HUD, EPA and USDA Recognize Energy Efficient Rural Housing Project

The sounds of hammers pounding, shovels digging, and other construction tasks fill the air in the Crescent Shores Community in Lincoln, DE as volunteers and soon-to-be homeowners pitch in to build their own energy efficient homes. On August 17, 2011, HUD Regional Administrator Jane C. W. Vincent, the Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton joined the construction crew to bring attention to the innovative rural housing development. More than 50 volunteers from ING Direct in Wilmington made up the bulk of the construction crew as part of ING Direct's Orange Days of Giving.

The development includes 10 new homes for families who have never owned their own home. The new homes are being built to meet the most stringent Energy Star standards. The program, called "Self-Help Housing" is operated by the Milford Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) to support affordable housing for low-income families in Delaware.

"We're proud to join EPA and ING Director volunteers in using our muscle to help build a home in Crescent Shores Community," said Vincent. "The energy saving measures in this community are benefits of working with federal partners like EPA and USDA. Together we provide affordable energy efficient homes that add up to savings for the homeowners while making us good stewards of our natural resources and the environment."

HUD awarded $40,000 in HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) funds to the Milford Housing Development Corporation to provide gap financing to increase the affordability of the homes. USDA's Rural Development program has awarded $300,000 to Milford Housing for affordable housing projects statewide, including the homes in the rural Crescent Shores Community. The Self-Help Housing program was created by USDA Rural Development and MHDC is the only grantee in the First State.

"President Obama created the White House Rural Council recognizing the enormous potential in rural America to spur jobs, innovation and local investment," said Garvin. "The work that is being done in Lincoln exemplifies that potential creating safe, healthy and affordable and energy efficient homes."

Under the program, the new homeowners contribute a minimum of 1,500 hours of actual building time, averaging a value of more than $32,000 in sweat equity per home. The homeowners work together and no one will move in until all 10 of the houses are finished. When they are complete, the new residents can take pride in their craftsmanship and their community. They also have gained valuable trade skills that can be taken into the job market.

ENERGY STAR was created by EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to help Americans save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. In 2010, with Energy Star, Americans saved $18 billion in energy costs and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.