THE HOME BUILDER
July 2024
Page Three
Dallas Builders Association Turns 80 This Month!
It all started in 1944. World War II was winding down, and soldiers were coming home to start their fami- lies—but the housing industry was not ready for them. There was a shortage of materials and labor, so homebuild- ers were scrambling. Our founders stood at a cross- roads of need and opportunity in 1944, and they built this Association around it. Together, they tackled the housing challenges facing our Greatest Generation. They figured out we were better together. Builders tend to be individualists. By nature and tackle challenges head on. That’s why what Hugh Prather did on July 20, 1944, was something special. He invited a group of builders to his office, stuck them in a room and suggested they work together as an association. The Dallas Builders Association was born that day. And even though its role has evolved over the last 80 years, we’ve never lost sight of our mission. We enable our members to build safe, affordable and quality housing. We safeguard the American dream of homeownership. We represent an industry that’s
the heartbeat of the nation’s economy. It’s no accident that this area is one of the nation’s best housing mar- kets. We can point to countless mile- stones in our history, and say: That’s a turning point in a neighborhood’s development; That drove economic growth; That’s a housing standard we created that set the bar nationally. Everyone deserves a roof over their head and an affordable place to call home. That’s why, since the very beginning, we’ve stood up against regulations and exclusionary zoning that hurt lower income families. Our advocacy efforts have saved builders thousands of dollars per home, giving hundreds of thousands of people access to communities who would otherwise be denied. Savings take on many forms. Thanks to the Dallas BA, energy and resource efficient home building quickly moved from an aspiration to an expectation. Initiatives such as Green Built Texas allowed homes to become 30 percent more efficient over a 10-year period. Housing affordability equals opportunity. Companies land here be- cause of it. Families move here for it. It translates to job growth and economic
growth, and because of that, the entire region wins. After all, homes are where the jobs sleep at night. Homes provide shelter, which is a basic human need along with food and water. As an organization, we are uniquely able to provide this core need to those who need it most. We take great pride in our charitable partnerships: Operation Finally Home, Patriot PAWS, Lone Star CASA, the Samaritan Inn, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish ... just to name a few. We’re proud of our Parade of Homes™, our trademark event since 1952. The Parade showcases the best our industry has to offer in décor and technology. People still come from all over to see the Parade. This is one of the nation’s most active housing markets—our events are nationally recognized, and so are our members. Look around town. Our mem - bers’ names are etched on buildings, highways, streets, the Texas Housing Hall of Honor, even the National Housing Hall of Fame. The Dallas BA has received many accolades. That’s what happens when you’ve done eight decades of good and noble work. The real credit belongs to the tradespeople. This industry simply
does not exist without our labor force. That’s why we’ve put money and advocacy behind schools and appren- ticeship programs that are essential to our future. Education is a mainstay of our Association. Our education program has won numerous national awards thanks to dedicated industry experts and members who strive to grow in their profession. It’s amazing to think that what started in one room went on to build one of the world’s greatest cities and now represents a jurisdiction cover- ing 10 counties and more than 8,000 square miles. We serve 4.5 million people. Dozens more move here each day. The story of Dallas would be very different without the Dallas Builders Association. Our Association built this area into an American success story. The foundation of that success was laid 80 years ago in Hugh Prath - er’s office. Since then, it’s been guided by many hands. From our presidents, our board members, our dedicated staff and each and every one of our members. We are now just as we were then...better together.
The Association’s inaugural meeting was held on July 31, 1944, at Highland Park Village Town Hall. The first Board – 12 directors – were elected, dues of $25 were fixed for the remainder of the calendar year, and Hugh Prather was named president and directed to wire a message to the Texas Senators in Washington opposing perpetuation of certain government bureaus as a threat to free enterprise.
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