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  • Sustainable Practices

    Building stronger communities responsibly

  • Building for the Future

    Our first all-electric home completed in 2022

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  • Building for the Future

    Our first all-electric home, completed in2022

  • All-electric builds
  • Sustainable Impact
  • High-Performance Construction
  • Education
  • Milestones and Recognition

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.

One of the ways we do this is by implementing green building practices. While all of the homes we’ve built since 2007 are LEED-certified, in the fall of 2021, we took our sustainable building to a new level and completed our first-ever all-electric home (pictured above). During this first Carbon Footprint Build, we also examined the carbon impact of our build process, working with local builders and students, and are eager to share what we learned with the community and continue with more all-electric builds.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Carbon Footprint Builds, and how you can be involved.

Stronger homes build stronger futures

2022 Carbon Footprint Build

Our first Carbon Footprint Build was completed in the fall of 2021. It is the first Habitat Kent all-electric, zero-carbon emissions home.

The 2022 Carbon Footprint Build is an all-electric, multi-family project. In this model, three attached, single-family homes utilize the City of Grand Rapids Zero Lot Line laws which make for more efficient land usage in the city.

The three homes are underway on a previously vacant lot in the Baxter Neighborhood. See the project plans pictured right.

Carbon Footprint Build Sponsorships
Learn about Carbon Footprint Builds : Watch now!

Home Sponsor:

ICF Partners:

Going the extra mile
to make an imapct.

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.

High-Performance Construction

Energy Efficiency

At Habitat Kent, building energy efficient homes allows Habitat 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.

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.

Milestones and Recognition of Sustainable Practices

– Habitat Kent builds the first affordable LEED-certified home in the US

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

-As of June 2022 Habitat Kent has built over 190 total LEED 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 in Michigan and Midwest

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

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

-2017 U.S. Green Building Council Affordable Developer of the Year

-2021 Completed our first all-electric, zero-emissions home

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?

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!

A Home Can Change Lives

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

  • Main Office:

    425 Pleasant St. SW
    Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    (616) 774-2431

  • Main Office Hours:

    Monday – Thursday: 10am – 2pm*

    *Visits at all other times are by appointment only.

  • ReStore South: Division

    5701 Division Ave S
    Wyoming, MI 49548
    (616) 531-4591

  • ReStore North: Alpine

    5920 Alpine Ave NW
    Comstock Park, MI 49321
    (616) 647-9292

  • ReStore Hours:

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • ReStore Donation Drop-Off Hours:

    **PLEASE NOTE: DONATION HOURS CURRENTLY VARY DUE TO STAFFING

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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Interested in this house? Get a pre-qualification letter from a participating mortgage lender participating within our program requirements:

  • Mercantile Bank, Staci Nichols
  • Choice One Bank, Bonnie Potter
  • Mortgage 1, Dan Grzywacz , or
  • Click here to see a list of MHSDA-approved lenders

Veteran Homeownership Application Request

Home Repair Wait List

Group Interest Survey

  • Habitat for Humanity of Kent County provides a variety of volunteer opportunities which can vary depending on the group size, age restrictions, season and general availability. Construction opportunities are full day commitments. Should you prefer a partial day activity or volunteers to work in shifts you will be scheduled for specific tasks or in one of our 3 ReStore locations.
  • Age restrictions apply to certain projects and will be enforced. Most tasks require volunteers to be at least 16 years old. Specific jobs may allow other ages. These restrictions will be indicated by a member of the volunteer services department when a date is offered.
  • Please acknowledge that you understand groups may not be confirmed until 30-60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE AGREED UPON by our volunteer services department. Due to the volume of requests for volunteer opportunities, we will ask that you agree/disagree to the date we offer within a week’s time (unless otherwise noted in our email). This ensures we can look for an alternative date if necessary and place you within a timely fashion.
  • After the completed form is submitted expect to be contacted by a member of our volunteer services department within one week.