| Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has been selected to participate in a national green-building initiative of The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International.
The $30 million green-building program will provide funds and resources over a five-year period to help Habitat affiliates build 5,000 homes that meet Energy Star guidelines or a nationally recognized green-building standard. These features incorporate the use of energy-efficient equipment and water-conserving fixtures and help ensure good indoor air quality.
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is one of 123 Habitat affiliates across 45 states selected to participate in the first year of the national rollout that begins at the end of August. Sussex County Habitat 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. Sussex County Habitat and the other 122 affiliates were chosen through a grant process and together will build nearly 1,500 sustainable homes in 2009 and 2010 alone. The grant process is annual, which gives other Habitat affiliates the opportunity to participate in the program as well.
“The generosity of The Home Depot Foundation will help our affiliate expand its green building practices,” said Beth Fitton, resource development officer at Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. “We are excited to participate in the Partners in Sustainable Building program. In the end, our partner families will benefit through lower energy costs.”
Partners in Sustainable Building 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 sustainable homes that met a green-building standard during the pilot. The pilot program demonstrated that the upfront costs of building green are modest and can be recouped through savings on utility and energy costs over the course of a home’s mortgage. For instance, 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 percent.
“The Home Depot Foundation believes green-building techniques are not a luxury; they aren’t exotic or expensive,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “By embracing the practical principles of green building, 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. With health and economic concerns at an all-time high, this issue is more important than ever for the families who will purchase these homes.”
“The introduction of the Partners in Sustainable Building program has created excitement about the benefits of green building within Habitat for Humanity,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “With the support of The Home Depot Foundation, we have a great opportunity to bring the economic benefits of sustainable building to our homeowners and to show our volunteers how easily and affordably they can make their own homes greener as well.”
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.
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