HDA’s Volunteer Program is open to individuals 18 years and older. We also welcome organized groups, including churches, schools, colleges, businesses, and civic organizations.

Some youth groups and local high school groups may participate with prior approval and appropriate supervision. Any volunteer under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

If you’re unsure whether your group is eligible, our Volunteer & Community Coordinator is happy to help you determine the best fit.

Volunteers serve in Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, and Perry counties in Eastern Kentucky – a rural Appalachian region with a deep sense of place and community.

This is where HDA has worked for decades, building and repairing homes alongside local families. While the region faces persistent economic challenges, it is also rich in resilience, pride, and generosity. Volunteers often say they come to serve – and leave having learned just as much.

Volunteers work alongside HDA carpenters to support low-income individuals & families and flood-impacted households in our service area.

The families we serve include:

• Seniors aging in place

• People with disabilities

• Veterans

• Families with children

• Households displaced or impacted by the 2022 and 2025 floods

Our work focuses on helping people remain safely housed, rebuild after disaster, and move toward long-term stability – not just short-term relief.

Eastern Kentucky faces a severe housing shortage driven by poverty, disability, disaster recovery, and aging housing stock.

Thousands of households in our region live on extremely limited incomes, and many homes are unsafe, inaccessible, or no longer habitable – especially following recent flooding. At the same time, demand for affordable housing continues to rise.

HDA exists to build what lasts: safe, affordable homes and repairs that allow families to stay rooted in their community and move forward with dignity.

Volunteers assist with:

• New home construction (framing, finishing, and site work)

• Home repair and rehabilitation (ramps, porches, flooring, painting, accessibility improvements, and more)

No construction experience is required. Volunteers work alongside skilled HDA carpenters, who provide guidance, training, and supervision on every worksite.

Every task – whether large or small – plays a role in helping a family move closer to safe, stable housing.

No. Construction experience is not required.

HDA carpenters are present on every worksite and will show volunteers how to complete tasks safely and effectively. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome and needed.

If you do have construction or trade experience, we’re glad to put those skills to use – but a willing heart and readiness to work are just as important.

Yes. Every worksite is supervised by an HDA lead carpenter, and our Volunteer & Community Coordinator remains available to support volunteers throughout their service.

Clear communication, safety oversight, and hands-on instruction are core parts of the volunteer experience.

Volunteer safety is a top priority.

HDA staff provide:

• Onsite supervision

• Clear safety expectations

• Job-specific instruction

All volunteers are expected to follow Work Site Rules and listen closely to staff guidance. Group leaders are responsible for helping ensure their participants understand and follow safety requirements.

No. The Housing Development Alliance is not affiliated with any religion or faith tradition.

While some volunteers are housed or supported by local churches, HDA is a nonprofit housing organization open to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. Our mission is rooted in community, dignity, and access to safe housing for all.