Friday, February 26, 2010
STUART, Fla., Feb. 26, 2010 – The groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s three green homes in East Stuart marked several milestones: The first green homes in Martin County and the city of Stuart; the first green build for the local Habitat affiliate; and the first home Leonardo Rodriguez’s family will own.
“We’re really excited about this project. These will be our first green homes, made possible by a grant from the City of Stuart,” said City Manager Dan Hudson at the Feb. 25 groundbreaking. “What we’re looking to do here in the East Stuart community is promote homeownership. Thanks to our partnership with Habitat, it’s becoming a reality for qualified applicants.”
The groundbreaking was a momentous occasion for Rodriguez, a resident of Stuart currently renting an apartment with his son. “It’s a miracle; a dream come true,” Rodriguez said. “I’m the first member of my family to build and own a home in the United States.”
The construction of Habitat’s green homes will conform to environmentally sensitive standards, meeting gold rating requirements by the Florida Green Building Coalition.
“This Habitat project inMartin Countyproves you can build green-certified homes with little to no additional costs,” said Habitat’s green consultant, Kyle Abney of Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Inc. “Green features such as proper orientation, using light interior colors to reflect natural light, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and adhesives, extended overhangs for shade, notinstalling a garbage disposal, using low-flow shower heads, faucets and toilets, and xeriscapingare all being done in this home and can be done in any home.”
Clearing and construction is underway at the Tarpon and Bahama Avenue home sites. The homes will be featured as part of the East Stuart Extreme Makeover on March 13, a day dedicated to cleaning up and making renovations to houses in the community redevelopment area. Habitat’s green homes will be built by the homeowners and volunteers (as are all Habitat homes) and work will continue during the Extreme Makeover as Habitat staffers explain the green mechanics of each home and the benefits of being environmentally responsible.
This project is made possible thanks to the City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency, which provided a $100,000 “green initiatives” grant to help finance the green homes. Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is pleased to partner with Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Inc., Braden & Braden architects and the Houston Cuozzo Group land planners which will provide consultations on the construction of these homes.
To learn more about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, visit HabitatMartin.org or call (772) 223-9940.
About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County
Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to local families who would not otherwise have that chance. The three key criteria necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for families include the need for shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. For more information, call (772) 223-9940 or visit HabitatMartin.org.
