A framed wall is being carried out after being assembled.
Artist rendering of the new neighborhood.
Wendy Irvin is helping make sure the new neighborhood comes together as planned.
Framed walls stack up as work continues through winter.
Assembling walls for the new constructions.
An aerial view artist concept.
Habitat for Humanity is teaming up with Homestretch to create the Depot Neighborhood, a centrally located collection of homes in Traverse City designed for low-income and moderate-income families.
Many people were concentrating on dealing with the raging winter toward the end of 2013, but those involved with Habitat for Humanity of the Grand Traverse Region had reason for quite a sunny disposition.
You see, the end of 2013 saw tangible signs of work on The Depot Neighborhood, a collaborative effort between Habitat for Humanity and Homestretch Nonprofit Housing Corporation, that will be located near the intersection of Eighth Street and Woodmere Avenue in Traverse City. The site is just north of the main branch of the Traverse Area District Library and Boardman Lake, adjacent to the historic Train Depot.
So, even though the weather raged, infrastructure for the future home of 21 families is now in place, and those involved in Habitat for Humanity--which will build 10 single-family homes in the neighborhood, while Homestretch will build duplexes to house 11 families--couldn't be happier.
"It's an exciting time for what promises to be an extremely exciting project for Habitat for Humanity," saysWendy Irving, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse Region. "The infrastructure is in place, and, more than that, walls have been built in an off-site building. Just because the weather isn't permitting us to build outside right now doesn't mean there isn't building being done."
Habitat for Humanity offers its homes to families in the 30-60 percent of the area's median income (AMI), while Homestretch families are in the 60-80 percent range. It is important to note, according to Irvin, that Habitat doesn't just simply give homes to low-income families, but offers what she says is a "hand up rather than a hand out."
"It is a myth that Habitat for Humanity gives away houses to poor people," Irvin says. "Habitat for Humanity offers home ownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional mortgages. They must be employed and earn between 30-60 percent of the AMI, and they contribute 275 hours of 'sweat equity' per single adult, on the construction of their home.
"We don't give away homes to low-income families. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material, and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable."
One of the more innovative ways mortgages will be kept affordable is the energy efficiency of the home. Builder and project manager Ryan McCoon, of Endura Performance Homes, is employing what is called NetZero construction techniques, and is overseeing the vision. This method of building is so energy-conscious, it virtually allows families to operate their homes without energy bills.
McCoon points to state of the art "foundations systems, floor systems, above grade walls, roof systems, windows, special mechanical heating and cooling systems, energy efficient lighting, appliances and fans and a solar energy system that has the capacity to produce $864 per year of free energy."
Projected annual operational costs, says McCoon, are heating ($202), cooling ($43), water heating ($240), lights and appliances ($559) and service charges ($54). Virtually all of this cost can be offset by the $864 in annual solar energy production, making the total annual energy cost to the homeowner an extremely affordable $234.
"The NetZero approach is crucial to keeping the families in the homes and keeping them affordable," says Irvin. "If they're not spending money on energy bills, then that money is free to be spent on mortgage payments and groceries. It's a tremendous part of this neighborhood, and what is going to make it successful."
It may seem too good to be true, but the day is here. It is possible to construct a home that can virtually sustain itself, energy-wise. It's just a matter of being dedicated to that end when the home is being built.
"The Traverse City Depot Project has an inspiring vision of affordable homes that harvest and produce all the energy they need over the course of a year," says Mathew Grocoff, a Net Zero consultant. "It has the possibility of eliminating their energy bills forever."
Affordable mortgages and low energy bills are some of the major benefits Depot Neighborhood families receive. Another is the location of the neighborhood, which is within reach of many of the facilities that make Traverse City such a vibrant city. The families will be included in all that make Traverse City what it is.
"Two grocery stores, six business corridors, more than 10 thrift stores, four schools, the college campus, the library, more than eight city parks, the Civic Center, the TAD Library, the Children's Garden, the TART Trails, Boardman Lake and River, Grand Traverse Bay, and all the National Cherry Festival activities are all within a 15-minute walk of the neighborhood," says Jeffrey Schwaiger, a consultant for the Depot Neighborhood. "And within a 15-minute bike ride, you have another grocery store, five thrift stores, two business corridors, two college campuses, one university center, one career tech center, and many parks."
Yes, winter may have been raging, but as spring warms up and construction becomes more evident on the first three homes, which make up Phase 1 of the construction, it will be a hot time for Habitat for Humanity. And that speaks nothing of Phase 2, which will see four more homes completed by spring 2015, and Phase 3, when the final three Habitat homes will be finished in spring 2016.
Jeff Barr is a freelance writer who has lived in Michigan for 46 years. You can reach Jeff at barrj88@gmail.com.
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