affordable

Here's the latest house kit update from Ron, our wonderful, money-saving contractor:

I started the call mentioning how dramatic the sky looked in the pictures he took.

His reply? ; )

"I didn't even see 'em, I was looking at the house.

All the outside walls were up, within 2 hours of what I had hoped.

We have no crew tomorrow because of the Amish wedding, Thursday we'll put the top plate in and build a bearing wall in the middle.
Friday we're out...

We won't set panels until Monday morning."

Habitat for Humanity in Stephens City, Virginia goes green using Structural Insulated Panels provided locally.  I am so Proud!  I will try to upload the full video soon but until then this link will take you to the video blurb.

http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/32563184.html#

Stephens City is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build new homes in the community. A 20ft. pile of dirt is now the site of a housing development. Crooked Lane Housing Project includes single family homes build by Habitat for Humanity. The nearly $2 million project will serve low to moderate income families.

Habitat for Humanity is building five houses in Stephens City. A local mother with three children will receive the very first house. She hopes to move in by Christmas so her family can celebrate in their brand new home. "We're very excited about it. The children are estatic, they're going to get their own rooms...just really excited. The volunteers are super, they come out here on their own accord. It's fantastic to watch them want to help somebody," says Carole Synowietz. if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('');if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']){ document.write(plpm['Mid-Story Ad']);} else { if(self['plurp'] && plurp['97']){} else {document.write(''); } }if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('');

All of the houses are built with green products so homeowners use less energy and save money. Special panels are installed that help reduce heating and cooling costs. "At Habitat for Humanity we want to acquire affordable housing not only for the present but also for the future of our homeowners. That's why we started with these structural insulated panels that gives the homeowner a more economical utility bill in the future," says project manager, Eric Fesperman.

Habitat has built and restored over 250,000 homes for families in need. In the midst of a housing crisis and mortgage meltdown, Habitat is giving five families hope and stability.

Volunteers are on site from 8 am to 4pm three days a week. The development is located on Crooked Lane in Stephens City. Contact the Winchester or Front Royal Habitat office for more information.

Here is the update you have been asking for.  Wednesday I went to the site to drop off some tools for the Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and snap a few shots of the site.  This is where five Habitat for Humanity homes are to be built.  Three of them will be finished before the end of the year and two more in spring.  All of these homes are being built with R-Control Structural Insulated Panels provided by Cardinal Building Systems (yes I just gave myself a plug but you know I don't do it often). 

These panels were originally only going to be used for the woman's build due to the limited supply of skilled labor.  Once we were able to work with Habitat they realized that these could save them money elsewhere with speed of construction, even with unskilled labor, and they chose to use SIPs on each of these houses.  Here is a shot of me putting in my volunteer hours at the Woman's Build site.  It isn't a good shot but it proves that I do more than just sit behind my computer.

These homes are going to help the recipients to be able to afford to live in them.  There is more to living in a house than just paying your mortgage.  There are also energy costs.  The SIPs create a tight envelope that will drastically reduce energy leaks and eliminate on average 2 to 3 tons of CO2 emissions per year per house.  These houses will also be quieter inside than their conventionally built neighbors due to the fact that the foam is a sound barrier.

R-Control SIPs are non toxic and recyclable.  We even took the scrap from cutting out the doors to cut down into sample pieces to give to our builders so that they can educate their customers.  There will be more updates as this project moves along.  Below is another example of unskilled labor.

When desciding about what materials you are able to afford take a tip from Habitat for Humanity.  The Winchester, VA Habitat for Humanity first looked into using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for the Womans Build because they are easier for unskilled labor to work with.  Then after much research, and a little help from Cardinal, they found that SIPs worked very well within their budget and they were able to budget them in on more than one project. 

There are currently three Habitat Homes being built with SIPs and another two are scheduled for the spring.  Habitat wants to help people not only get into a home but to be able to afford to heat and cool the homes.  The tight envelope that the SIPs create will help reduce energy leaks drastically and in turn save the homeowner over the long term.

Another benefit is the speed and ease of construction.  Since the Habitat for Humanity structures are built mostly by volunteers, you have eager workers but not always skilled workers.  SIPs are very easy to work with and since they can come in large formats you have a large area of work completed in less time and with less people.

This type of building benefits everyone.  Those who work on the home are left with a sense of well being for helping their fellow man.  Those who receive the home have a sense of security that comes with home ownership and affordable bills.  Also the home will use less energy so it is better for the earth.  All together this is the best type of Green Building.

In August 2008, the Mayor of Boston announced a new Green Affordable Housing Program designed to encourage the building of affordable housing that accomplishes the following things:

1) results in low maintenance and energy costs for renters and homeowners

2) promotes the health and well-being of residents and

3) minimizes the environmental impacts of development by conserving water, energy and other resources, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the Boston Department of Neighborhood Development's design guidelines now include green and energy standards that require development projects to meet LEED Silver and well as Energy Star standards.

There is no question that Boston is at the forefront of the green building movement. In January 2007, Boston became the first major U.S. city to require that all private development meet LEED Certified standards.

We applaud Boston for its latest move. If green buildings are going to move from "niche to norm," they must be available for all. Requiring affordable housing to meet green standards moves the green building movement in the right direction.