For more than 25 years, GMHfH’s goal has been to provide financially needy families with homes that are affordable to purchase, as well as affordable to own and maintain through the use of quality materials and innovative construction techniques. In addition to partnering with the Town of Charlotte, to build their first ever Habitat housing project, GMHfH will work with Efficiency Vermont and Champlain Valley Weatherization Service to make this ground breaking project a reality.

Late last year GMHfH presented preliminary plans for three houses in Charlotte’s west village on town-owned Burns property. The houses would be clustered, leaving one lot open for septic disposal. Two houses would share a driveway. The rest of the lot would remain an open meadow for wildlife.

David Marshall, representing GMHfH said that the building envelopes were designed to “mimic Charlotte’s pattern of historic development,” each facing a different direction so as not to appear as three identical row houses. He also emphasized strides made toward energy conservation in recent construction planning meetings.

A proposal for the second Charlotte GMHfH development came before the Commission in January of this year. It would rest off Spear Street north of Carpenter Road. Allan Jordan, longtime member of the town’s Affordable Housing Committee, proposed sub-dividing 11 acres currently belonging to the Gecewicz family at the former site of Trudy’s Greenhouses. He gained GMHfH’s interest in purchasing part of the property and building four houses over the next three years. The homes would be on level land where the greenhouses stood previously with the current Gecewicz house remaining where it is. Jordan and his GMHfH’s partners are awaiting the Commission’s written feedback.

The third project, also on the town’s east side, is being developed by Champlain Housing Trust. It, too, would contribute energy-efficient affordable dwellings.

Although these homes are still in the planning stages, solar water heaters, triple pane windows, and special insulating techniques may be added to the houses to make them more energy efficient. This is in addition to the design elements created by the architect, Eric Morrow, to make the house qualify as a passive solar home.

In late winter or early spring GMHfH plans to hold informational seminars in our community about this project and it’s innovative green techniques. These events will be open to GMHfH donors and volunteers as well as the general public. Check our website in the coming weeks for more information.

For ways to make your home energy efficient, go to Efficiency Vermont at www.efficiencyvermont.com