$1 Million in Scholarships for Groundbreaking Veterans Program
Milwaukee, WI., March 19, 2019 – The National Center for Housing Management (NCHM) unveiled the Veterans for Housing Initiative (VHI) – a landmark effort to attract veterans of the U.S. military to jobs in the housing industry.
Beginning in July, NCHM will offer scholarships to qualified veterans to attend any of the 400+ courses it offers nationwide and earn its industry-leading certifications. The commitment has a value of $1,000,000.
“The housing industry is a great place for veterans to start or re-start their civilian careers,” said NCHM President Paul Votto. “Many of the skills and competencies developed in service to our country are in strong demand in the housing industry. This program will enable veterans to find a rewarding career while they provide great help to our industry. Thus, the name Veterans for Housing – vets will be able to contribute to their own well-being and that of their families while helping to strengthen neighborhoods and communities across America.”
The scholarship program is named in honor of the late Chairman and CEO of NCHM, John Burke, who guided the organization from 1981 until 2017. It is the first step in what will be a major push to attract veterans to careers in housing management.
The second step of the Initiative will be the Veterans for Housing Internship Program. NCHM is in the process of securing commitments for twenty-five, year-long paid positions. “The public and private organizations we have reached out to so far have expressed overwhelming enthusiasm,” said Votto. “They recognize the great potential that veterans represent for our industry.”
NCHM will train candidates for the positions at no cost to the participating veterans. Applicants will be assisted by NCHM career advisors who will match the veterans’ skills and interests with the appropriate education and internship. “The twenty-five, year-long internships are just the start,” said Votto. “It is our intention to substantially expand the program in the future.”
Wendy Burke, current Chair of NCHM and the daughter of Mr. Burke, said the Veterans for Housing Initiative is not a NCHM-only program and emphasized its grassroots nature. “We hope to fulfill the mandate of the Executive Order of the President that created NCHM in 1972 by providing leadership in this important area,” said Ms. Burke.
“And we believe that the entire industry will get behind this effort for our veterans, who have done so much for our country.”
NCHM will hold a summit in June where representatives of the housing industry, veterans’ groups, government and other interested organizations will explore ways to expand the Initiative.
“At NCHM we like to say, ‘the future is bright’ and we know that a bright future for veterans awaits them in the housing industry,” said Ms. Burke.
NCHM is a non-profit organization created by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1972 pursuant to an Executive Order of the President of the United States. The organization provides objective and independent leadership in helping to meet the Nation’s housing management needs through education, professional certification, and technical assistance. Annually, more than 10,000 professionals attend NCHM programs and scores of public and private clients rely on its technical assistance to improve the quality of both affordable and market-rate multi-family and senior housing.