EPA Recognizes Dallas Habitat for Humanity and Dallas Sustainable Skylines Initiative
EPA is recognizing Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity (DAHFH) and Dallas Sustainable Skylines Initiative (DSSI) for building 40 energy-efficient homes. The organizations found innovative ways to provide quality housing using standardized construction templates while working under a tight budget. DSSI paid for energy-efficient upgrades in the homes.
DSSI partners Texas A&M University, Energy Systems Laboratory and TexEnergy Solutions conducted a study to gauge energy savings and cost-effectiveness the efficiency upgrades would provide. The results showed that the families will use 10-12 percent less energy for three bedroom homes and 21 to 22 percent less energy for two bedroom homes when compared to the standard building code in effect at time of construction.
The homes, located in Frazier Courtyard in Dallas are part of DSSI’s Affordable Green Homes Initiative that began in 2008. The homes were among the first Habitat For Humanity homes in the country built to LEED Silver standards, the U.S. Green Building Council’s certification for environmentally friendly projects.
On Dec. 11, 2010, DAHFH, DSSI, EPA, Chase Dallas, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC) and JCPenney unveiled the final five homes to the Frazier community in the Fair Park area of Dallas. The celebration “Look Who’s Home for the Holidays” marked the culmination of the public and private sector joint venture for sustainable housing.
The Dallas Sustainable Skylines Initiative is a voluntary partnership between the City of Dallas, EPA and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCG) to promote sustainability and air quality improvements.