USGBC-LI partners with HFHNC to certify their first home

This spring, U.S. Green Building Council Long Island Chapter (USGBC-LI) will present "Energy Day" at the new LEED-certified home in Elmont built by Habitat For Humanity Nassau County (HFHNC). The event will include the installation of the home's solar electric panels which will help the home meet its energy needs. USGBC-LI partnered with HFHNC to complete the home, HFHNC's first LEED certified home and one of only a few certified homes on Long Island. As part of the partnership, USGBC-LI and its members donated advice, technical assistance, and documentation of credits for LEED certification. By building such an affordable home with LEED certification, both organizations hope to demonstrate to homeowners across Long Island that both affordability and environmentally conscious home building are not mutually exclusive and are attainable anywhere with focus and effort. The homes built by HFHNC cost $140,000 to $170,000 to build including the purchase of land. The biggest challenge is finding affordable land in Nassau County. Volunteers do almost all of the construction and the homeowners donate 300 hours of "sweat equity." The compact, 1,200 s/f home is located close to a variety of community services and will feature native drought resistant landscaping, radiant heating, solar electric panels, energy and water efficient appliances and fixtures, and a variety of environmentally preferable building materials and finishes, all which contribute to the anticipated Gold level LEED certification. The project has allowed USGBC-LI members to work on a LEED project which helps them gain experience and, for some, helps them gain eligibility to sit for the new LEED Green Associate exam. Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County (HFHNC), established in 1990, is a local 501(c)3 non-profit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. They are an ecumenical organization that seeks to address affordable housing needs specifically to deserving Nassau County families. Persons of all beliefs are encouraged to join their efforts. HFHNC is committed to the development of communities and the empowerment of families through their housing ministry. They rely on individual, corporations and foundations for financial support and accept government assistance. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. USGBC developed the LEED building rating system, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. USGBC's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. USGBC-LI works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island. For more information on the "Energy Day" event or to get involved with USGBC-LI, contact Erik Heuler, USGBC-LI's LEED For Home Committee Chair at 631-GREEN-LI or [email protected]. To volunteer or get involved with Habitat For Humanity Nassau County visit www.hfhnc.org.