The National Consortium of Housing Research Centers has many accomplishments since its establishment in 1988.
- Through attendance at the International Builders' Show and other national meetings, the universities have gained a better perspective of the home building industry. Conversely, the industry has gained a better perspective of the universities' roles in housing research and education.
- More housing courses are being taught at U.S. universities, and these are providing an educated workforce for industry, government, and academia.
- There has been immediate recognition of a study area, consequently, there are more, higher quality theses and dissertation projects being produced, and these studies are contributing to the knowledge base about housing issues, to the advancement of housing science, and to the development of a better educated workforce.
- Through both scientific and applied research the universities have contributed to technology transfer in the home building industry though a variety of venues, including the following:
- technical reports
- workshops
- regional, national, and international conferences
- publications
- a national newsletter
- a peer reviewed journal
- An interdisciplinary research infrastructure is in place with bylaws, operating policies and procedures that help to govern, coordinate and focus activities of the Consortium.
- Stronger links to home builders associations around America have been made through the participation of industry advisory councils to housing research centers.
- Consortia research proposals and housing research partnerships have been facilitated. Joint ventures between universities, consultants, and industry laboratories have produced a number of winning proposals for funding of housing research.
- During the first 10 years of the Consortium's existence, member universities have collectively invested over $250,000 in hard cash in development of the Consortium (this does not include faculty and staff salaries, telecommunications and other costs which would probably double this figure).
- Student interns have been supported in the housing industry, at the NAHB Research Center, with homebuilders, and in other organizations, and this too is supporting an educated workforce.
- Because the Consortium members are scattered geographically across the United States and each has their unique interest and capabilities, regional, national and international foci in housing research topics and activities have been facilitated. These are affecting policies at many levels worldwide.
- Students have been attracted to the home building industry through activities at local housing research centers such as with NAHB student chapters, faculty advising, etc.
- Communication within the Consortium has helped to avoid wasteful redundancy in research by facilitated replication of results, advancing the knowledge base of housing research in technology, policy, and delivery systems.
- Consortium members have developed associations with research organizations such as the Energy Efficient Buildings Association (EEBA), the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and others, and these associations have helped to advance the science of housing and construction research.
- Regional consortia for housing research center have been started in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Nevada/California. These help to bring the research needs of the housing industry into focus locally.
- There has been immediate recognition of a study area on housing that could have been focused on other aspects of construction.
- Housing research gives individuals at member schools of the Consortium a context in which to conduct housing research within the framework of a larger organization.
- The Consortium has helped to define the national agenda for housing research.
The National Consortium of Housing Research Centers is proud of its accomplishments. To learn more about the Consortium, contact any member.