeks to make sure the Tribe can not only afford comfortable, safe, and sustainable housing, but to also revitalize their local economy and the livelihood of their community.

The Hupa Tribe of Hoopa Valley, CA is at a crisis point. Not only is there a massive need for affordable housing within the community, but with 70% of the population currently school aged children, that need will only grow exponentially as time goes on. In short, the time to fix an affordable housing crisis before it spirals out of control is now. Currently, the local Housing Authority is focusing on building homes for those that have good credit and have moderate to high income while families that need the most assistance have no opportunities for affordable housing. These low income families are living in overcrowded, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions. Many have grown complacent, accepting this as an unchanging reality, and children brought up in these environments believe this is how everybody lives. With your help, BLBS can provide affordable housing for these families. . 
 
BLBS intends to build affordable housing and rentals by offering hands-on construction training for disadvantaged and unemployed members of the Tribe so they can be part of community rebuilding and gain control of their future. Trainees in the program will learn essential carpentry skills, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training, and most importantly, define a career path for themselves and have the opportunity to become a homeowner  while earning a decent living wage. Additionally, BLBS intends to launch a mentorship program for trainees, helping them hone their skills and talents to grow into other careers or leadership positions. 

New affordable housing isn’t the only goal for BLBS. Helping restore and repair existing structures is also a large priority, especially when it comes to assisting the elderly, veterans and the most at risk low income households. BLBS believes that teaching trainees about community service will help to inspire them to work hard and believe in the future they are working towards.

The path to helping the Hupa Tribe has never been more obtainable. But it will only be possible with your help. Your donations will go to helping BLBS with the following:


Phase One:

Provide  a 30-hour Intro to the Carpentry trade through the classroom and small hands on building projects 

Purchase classroom materials and safety vests for students 

Obtain funding to pay for Calosha certification

Field trip to a new construction or housing renovation project 


Phase Two: 

Conduct a fundraising event to pay for:
- a new website
- stipends for students and trainer
- tools
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- building materials
- stipend for professional builders presentations

Phase Three:

Start building affordable housing for the Klamath-Trinity region