The introduction of new housing technology in the United States is a notoriously slow and costly process. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it takes 17 years to research and approve a new product or technique and deliver it to the marketplace. In 1994, the White House charged representatives of the home building industry with the task of developing a program that would accelerate the creation and widespread use of next-generation housing technology. The end result was PATH the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing. Officially launched by President Clinton and NAHB president Don Martin at a joint press event in 1998, PATH brings 13 federal government agencies together with members of the private sector, including home builders, product manufacturers, financial and insurance organizations, utility companies, labor organizations and university and research laboratories.
PATH is a true partnership between government and industry.
A PATH steering committee chaired by former NAHB president Roger Glunt develops and coordinates private sector participation. The Department of Housing and Urban Development manages the Federal side, with Elizabeth Burdock, PATH s federal director, coordinating the various government agencies. But through different projects and activities, PATH has brought agencies together with industry. For its efforts to promote new ways of building houses that improve affordability, durability, energy efficiency and environmental performance, Professional Builder honors PATH with its Achievement Award. The PATH partnership aims to do no less than change the way Americans live.