Green Habitats for Humanity

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Three cheers for community charity group Habitat for Humanity has taken great strides lately to incorporate its vision for the elimination of substandard residential housing with the growing push for environmentally friendly, sustainable building practices and technologies. Local chapters have been at the forefront of this new push for green housing.

In 2008, alone, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH-GLA) built thirty Silver LEED-certified homes for families in need.

Sustainable building and LEED certification as defined and graded by the US Green Building Council incorporate low-impact construction and energy-efficient appliances and a variety of creative building and demolition practices. Some of Habitat for Humanity’s strategies include:

· Energy-efficient design, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems
· Active solar technology, including rooftop solar water heaters
· Energy Star appliances and low-energy fluorescent lighting
· Recyclable building materials, carpets made from recycled soda bottles
· Low emission finishes, including paints and varnishes with low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
· Water-efficient, low-flow toilets and shower heads
· Water filtration systems and native, drought-tolerant landscaping to minimize pollution through storm run-off, conserve water and protect soil quality
· Recycled, blown-in insulation with thermal-pane windows and doors

Their goal of Providing Green Housing Serves Humanitarian and Environmental Needs conjures up images of Jimmy Carter surrounded by grateful smiles for me.

These efforts to promote green housing are beneficial for both the needy and the environment. For new homeowners, green Habitat homes generate lower utility bills due to their efficiencies. Some homes are even able to generate a portion of their own energy by utilizing rooftop solar panels. Some of the passively powered habitat homes in Michigan only require about $30 to heat in winter, leaving extra money for essentials such as food and education. Green homes are also healthier for their inhabitants, because they are built with nontoxic materials and are designed to minimize the accumulation of household pollutants.

Habitat for Humanity has a variety of programs in the Metro New York area, creating homes in the South Bronx and Brooklyn as well. We’ll bring you more info on these programs which are putting people to work, families in affordable housing and creating healthy homes.