Lopez Community Land Trust received the national Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly and a $75,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation to further its affordable housing program.
LCLT Executive Director Sandy Bishop received the award on behalf of the Common Ground neighborhood in Chicago at the Green Build Conference, Nov. 19.
“These funds complement the first net zero affordable housing neighborhood in the State, not only providing affordable, stable, healthy homes, but assuring low energy costs into the future,” Bishop said.
The award is based on LCLT’s fourth affordable housing project, Common Ground, a net-zero energy community featuring straw bale construction with earthen plaster, rainwater catchment, solar hot water, and a grid-tied solar electric system.
“We believe that healthy, affordable homes are the cornerstone of strong families and thriving communities,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “LCLT demonstrates that by following the principles of energy efficiency and using good quality products and finishes, families can reap the benefits of lower monthly utility costs and healthier surroundings. We are confident that the work done by LCLT will serve as a model for all developers.”
The Award of Excellence winners were selected from projects submitted by nonprofit housing developers throughout the country. An advisory committee of experts from a variety of affordable housing, community development, building sciences and environmental organizations participated in the selection process. The committee included representatives of Enterprise Community Partners, Forest Stewardship Council, U.S., Global Green USA, Housing Assistance Council, Jay Hall & Associates, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, NeighborWorks America, Nixon Peabody, Southface Energy Institute, U.S. Green Building Council and last year winners Habitat for Humanity St. Louis and National CORE.
A case study and video about the winning LCLT project can be found at www.homedepotfoundation.org/awards/affordable-housing/winners.html
