Imagine juggling a hammer, a saw, a bag of screws and a power drill. Couldn’t do it? Well, National CORE’s Construction Department has at least that much in the air at any time, and somehow, they make it look easy.
The team’s mantra is “be proactive,” as it works to stay innovative, sustainable and on schedule so that National CORE can deliver beautiful affordable housing communities on time and on budget.
In 2023, the construction team finished five properties across Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, creating 379 new apartment homes. So far in 2024, they have finished two properties, for a total of 135 apartment homes, and they have their sights set on completing six more before the year is over.
Don’t expect that growth to slow any time soon.
“Our department has been on a path of rapid growth over the last five years and we’re tripling our construction volume,” Senior Vice President of Construction Chris Killian said. “In construction, you must think on your feet because something is always bound to not work. I’m incredibly proud of my team because we always manage to find a solution because we’re problem solvers.”
Chris, a 19-year National CORE veteran, said his department thrives on finding creative ways to solve problems. He mentioned 456 West, a six-story affordable housing community in San Pedro, as a source of many challenges and accomplishments. Chris applauded his team for navigating the use of a tower crane, working near overhead power lines, complying with stringent accessibility requirements and operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice President of Estimating Travis Haskin said he is most proud of National CORE earning our fifth consecutive recognition as a LEED for Homes Power Builder from the U.S. Green Building Council. The accolade highlights organizations that construct buildings with energy-efficiency and sustainability in mind. This includes the use of solar panels, electric fuel systems and reduced water use.
Travis said the department standardized floorplans to include similar plumbing, community room, office and bedroom layouts to ensure efficiency for engineers, architects, property managers and even maintenance workers.
“National CORE has a robust pipeline of projects that ensures we are continually growing to keep up with the need of affordable housing,” Vice President of Construction Patrick Meredith said. “It’s a very exciting time for the construction department and National CORE because we’re expanding into new cities, working on new partnerships and tightening our processes. It’s a lot of hard work, but the finished properties are monuments to our accomplishments.”