Affiliated members of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council and their signatory contractors made local history last month by partnering with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity on a project.

On March 14, union construction and community leaders gathered in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood to celebrate the dedication of a house built entirely by union members and contractors.

The project marked the first time Cleveland’s union construction industry partnered with Greater Cleveland Habitat Humanity.

For Sierra Gaughan, a single mother of six children, the day represented a life-changing opportunity.

“Thank you all for giving me this opportunity,” she said. “Since I was approved for this home, it has been amazing.”

Currently studying to become a phlebotomist, Gaughan recalled how she has struggled throughout life, but never gave up on herself or her children.

“I’ve lived in cars, but never in CMHA housing,” she said. “Now I’m a first-time homeowner.”

Gaughan’s turn of fortune would not have been possible without the generosity of the Construction Employers Association, their affiliated contractors, the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council and their affiliated members.

In the fall of 2021, Precision Environmental President Tony DiGeronimo, who currently serves as CEA Chairman, approached Greater Cleveland Habitat about partnering on a project.

DeGeronimo wanted to get his company involved, but when he learned that Greater Cleveland Habitat had a goal to build 100 homes in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood by 2024, he knew it was something CEA needed to be involved with and help complete.

By April 2022, the project broke ground and nearly a year later, Gaughan was set to receive the keys to a house that was fully funded by the CEA, CBCTC and their partners. In total, 63 businesses and organizations contributed to the project, including donated work, materials and funds.

The Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council donated $25,000 to the project.

A collaborative effort, 31 union contractors participated. Those contractors employed between 60 and 100 journeymen and apprentices to use their skills and craftsmanship to build the house.

Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary/Business Manager Dave Wondolowski explained that much of the work he and his CEA counterpart Tim Linville perform involves mundane details of the construction industry or political lobbying.

But this project was a breath of fresh air, he said.

“We need to do this type of work more often,” said Wondolowski.

Jerry Smith, who recently retired as the Director of Construction for Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, estimated that it took building trades members over 2,500 hours to build the house.

In a perfect world, Smith felt the house could have been completed in just over six months, but like many other projects, there were some unexpected issues.

“It was difficult with every tradesman slammed with work and a nationwide shortage of construction workers, so we had to juggle schedules to be fair to our contributors,” he said. “Also, we ran into delays acquiring materials for certain portions of our job. I believe in a perfect setting, we could have had this house turned over in 6 months.”

Smith admitted he was leery at first of the idea of this being an all-union-built house, but the more he got to know the people within the industry, the more he knew it was the right fit.

“I was skeptical and concerned about the project and relationship,” said Smith. “I admit I was wrong. As the project went along, I knew it would work.”

He feels the CEA, CBCTC and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity all share similar traits and principles, which made it a great partnership.

Thanks to the professionalism and quality of work by all involved, it was a hands-off project for him, and one completed with the highest degree of craftsmanship.

“I could not be more proud of the project,” said Smith. “I hope this is not the end of the partnership, but only the beginning.”

“It was a success that the association and industry could team up for such a great cause,” DeGeronimo added.