The Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) partnered Technical and Career Education (TCE) students with professionals in the community to construct its 11th single-family home for public sale. Known as The House Students Built (THSB) program, the house sale’s net profits go toward supporting the foundation’s Adopt A+ Grants program, which funds innovative and creative learning grants for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) teachers.
Since 1991, the project has resulted in more than $790,000 of the $1.7 million in scholarships and grants the foundation has awarded to students and VBCPS teachers and has received donations of materials and time valued at over $150,000 per house.
“I’m amazed by the work these students do,” said Laurie Yates, a landscape design instructor at TCE. “They started this project not knowing much about their industries, and now they are leaving with real-life, hands-on experience.”
The build, two years in the making, involved 86 students enrolled in TCE programs including masonry, plumbing, electricity, landscape design, carpentry, heating and air conditioning, and computer engineering. In addition, nearly 40 businesses offered their time, expertise and materials to support construction of the home.
“The Tech Center has allowed me hands-on learning, but this program allowed me hands-on training, and that’s just phenomenal,” said Daniel Pugh, an electricity student. “Being a part of The House Students Built program gave me the necessary skills, hands-on training and networking skills to jump-start my career.”
This home will also be sustainable. Home features include an on-demand tankless water heater, closed-loop geothermal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, energy-efficient windows, low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets, non-volatile organic compound (VOC) adhesives, programmable thermostats, and Bermuda sod and native plants that require less water consumption.
“This house is the embodiment of hands-on learning and community involvement,” said Amber Rach, VBCPS director of community engagement. “Without the experienced professionals that volunteer from our community, this project wouldn’t be possible.”
The 11th house, which is located at 1905 Evar Place in Virginia Beach, is scheduled to be put on sale later this year. For more information about the THSB program or the home for sale, contact VBEF coordinator Debbie Griffey at 757-263-1069 or Debbie.Griffey@VBSchools.com.
For more photos visit the THSB Facebook album.