All-Electric Homes: Homeowner Survey Report

The goal of this project is to realize the potential of all-electric homes for low-income first-time homebuyers who are working with Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the state of Massachusetts. Habitat for Humanity affiliates build dozens of new homes each year and building practices vary from affiliate to affiliate. This survey asks questions of current Habitat homeowners in all-electric homes on the following topics:

  1. Equipment usage and maintenance, including basic knowledge of their systems and overall satisfaction
  2. Energy costs, including the presence of solar or enrollment in subsidized utility programs
  3. Education provided by Habitat during the construction and early stages of life in their all-electric home

Twenty-nine current Habitat homeowners completed this survey, representing at least 12 different towns in Massachusetts (not all homeowners provided address information). This project was made possible through funding from a MassCEC EmPower grant.

Homeowner-survey-report-finalDownload

PVHH wins Design of the Year

Sometimes, less is more. Pioneer Valley Habitat’s design of a “big enough” house is making homeownership more accessible and affordable for families with this build in Northampton, and it was recognized by Habitat for Humanity International as Design of the Year at the 2021 Habitat House Design Contest. PVHH partnered with local architecture firm, Simple City Studio, to design a single-story, one-bedroom home that maximizes its square footage with an open living and dining area.

“This design focuses on the Habitat value that everyone deserves a decent place to live. By building small, simple, energy efficient homes, that’s one way of achieving that vision.”

Megan McDonough, Executive Director, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity

PVHH home wins Best In Sustainability

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity’s house at 1 Garfield Ave. in Florence was recently recognized by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) with the Best in Sustainability award at the 2020 Habitat House Design Contest. As a contest winner, Pioneer Valley Habitat will receive a grant from Habitat for Humanity International to continue the affiliate’s work building affordable homes in partnership with local families in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Every year, the contest recognizes Habitat for Humanity affiliates who exemplify the Habitat commitment to “high-quality housing that is safe and affordable for the long-term, as well as strategies that advance shelter technology toward building more and building better.” Pioneer Valley Habitat’s build was chosen from among 100 submissions for exemplifying a sustainable approach to affordable housing that can be replicated by other Habitat affiliates.

1 Garfield Ave. was designed by Jones Whitsett Architects, and was completed in 2019. This unique small house project of only 625 square feet cost less than $70,000 in materials.  Well-insulated and powered by the sun, the home is designed for a single adult or couple with potential for the addition of a second bedroom. With a HERS index rating of 8 the home is anticipated to cost only $238 a year in utilities.  JWA worked with PVHH as a part of our firm’s commitment to dedicate 1% of our professional hours to pro-bono work in our local community. Designer Molly Clark and Principal Dorrie Brooks led the project, creating a set of documents expressly designed for non-professional builders and volunteers; documents which are now available to other chapters of Habitat for Humanity International.

“Our local communities in the Valley are facing a critical shortage of affordable housing that has been growing more dire every year. Our firm volunteered to design the project and brought our entire staff out to do a Team Build in order to learn what we could from Habitat about efficient home construction.  We know it’s going to take new models of design, financing and construction to achieve the volume highly sustainable small homes our neighbors needs to thrive.” – Dorrie Brooks, Principal, Jones Whitsett Architects.

1 Garfield Ave. is also the pilot home for Pioneer Valley Habitat’s Big Enough Project, funded by the Community Foundation of Western Mass. The project aims to revolutionize how we think about homeownership in Franklin and Hampshire counties by advocating for and building simple, durable, and affordable small homes. Pioneer Valley Habitat has since completed three other “big enough” homes and more are in progress; all have a goal of utilizing innovative building techniques to maximize energy efficiency, preserving long-term affordability for homeowners by lowering operating costs.

To learn more about 1 Garfield Ave. and the Big Enough Project, visit www.pvhabitat.org/big-enough, read the 2020 Big Enough Report, or watch the foundation-to-finish documentary.

 

About Jones Whitsett Architects

Jones Whitsett Architects provides comprehensive design services in education, housing and civic architecture.  With over 36 years of experience, a talented staff of architects and a commitment to ethical and sustainable design, JWA is well-known for its work in public architecture projects throughout Western Massachusetts. To learn more, visit www.joneswhitsett.com.

2020 Housing Innovation Award

We’re excited to announce that PV Habitat has been chosen as a 2020 winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Housing Innovation Awards for our modular project, built in coordination with VEIC and Vermod. As one of three Habitat affiliate winners in the Affordable category, we are thrilled and honored to be a part of the movement for energy-efficient, net-zero ready affordable homes, and hope to continue to see it grow! Special thanks, as always, to our dedicated teams of volunteers who make these builds possible.

Big Enough: Pioneering the Small Home Revolution in Western Mass

small house with solar panels and ramp
Rendering of future Habitat home on Smith Street in Greenfield, MA

This spring in Greenfield, Pioneer Valley Habitat is planning to break ground on a small 2 bedroom house that is less than 1,000 square feet.  This home will be super energy efficient and have solar panels donated by our friends at PV Squared and cost less than $135,000 for the future homeowner.  Habitat spent $35,000 on the land and is trying to keep costs for construction to around $100,000. But what would it take to build a house that had half the price tag?  Would it need half the square footage?  What other changes would be needed to get our design and construction to $50,000?

In addition to our regular building work, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is going to be asking experts and interested people over the next few months to weigh in on this question.  Can we increase access to homeownership options by building small?  What will be big enough?

Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we work with you to pioneer the small home revolution in western Mass.