Habitat for Humanity International and The Home Depot Foundation today announced a $30 million program that will help fund the construction of 5,000 green homes over the next five years.
The funding expands the Partners in Sustainable Building (PSB) program and will help Habitat affiliates build 5,000 homes that meet Energy Star® guidelines or another recognized green building standard. The new homes will incorporate the use of energy-efficient equipment, water-conserving fixtures and good indoor air quality.
More than 120 Habitat affiliates across 45 states were selected to participate in the first year of the national rollout that begins at the end of August. These affiliates will be granted $3,000 for each home built to Energy Star standards and up to $5,000 for each home built to a higher green standard. Nearly 1,500 sustainable homes will be built in 2009 and 2010, according to a releaese.
Partners in Sustainable Building (PSB) was established last year through a pilot program with 30 Habitat affiliates across a variety of climates in rural and urban areas throughout the United States. Habitat built more than 260 homes that met a green building standard during the pilot. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, benefits or features of homes built to this standard include:
- Up to 50% less energy use than their conventional counterparts
- Reductions of up to a third in indoor water consumption because of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances
- Incorporation of durable materials that lower maintenance costs over the life of the structure, making homes more affordable
- Approximately 11 tons less carbon and greenhouse gas emissions per household annually, the equivalent of taking 250 cars off the road
During the pilot phase of the program, an additional $2,000 in energy-saving features were added to Habitat houses. Early results show energy savings between 15 and 30%. In fact, in some of the PSB homes already built to LEED Platinum standards, energy savings of almost 50% are being seen, according to a release.
"Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity International is demonstrating that these techniques can actually make homes more affordable to own, maintain and live in from day one and for the long term," Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation.
To inspire and educate additional affiliate participation, eight Habitat State Support Organizations, which provide services to 440 affiliates, will also receive grant money to add staff and host training sessions for Habitat affiliates to learn how to build to nationally recognized green standards.
Partners in Sustainable Building is the first partnership between The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity at the national level in the United States.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people.
Loading...