Energy-efficient, sustainable home construction is rapidly gaining momentum in the community development industry, and according to the Home Depot Foundation, NeighborWorks network member, Community Housing Partners, is leading the way.

The Roanoke Lee-Street Project includes many "green" features, such as this rain barrel for water conservation.

CHP won the Home Depot Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing Built Responsibly last month for the construction and design of the Roanoke-Lee Street Project in Blacksbrurg, Va. The Home Depot Foundation presented CHP with this prestigious award, because the development is not only affordable to low- and moderate-income residents, it also embraces energy efficiency and promotes a safe, healthy environment. [Learn more]

“We are honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious award from the Home Depot Foundation. This recognition, and the $75,000 prize we received, will help us to create similar projects in the future for communities throughout the southeast,” said Janaker Casper, president and CEO of CHP. “It is rewarding to be recognized for a job well done, and to know we have made a positive impact on our social and physical environment,” Casper stated.

“NeighborWorks America congratulates CHP on this achievement and on being a leader insustainable building practices thatbring the benefits of these designs - more healthy,energy efficient, and waterconserving homes - to low- and moderate-income families." said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “We also wish to thank The Home Depot Foundationfor being in the vanguard of promoting sustainable design for affordable housing.”

The Home Depot Foundation honor follows other national awards already given to CHP for the Roanoke-Lee Street Project. It also won the 2007 ENERGY Star® Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing, and the James River Green Building Council 2007 Go Green Award.

“Greening” affordable homes, such as the Roanoke-Lee Street Project, is moving to the forefront of planning and development thinking today, according to James Ruhland, project manager for Community Design Studios, CHP’s regional design firm that worked on the award-winning project. “There’s a growing consumer demand for green building. Energy costs are not what they used to be,” said Ruhland, who added that he predicts sustainable design will be incorporated into building codes in the coming years.

Indeed, industry experts are quickly realizing the numerous benefits of building structures that are environmentally responsible. New technologies are allowing housing designers and developers to construct buildings in a manner that conserves natural resources, reduces energy and water consumption, minimizes solid waste going to landfills, and improves indoor air quality.

CHP’s Roanoke-Lee Street Project boasts many of these green features. Completed in 2006 and consisting of 14 units, this development features high efficiency appliances and windows, low VOC paints and finishes, fiber cement siding, rain gardens and the use of native landscaping. Marrying sustainability with affordability, the Roanoke-Lee Street Project homes are also restricted for sale to first-time homebuyers earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income. CHP is planning six similar residential properties in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia.

“The Home Depot Foundation is proud to be a founding partner of CHP because they design and build healthy, affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families,” said Home Depot Foundation Executive Director Kelly Caffarelli, who presented the award to CHP on Nov. 7 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago, Ill. “By forming a partnership with CHP, we are furthering our shared mission of improving the health of local communities,” Caffarelli said.

Other partners in this project include: Homebuyers and community members; the Town of Blacksburg; Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises; VA Department of Housing and Community Development; VA Housing Development Authority; Housing Assistance Council; Enterprise; and NeighborWorks America.