GreenSage E-zine 06/2008

Arkansas' Argenta CDC Achieves LEED for Homes Gold

Argenta Community Development Corporation (CDC) has achieved a LEED for Homes Gold certification rating for four green homes in its affordable housing construction initiative, Building Green. This will be the first residential structure in Arkansas to earn a LEED designation. Four more homes are scheduled for construction and certification later this year.

Launched as a pilot program in 2005, LEED-H® is a green home ratings system with rankings from certified to platinum that assures residents that their homes are designed and built to be energy and resource efficient and healthy. According the U.S.G.B.C., at press time, there are 174 projects across the U.S. involved in LEED-H®. Of these projects, 21 have earned gold status while 19 have garnered platinum.

“Building Green is a highly successful development that represents a new era in our construction practices, integrating affordable housing with environmental sustainability,” said Brad Williams, Argenta CDC executive director. “Coupled with providing quality homeownership opportunities for low to moderate income families, we have designed homes that can ease our buyers’ utility burden. We understand that energy costs take an even greater percentage of the monthly budget for many families that we serve. The CDC feels it is part of our mission to build homes that will be affordable to buy and affordable to live in.”

All Building Green homes meet the rigorous Energy Star® US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for energy efficiency and are at least 30% more efficient than traditionally built homes. Some of the energy saving amenities are gap-proof insulation, tight air and duct sealing and higher efficiency heating and cooling unit. The insulation, called structural insulation panels, ensures more even temperatures throughout the house and results in a quieter, more comfortable home. Additionally, the tight construction helps reduce the stress on the central heating and air system, helps prevents drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests and to ensure better indoor air quality. The use of compact fluorescent bulbs in lighting fixtures, energy efficient windows, ventilation fans and low flow faucets will also contribute to reduced utility bills.

Additionally, LEED-H® requires that residents are trained on how to maintain their homes. Argenta CDC has written and will provide all new green homeowners with a manual that offers maintenance tips and resources along with a “green” basket of sustainable household products and other resources.

The Building Green homes are 1300 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room/dining room combo, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry room and a privacy fence. They are located in North Little Rock’s Holt Neighborhood, an area where the organization has invested over $2 million since 2001 in revitalization efforts that include rehabilitations and new constructions. The homes are priced at $96,500 and have subsidies for qualified borrowers.

Also this year, Argenta CDC will expand its sustainable construction practices into market rate condominiums. Located in the historic Argenta district, the CDC will develop two condominiums that will have several sustainable amenities that will meet Energy Star guidelines. Each home will be 2647 square feet and feature four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, garage, dining room, great room, loft, game room and kitchen. The units start at $225,000. The homes will be located within two miles of many entertainment venues, restaurants, downtowns, trolley lines, businesses, police and fire stations and libraries.

For more information about the homes or the Building Green initiative, please contact 501-374-0622.