HUD No. 07-082 Antoinette Banks (202) 708-0685 |
For Release Wednesday June 6, 2007 |
HUD UNVEILS AMERICA'S FIRST EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE CONCEPT HOME PATH
Concept Home represents the New American Dream during National Homeownership Month
Omaha, NE -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the completion of America's first PATH Concept Home featuring more than 60 efficient, sustainable and flexible products and systems all in one affordable home.
"With the PATH Concept Home, HUD has created a blueprint for the future of the American Dream by using innovative housing technologies that support our goals of sustainability, efficiency and flexibility in an affordable home," said HUD Assistant Secretary Darlene F. Williams. "June is National Homeownership Month and we are excited to showcase a home that is affordable to purchase, maintain and renovate as families and their needs change over time."
The PATH program - the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing - is a public private partnership between the U.S. government and America's housing industry that works together to advance the use of technology in the housing infrastructure throughout the country.
Torti Gallas and Partners, an award-winning architecture firm, created the PATH Concept Home Omaha design. It meets the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes, Environments For Living®, ENERY STAR ™ and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Guidelines, The Concept Home plans are available at www.pathnet.org.
"By using building techniques that create better homes faster, and applying cutting-edge technologies for sustainability and efficiency, I can do a better job of providing durable, comfortable and affordable homes," said Fernando Pages of Brighton Construction. "Plus, innovation and vision allow America's homebuilding industry to continually improve our building processes and quality."
The City of Omaha donated the site for the PATH Concept Home. The site, a corner lot nestled among new affordable homes and quaint historic bungalows, is convenient to both downtown Omaha and Creighton University. The neighborhood is also part of broad commercial and residential redevelopment efforts by the city.
"The Concept Home demonstrates how innovative building can create affordable homes," said Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. "The city's many economic development efforts, from our downtown and riverfront redevelopment to projects strengthening our city's neighborhoods and small business districts, serve as an appropriate setting for the Concept Home, HUD's new American Dream."
The PATH Concept Home Omaha will remain open by appointment for public viewings during the month of June. Interested organizations should contact Matt Hawkins at Newport Partners LLC, (301) 889-0017.
Several leading manufacturers have generously supported the demonstration project including Masco Corporation and its subsidiaries, Behr, BrassCraft, Merillat, Milgard, Hansgrophe, Delta, Masco Contractor Services' Environments For Living program, DuPont ™ Building Innovations™, Millard Lumber, Weyerhaeuser, Follansbee, the Metal Roofing Alliance, Seisco, Panasonic, WindsorOne and Chief Architect.
HUD's next PATH Concept Home will be built in Charleston, South Carolina. Concept Home Charleston will continue to demonstrate construction efficiency, flexibility and sustainability while focusing on durability and the ability to withstand everything nature has to offer - like high winds from hurricanes, possible flooding, termites, and a climate with year-round humidity that can lead to moisture and mold problems. All of these challenges make it the perfect spot for the next Concept Home.
For additional information on the PATH program including the Concept Home plans, narrated videos showing key technologies during construction of the Concept Home, an interactive audio tour describing how the 60 innovative products and systems enhance sustainability, flexibility and construction efficiency, please visit www.pathnet.org/concepthome.
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