By Lynn Corrie
Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia realizes the importance of building safe, decent, affordable homes. They also realize the need to build long-term sustainable homes that will provide a good quality of life and save our homeowners utility use and cost.
In 2011, Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia initiated the Energy Efficient Building (EEB) Program for Habitat affiliates in West Virginia. With funding provided by the West Virginia Division of Energy, American Electric Power Foundation and Dominion Resources, Habitat is able to provide energy-efficient building training and technical support and funding to affiliates in West Virginia to achieve energy-efficient homes, including Energy Star-certified homes.
Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program is designed to make it easier for low- to moderate-income borrowers to make the transition from renters to homeowners. It should be noted that Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up, not a handout. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, which Habitat calls sweat equity, into building their home and the homes of others. Homeownership is made affordable through use of volunteer labor, donations and offering a zero percent-interest mortgage. Additionally, by managing the rising cost of utilities for our families by building energy-efficient homes, we make it possible for our partner families to avoid sacrifices and focus on thriving.
Benefits of building energy-efficient homes and Energy Star-certified homes
- Habitat homeowners pay an average of $78 a month in utilities for a 1,200-square-foot home because of Habitat’s building practices and quality craftsmanship
- This means partner families will save an average of $25,000 in utility bills over the life of the mortgage, leaving more money for life’s necessities
- Homeowners collectively yield annual savings of $262,920, or about $840 per family, on their utility bills
- Energy consumption was reduced by 42 percent compared to other homes
- Training courses teach homeowners about the cost of owning a home and the importance of investing in ongoing maintenance to reduce costs and carbon footprints, as well as the operations, proper use and maintenance of all systems in their Habitat home.
Capitol Build
Appalachian Power Company (APCO) joined Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia and Huntington Area WV Habitat for Humanity in celebration of World Habitat Day on Monday, October 6, 2014 to help bring attention to the need for energy-efficient, adequate housing around the world and in West Virginia. The event was called the Capitol Build, and APCO employees and volunteers built the framework of a home according to Energy Star recommendations on the Capitol lawn. The West Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity was on-hand to display and demonstrate the application for testing, which is one of the required tests used in Energy Star certification. The framework was then transported at the end of the day to a permanent location in Huntington.
Huntington Area WV Habitat for Humanity continues their Capitol Build in Huntington with the help of the Hedrick family, who will live in the home; APCO and community volunteers. Kayla Hedrick and her two boys, Joseph and Kaiden, will be moving into the new, energy-efficient Capitol Build Habitat home this spring.
Habitat for Humanity is doing their part to achieve true savings by setting standards and housing guidelines that encourage energy efficiency as a long-term resource. Moves toward energy-efficiency are Habitat for Humanity’s future and it is paying off for families who live on a tight budget.
About the Author
Lynn Corrie is the director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia. A native of Charleston, WV, after a career in advertising and raising two children, she returned home for a change of scenery (and weather) from her life in Chicago.
Corrie earned her degree in visual communications specializing in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She has been featured in the Daily Herald, based in Chicago, and THE quintessential MAGAZINE, highlighting her fundraising and specialized events. Her education and experience have helped to highlight the image of Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia and grow awareness throughout the state.
Corrie looks forward to earning a spot on the Charleston landscape with her organization skills and ability to actively involve local communities with their passions.
When Corrie isn’t busy working with Habitat for Humanity, she enjoys expressing herself creatively, gardening, writing and hopes, now that she is back home in West Virginia, to find more time for kayaking.
