The Home Building Association of Greater Portland (HBAGP) was recognized for its outstanding work in 2024 with two National Association Excellence Awards (AEA) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The two awards HBAGP received were for “Best Workforce Development Plan Implemented” and “Best Regional Government Affairs Effort”.
The award for the Best Regional Government Affairs Effort recognizes HBA’s role in leading the formation of Portland's First Coordinated Business Advocacy PAC. HBA was a founding member of United for Portland, a coordinated business advocacy PAC created last year to support pragmatic, solution-oriented candidates for the City’s newly expanded 12-member City Council and new ranked choice voting system. The goal was to ensure that Portland's business and housing communities had a voice in shaping policies that impact housing, development, and public safety, and influenced the outcome of this new election and City Council.
Overcoming the challenge of vetting more than 100 candidates, United for Portland supported those committed to tackling Portland’s challenges with a focus on growth, responsible development, and collaboration across sectors. This effort included significant leadership from the Portland Metro Chamber and the Portland Metro realtors, plus the involvement of numerous other organizations. It ultimately helped educate over 57 candidates on business and housing issues and greenlit over two dozen candidates. These candidates were viewed as being committed to effective governance and collaboration, particularly those who prioritized addressing Portland’s toughest challenges, including homelessness, public safety, and housing. This ultimately helped elect a more balanced group of city leaders in last Fall’s elections.
“All of the AEA categories are competitive, but these two in particular are extremely so, especially in the large association size category we participate in,” said Dave Nielsen, HBAGP Chief Executive Officer. “Workforce Development is a high priority for many HBAs and there are several doing some fantastic work across the country. To be recognized like this for our work is phenomenal. And there are only two Government Affairs awards given in our size category each year. We have won the one for Best Regional Effort two years in a row, which is kudos to our staff, committee, and the great partners we work with in our region.”
The award for the Best Regional Government Affairs Effort recognizes HBA’s role in leading the formation of Portland's First Coordinated Business Advocacy PAC. HBA was a founding member of United for Portland, a coordinated business advocacy PAC created last year to support pragmatic, solution-oriented candidates for the City’s newly expanded 12-member City Council and new ranked choice voting system. The goal was to ensure that Portland's business and housing communities had a voice in shaping policies that impact housing, development, and public safety, and influenced the outcome of this new election and City Council.
Overcoming the challenge of vetting more than 100 candidates, United for Portland supported those committed to tackling Portland’s challenges with a focus on growth, responsible development, and collaboration across sectors. This effort included significant leadership from the Portland Metro Chamber and the Portland Metro realtors, plus the involvement of numerous other organizations. It ultimately helped educate over 57 candidates on business and housing issues and greenlit over two dozen candidates. These candidates were viewed as being committed to effective governance and collaboration, particularly those who prioritized addressing Portland’s toughest challenges, including homelessness, public safety, and housing. This ultimately helped elect a more balanced group of city leaders in last Fall’s elections.
“All of the AEA categories are competitive, but these two in particular are extremely so, especially in the large association size category we participate in,” said Dave Nielsen, HBAGP Chief Executive Officer. “Workforce Development is a high priority for many HBAs and there are several doing some fantastic work across the country. To be recognized like this for our work is phenomenal. And there are only two Government Affairs awards given in our size category each year. We have won the one for Best Regional Effort two years in a row, which is kudos to our staff, committee, and the great partners we work with in our region.”
