At Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, our mission is to create safe, stable, and healthy homes where families can thrive and communities flourish. Building net zero homes is an extension of our commitment to sustainability and equity. We believe everyone deserves a home that supports financial stability, health, and well-being. 

Our dedication to zero energy building aligns with our goal of ensuring that every home we construct offers lasting value to families, the community, and the planet. By integrating zero energy principles into our designs, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint while addressing the need for affordable, energy-efficient housing.

As Vice President of Construction, I led the Cedar Townhomes project from conception to completion, ensuring these homes met net-zero energy standards within the constraints of affordable housing. I worked closely with our design team to develop solutions that optimized energy efficiency—such as advanced insulation, high-performance windows, and renewable energy sources—without sacrificing affordability.

By building net zero homes, we not only meet the need for affordable housing but also create healthier living conditions. Housing is a critical social determinant of health, and by providing stable, affordable, and healthy homes, we contribute directly to better health outcomes for the families we serve. With an affordable mortgage and low utility costs, Habitat homeowners can save, invest in education, and prioritize well-being.

The Cedar Townhomes site is special because it represents a model for the future of affordable housing—homes that are not only affordable today but will remain affordable in the long term through minimized energy costs. The townhomes are designed with shared walls between units, significantly reducing energy consumption. Efficient designs reduce the envelope area enabling us to enhance insulation values and achieve superior air sealing, making it possible to install a more cost-effective PV system to offset the annual energy consumption.

One of our main challenges was balancing high-performance standards for net-zero energy with the tight budget constraints of affordable housing. This required innovative thinking and a strong commitment to our mission. Educating homeowners on using and maintaining their high-efficiency systems was also crucial to maximizing comfort and savings. Despite these challenges, the project exceeded our expectations, proving that affordable, sustainable housing is achievable and can serve as a blueprint for future developments.

In showcasing the Net Zero Cedar Townhomes on the Go Zero Tour, we hope to inspire others to think creatively about how to bring the benefits of zero energy building to all communities, especially those most in need. This project is not just about building homes; it's about building a more sustainable and equitable future.