AMERICA'S FIRST PATH CONCEPT HOME RECEIVES SILVER CERTIFICATION UNDER LEED FOR HOMES

OMAHA - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification to HUD's first Concept Home. The Concept Home was built through HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program, utilizing advanced housing technologies and innovative residential building techniques.

The Concept Home project, located at 2503 Parker Street in Omaha, was a partnership between HUD and Brighton Construction. The innovative home has received tremendous national attention and numerous accolades from all sectors of the housing industry for its durability, safety, energy-efficiency, style and affordability.

The U.S. Green Building Council is made up of representatives of organizations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible and healthy places to live and work while retaining market profitability. The USGBC's LEED for Homes program is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. A home certified under the LEED for Homes program helps homebuyers easily identify true "green-built" homes.

LEED Homes are third party inspected, performance tested, and certified to be higher-performing than conventional homes. Projects are evaluated within six environmental categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. Brighton Construction Company worked with project manager Newport Partners, LLC of Davidsonville, Maryland on the Omaha Concept home to ensure both LEED for Homes and HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) standards were met.

The 2,000 square foot craftsman-style house located in one of Omaha's dynamic urban neighborhoods, combines dozens of innovative products and systems with traditional design elements to create a comfortable and affordable home. This was accomplished through the support of manufacturers like Masco Corporation and Georgia-Pacific and the generosity of the City of Omaha.

The Concept Home was designed for flexibility (easy to update and expand for different life stages, new owners or
the latest technological innovations); construction efficiency (easy to build and easy to live in) and; sustainability (featuring green, energy efficient products, systems and materials). The Concept Home meets ENERGY STAR™, and Environments For Living® in addition to the LEED for Homes criteria.

HUD's PATH program is a public-private partnership of leading-edge home builders, manufacturers, researchers, professional groups, and Federal agencies concerned with housing. By working together, PATH partners improve the quality and affordability of today's new and existing homes, strengthen the technology infrastructure of the United States, and help create the next generation of American housing. PATH is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Policy Development and Research.

For additional information on the PATH Concept Home including a virtual tour, blueprints, videos and photographs documenting the construction process and the builder's blog, please visit www.pathnet.org. You can also visit www.usgbc.org to obtain additional information on the use of modern homebuilding technology.

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