Glendale's Green House
A successful partnership using public and private funds
A Glendale neighborhood in the Ocotillo District was transformed over the course of two weeks in the fall of 2008. A formerly vacant lot, at 54th Avenue and McLellan, became the site of a “green” home for a deserving family through a unique partnership between the city, Habitat, and the Norton-Ramsey Community Services Foundation.
The City of Glendale, through their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by the Community Revitalization Division, acquired the property and transferred it to the Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona on this property. This home was built for the Acosta family by volunteers from the Arizona Foursquare Churches and made possible by generous contributions from Jenny Norton, Bob Ramsey and Western Refining. After agreeing to underwrite a portion of the building cost, Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey provided additional funding for the extra expenses related to building this home LEED certified. They also supported the creation of “Home Sweet Home,” a half hour program for Glendale 11, the city’s cable station, on the construction process (Glendale 11’s TV guide can be found by clicking here).
The project started when Arizona Foursquare Churches approached Habitat about building their sponsored home “green”, but they didn’t stop there. In a collaborative effort, this partnership knew they were on to something even better: “LEED Certified” with the possibilities of achieving a Platinum Level. In addition, this house brought together other businesses--each made a significant contribution including: Schaefer Construction Company, T & T Concrete Contractors Inc., Waste Management of Arizona, Whirlpool, BEST Landscaping, Alliance Plumbing, Sharp Drywall, and Square Care.
About Platinum Level Building
Only 140 Platinum Level homes have been built and registered across the U.S. Another 749 Certified, Silver and Gold homes are also registered. The Glendale home will be the third Platinum home and the first “Affordable Housing” Platinum Level home in Arizona.
LEED, the Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED certified buildings use key resources more efficiently when compared to conventional homes or buildings which are simply built to code. LEED certified buildings are healthier living environments, which contributes to higher productivity and improved health and comfort.
These benefits do not come without a cost, however. Green buildings can cost more both to design and to construct when compared to conventional buildings. However, the savings for the homeowners are both immediate and measurable, especially with water and energy consumption.
The LEED program is designed to require third party validation to verify “green” construction. Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona is proud to distinguish themselves through their upcoming platinum build. Now as official members of the USGBC, Habitat Central Arizona looks forward to future building sites implementing LEED build practices.
Glendale 11 TV Earns Emmy Award For Best Environment Program
The station earned this prestigious award in the Best Environment Program/Special category for “Glendale’s Home Green Home,” a program about Glendale’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build the first platinum level LEED home in the state of Arizona.
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Watch clip online
Photo Timeline
Oct. 11, 2008 Dedication Event
Interior touches: It’s a little more than one week on the build and already the focus has become the inside of the house. The volunteers are making sure every detail is attended to before the dedication on Saturday, and even added a beautiful chandelier as a finishing touch.
10/03/08
Exterior prepared: Volunteers continue to assist in getting the house ready for the stucco application, which is scheduled next. The home will be special for many reasons, but it also will be unique because it is expected to reach the Platinum level of LEED certification, which will demonstrate that environmentally sustainable construction is possible when building an affordable home.
9/30/08
A home emerges: Just three days later and a home is taking shape quickly. Everyday the volunteers have been on the site to build along side Habitat staff and several contractors, who make sure the work is completed in a licensed way. Glendale has a strong history and partnership with Habitat as more than 40 homes have been built in the city to benefit low-income families.
Wall-raising ceremony 9/27/08
The next day: It was a special day today at 6601 N. 54th Ave. Habitat hosted a “wall raising” ceremony to celebrate the start of the two-week blitz build that will result in a new home for the Acosta family. The event included volunteers from the Arizona Foursquare Churches, who are donating the labor to build the home, along with many generous sponsors who have given materials to the project. Also on hand were Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Ocotillo District Councilmember David Goulet. Everyone in attendance was asked to sign the walls to give a special, personal message to the Acostas, who have lived for the past nine years in public housing managed by the city’s Community Housing Division.
