The City of Mobile announced Thursday it has invested $100,000 to support the launch of the South Alabama Homebuilding Academy, SAHA, a new workforce development initiative designed to train the city’s next generation of homebuilders and construction professionals.
The investment was made through a one-time performance contract proposed by Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis and approved by the Mobile City Council during its meeting on Dec. 2, 2025.
SAHA is modeled after successful homebuilding academies in other parts of Alabama and will offer free, hands-on construction training to local workers and young Mobilians interested in entering the building trades. Beginning in January of 2026, the academy will partner with Goodwill Gulf Coast to host classes teaching foundational construction skills, safety courses and specialized trades like roofing, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and HVAC installation and maintenance.
“Building more housing and creating economic opportunities for Mobilians are both crucial to the city’s future, and the SAHA is going to help us do both,” Mayor Cheriogotis said. “This exciting partnership will help Mobilians gain the skills and credentials they need to find work in construction at a time when the industry is growing and looking for qualified workers. We want Mobilians filling those jobs, and we want them building homes right here in our neighborhoods.”
More than 60 people have already signed up for SAHA classes, underscoring the strong local demand for this kind of accessible training and career development. As part of its ongoing efforts to streamline inspection and permitting services, the City of Mobile said it will be exploring how revenue generated from future building permit fees can provide long-term support for SAHA.
Additional information about SAHA and its upcoming classes is available at gobuildmobile.org.
