Sustainable Practices

Building stronger communities responsibly

Habitat Kent Veteran Program

Empowering our Veteran Community

Beyond the Home

Sustainable practices at Habitat Kent means going beyond the four walls of a home to reach the critical aspects of a sustainable life—health, affordability, and access.

Stronger homes build stronger futures

Going the extra mile
to make an impact.

High-Performance Construction: Building to the highest standards of energy performance construction to create healthy and sustainable homes, communities and families.

ReStore: Diverting waste from the landfill and providing financial support to Habitat Kent’s mission through the selling of donated affordable home improvement products to the public.

Homes and Neighborhoods: Educating and empowering Habitat Kent homeowners and neighbors to strengthen the place they live.

Financial Model: Being fiscally responsible with time, talents, and treasure to ensure the long-term stability and impact of the mission of Habitat Kent.

Energy Efficiency

At Habitat Kent, building energy efficient homes allows our homeowners to live in a healthy environment, save cost on utilities, and age in place.

LEED Certification

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.

Indoor airPLUS

Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.

Energy Star

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program that helps organizations save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.

Building Materials

No OR Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) products to help maintain healthy indoor air quality this also includes water sense appliances and Energy Star fixtures & windows

Process

Habitat Kent takes a holistic approach to our build process. We take a look at the materials, processes, and site in order to come up with the best sustainable package we can develop.

Listening to Neighbors

Before any substantial development project begins, Habitat Kent makes sure to listen to the needs and desires of neighbors and community stakeholders. Through building long-term relationships and asking questions, Habitat Kent is able to help meet the needs and dreams of the communities they serve.

Energy Efficient Building Techniques

Foundations: We use a Precast foundation from GLSW that uses less than 70% of the concrete of a traditional poured wall.

Framing: We use AFT methods and are looking to become even more efficient in the future by panelizing our walls.

Wall and Roof Assembly: We focus on saving energy rather than creating energy. We do this by making tight wall assemblies using various air sealing strategies as well and a thick thermal barrier to create a tight and warm house.

Mechanical Energy Recovery: Ventilators in each house to provide balanced ventilation for healthy indoor air.

High-Performance Construction

Long-Term Impact

We do everything with a long-term view of housing, neighborhoods, and community development. By working towards sustainable goals we can create a stronger future that ripples throughout all aspects that make up a safe, stable and healthy community.

Cost Saving for Homeowners

On average, Habitat Kent’s LEED certified homes save homeowner’s $67.12 per month over an average Michigan home. That’s’ $805 saved annually!

Waste Diversion

Because of ReStore donations in Kent County, we’ve diverted nearly 8 million pounds from the landfill.

Innovation

We always seek to innovate in bringing people together to build safe, stable, and affordable housing. A say “yes” mentality and open collaboration process have pushed the organization to be one of the most respected affordable developers in the country.

Pre-Fabrication

Habitat Kent is beginning to experiment with pre-fabrication building techniques to create more efficient building channels and a better volunteer experience.

Educating the
next generation.

At Habitat Kent, we believe sustainable practices are only practical when they are passed down to the next generation of builders, volunteers, leaders, and homeowners. We do this through a wide variety of education programs and partnerships engrained in the DNA of our mission.

Homeowner Education: Habitat Kent homebuyers go through a series of education courses before purchasing their home. This includes courses on construction, mortgages, financial stability, gardening & lawn maintenance, and home maintenance.

Education Partnerships: Habitat Kent partners with Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy of Design & Construction and Grand Rapids Community College to allow students to get hands-on experience building a LEED-certified home.

Volunteer Training: Every volunteer on a Habitat Kent build site learns about innovative green building practices and how a LEED-certified home creates safety and stability for future homeowners.

Industry Leaders: By being a leader in the green construction industry, Habitat Kent is able to educate contractors, staff, and other Habitat affiliates across Michigan the latest and best practices to building safe, efficient, and affordable homes.

Recognition of Sustainable Practices

-Since 2007, every new home built by Habitat Kent has been LEED certified

-As of June 2017 Habitat Kent has built 158 total LEED Homes. This includes:

1 LEED Certified Home
62 LEED Silver Homes
86 LEED Gold Homes
8 LEED Platinum Homes
85 Energy Star Certified homes
32 Indoor Air Plus Certified homes

-U.S. Green Building Council member since 2008

-2011 LEED for Homes Outstanding Program Commitment

-Built first LEED Gold Version 4 standards from the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC in Michigan and Midwest

-2015 Nomination for West Michigan Business Forum Sustainable Business of the Year Award

-2015 Better Business Bureau Torch Award Finalist

-Selected affiliate to take part of the Habitat International neighborhood revitalization initiative

-Michigan Affiliate of the Year (2007, 2014)

-Habitat for Humanity International 2013 Affiliates of Distinction Honorable Mention

-2013 EPIC Non-profit of the Year

-Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center Work Based Learning Center Site of the Year (2013, 2016)

-Campus Compact award for partnership with Grand Rapids Community College

-Finalist for the Good Neighbor Award through the Neighborhood Business Awards

-The State of Michigan Disability Council awarded Habitat Kent the “Corrie Bair Inclusive Communities Award for Housing” for building homes with “ZeroStep” entry

-“Approved Environmental Group” by 1% for the Planet

-Habitat Kent received the award of “Deal of the Year” by Grand Rapids Business Journal

-Sam Mompongo Award of $1 million in tithe contributions

-Completed neighborhood revitalization Building Blocks Campaign of $5 million that served 200 families in two years.

-Served more than 600 families in Kent County

– Veteran Non-Profit of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year award from the “2015 WGVU I Have Made a Difference Awards”

-Neighborhood Business Awards 2015 Best District Promotion (Granville Avenue Neighborhood promotion funded and support by Habitat Kent neighborhood revitalization)

-2017 USGBC Affordable Developer of the Year

-In 2017 Habitat Kent earned the Institutional Challenge to Achieve Racial Equity (ICARE) credential from the Partners for a Racism-Free Community

FAQs

Does Habitat Kent have licensed energy-efficient builders on staff?

Habitat Kent currently has a licensed energy-efficient builder and architect on staff that helps guide and manage all the certification and building processes to ensure all homes are built to the highest possible standards of efficiency.

How can I get involved?

If you’d like to get involved with Habitat Kent’s sustainable practices, please contact Brandyn.

How can I learn more about Habitat’s financial sustainability?

Contact Wayne!

How much do Habitat Kent homeowners save on their energy bills?