Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Ask five different people in the building industry what green building means, and you may get five different answers.  Habitat for Humanity International has defined sustainable development, or “green building” as the process of building houses in a way that lessens the detrimental impact on the natural environment.

Beyond having less of an impact on the environment during construction, the results of building green mean a healthier living space, lower utility costs, and a home that is easier and more economical to maintain.

While the concept of green building has become high profile recently, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) has practiced several sustainable development techniques that have been in place for years.

The move towards sustainable development started in the early nineties when TCHFH started building wall panels in the warehouse to reduce cut off waste.  

Even before a home is built, the TCHFH construction team considers the placement of the home to maximize energy efficiency.  “When we look at a site we try to orient the house as best as possible to optimize on day lighting, which adds to energy savings through the winter months by the use of passive solar,” said John Hall, assistant construction manager for TCHFH. 

Other sustainable development techniques include the use of materials that are energy efficient, recycled and/or durable, including: insulated concrete forms; energy efficient windows; glueless laminate flooring; compact, florescent light bulbs; energy efficient appliances, water heaters and furnaces; and the occasional use of cement board siding.  During the 2005-2006 construction season, TCHFH was the second largest builder of Energy Star Homes in the state of Minnesota. 

While industry regulations have driven more for-profit builders to adopt some green building techniques, the very essence of Twin Cities Habitat’s mission has influenced the integration of sustainable development operation wide. 

 “Twin Cities Habitat is considerate of families and the resources that they need when looking at sustainability,” said Megan Dobratz, manager of environmental projects, Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI). 

Sustainable development costs can come with sticker shock.  Some environmentally friendly materials are more expensive, and can present challenges for a nonprofit that struggles to keep building costs low.  But Habitat leaders say it’s a price they are sometimes willing to pay. 

“We want our families to achieve long-term success and have the ability to maintain their home’s affordability,” said Susan Haigh, president of TCHFH.  “The use of energy efficient appliances and durable materials may be a little more expensive on the front end, but they help to ensure affordability for our families in the long run.”

TCHFH strives to improve and expand its sustainability practices, said Hall.  To better manage ground water, the organization is considering expanding its use of rain gardens, and adopting the use of more pervious asphalt.  “This prevents water run-off into the storm water system, and instead allows water to seep back into the ground, and recharges the aquifer,” he added.

Twin Cities Habitat, MEI, LBH Architects, and the researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Cold Climate Housing Department are also putting together plans to collaborate on a demonstration house.  Rather than being a unique one-time initiative, “the goal with the demonstration house is find the best possible sustainable development techniques that Twin Cities Habitat can implement across the board,” said Dobratz. 

The group hopes to break ground on the house within the next year.

Contributed by Sharon Rolenc