A now nationally-expanded partnership will help funnel $30 million to help build environmentally-friendly homes.
The Partners in Sustainable Building will join the forces of the Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International on a national level with the goal of building 5,000 homes that meet Energy Star standards over the next five years.
“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,” Kelly Caffarelli, president of the Home Depot Foundation, said. “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.”
More than 120 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation have been picked for the initial round of grants from the Home Depot Foundation. An affiliate will receive $3,000 for each house built to Energy Star Standards, and could get up to $5,000 for a house built beyond those standards.
The program has its roots in a pilot program between the Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International affiliates. During that pilot program, more than 260 homes were built using green standards.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, building green has a number of economic, social and environmental benefits. For example, it can lead to a healthier lifestyle for a home’s occupants and can lead to lower energy bills.
Over the course of a home’s mortgage, the energy savings attained through green building can help pay off the initial cost. Furthermore, the money donated by the Home Depot Foundation will help encourage such building.
Along with the money for building, grants will be given in order to help host training sessions for Habitat affiliate organizations. Because the money donated by the Home Depot Foundation is distributed annually, each year different habitat organizations will get a chance to apply for the grants.
The Daily Tell.com
