Home Depot Foundation Announces Winners

The Home Depot Foundation announced the winners of its inaugural

Awards of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly, “in recognition of exemplary projects providing affordable housing that is efficient, durable, safe, and healthy,” during the U.S. Green Building Council Greenbuild conference. The Home Depot Foundation is online at www.homedepotfoundation.org.

•Housing Vermont, a nonprofit syndication and development company based in Burlington, Vermont, won the Rental category for its involvement in the LEED^® Certified Waterfront Housing project on the shore of Lake Champlain in Burlington. The 40,000 ft² (3,720 m²), 40-unit, mixed-income project was designed by Gossens Bachman Architects, based in Montpelier, Vermont. Housing Vermont is online at www.hvt.org.

•First Community Housing, a San Jose, California, nonprofit organization that designs, develops, and manages affordable housing, was recognized as runner-up in the Rental category for Murphy Ranch, a 100-unit affordable housing project in Morgan Hill, California. The project, designed by Fisher Friedman Associates, AIA, of Emeryville, California, was designed to exceed Title 24 energy standards by 25%. First Housing is online at www.firsthousing.org.

•Rural Development, Inc. (RDI), based in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, won the Homeownership category for its Home Ownership Program, which provides assistance in obtaining financing, purchases land, and constructs and renovates homes. All RDI homes incorporate passive solar heating, efficient boilers, water-saving fixtures and landscaping, and high-quality insulation and ventilation. All are Energy Star^® rated. RDI is online at www.ruraldevelopmentinc.org.

•Claretian Associates, Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois, was the runner-up in the Homeownerhsip category. Claretian builds homes and apartments for low-income and middle-income South Chicago residents. The organization also offers credit counseling referrals and financial education for prospective homeowners and renters. Claretian is online at www.claretianassociates.org.