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 such as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH-GLA) have been at the forefront of this new push for green housing. In 2008, alone, HFH-GLA built thirty green homes for families in need, each of which were awarded Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified status by the US Green Building Council.
Habitat for Humanity Utilizes Several Green Building Practices
Providing green housing requires a variety of approaches to sustainable building. These range from low-impact construction practices to partnerships with energy-efficient appliance manufacturers. Some of HFH-GLA and other Habitat chapters’ green building strategies include:
- Energy-efficient design, including 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 and other plastics, and environmentally friendly green siding
- 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 which minimize pollution from storm runoff
- Native, drought-tolerant landscaping which minimizes lawn water needs and protects soil quality
- Recycled, blown-in insulation with thermal-pane windows and doors
Providing Green Housing Serves Humanitarian and Environmental Needs
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 efficient electrical and plumbing systems. Some homes are even able to generate a portion of their own energy, utilizing technology such as rooftop solar panels. Some of these 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.
For the environment, green building practices minimize the massive waste production associated with traditional building methods by using recyclable materials and waste-reducing building strategies. Ensuring home energy efficiency also serves to lower the carbon emissions associated with electrical power generation. Green building also minimizes natural resource use. For example, some green homes are built with engineered lumber, using half the wood fiber that would be used with traditional lumber sources.
References and Resources for Supporting Green Habitat Homes
For complete details about Habitat for Humanity’s green building practices and how they work to help communities, both human and ecological, visit Habitat for Humanity Goes Green.
Those looking to support green building projects can also learn more about HFH-GLA and its partnership with Music for Relief, a nonprofit disaster relief organization founded by eco-friendly rock band Linkin Park.
Brian Daniels - Brian Daniels is a student, teacher, and aspiring writer based out of Greenville, SC. He is currently a senior at Southern Wesleyan ...
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