H&R Roofing Project Manager Angel Aguirre and his father at Olmsted Green in Boston (Mattapan)

MassHousing’s efforts to connect diverse businesses with contract opportunities at Agency-financed construction projects and multifamily developments recently expanded to include one-on-one matchmaking sessions. The new approach is paying dividends for all parties involved. 

Matchmaking sessions have become a part of MassHousing Diversity & Inclusion Trade Fairs held in Greater Boston and Western Massachusetts. During the sessions, diverse businesses meet with general contractors or property management companies who are in the market for their services. In addition, Diversity & Inclusion offers standalone matchmaking sessions in various regions throughout the year.

East Coast Flooring, a minority-owned business based in Wrentham that has participated in the Eastern Massachusetts Trade Fair for years and received multiple business contracts, was also among the participants in our standalone Business Matchmaking Sessions. Company owner Sunil Lulla’s meeting with Schochet Management led to a $15,000 contract to assist with renovations at Seabury Heights in Worcester.

Framingham-based H&R Roofing has been awarded more than $2 million in contracts over the past two years, stemming from their participation in MassHousing Trade Fairs and a matchmaking meeting with general contractor Keith Construction.

"That’s when the door opened for us to get into these large construction contracts," said Angel Aguirre, Project Manager with H&R Roofing. "Based on these contracts, we were able to create a commercial division, and now that’s the core of our company."

H&R Roofing has worked with Keith Construction and NEI General Contracting on projects in Worcester, Cambridge, Sudbury and Boston, to name a few.

"I just want to express how important it is that MassHousing puts together these events for minority-owned businesses," said Angel. "These companies are giving us great opportunities to earn these contracts, employ people and grow our business."

Diversity & Inclusion staff are focused on forging business-to-business connections that foster new working relationships.