Yearly Archives: 2018

ZERH Grand Award Winner

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) was awarded the Grand Winner for Innovation in Affordable Homes (Nonprofit) in the Affordable Homes category by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in 2018. The award recognizes a new home Kalamazoo Habitat completed in the Milwood neighborhood. Grand Winners represent the top entries from each of the six award categories previously announced by the DOE, including Affordable Homes (Nonprofit), Affordable Homes (For Profit), Multifamily Homes, Production Homes, Custom Homes (For Buyer), and Custom Homes (Spec). Winning builders provide substantial energy savings, total comfort, healthy living, peace-of-mind moisture protection, enhanced quality assurance, and future-ready construction. Each year, the DOE recognizes the most innovative builders in the country. In 2018, 23 builders were recognized with the award, including Habitat affiliates from Florida and North Carolina. Kalamazoo was honored with the Grand Award, placing them with the five most exceptional builders from the list of 23, including Thrive Home Builders from Colorado, Dwell Development from Seattle, High-Performance Homes from Pennsylvania, and Revive and Philgreen from Colorado.  The sales prices of the projects of Grand Award winners ranged from $400k – $1.7M.  Kalamazoo’s home cost less than $90k to build and sold to a qualified family at an affordable…

ZERH Award 2018

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) has been awarded a 2018 Housing Innovation Award in the Affordable category by the U.S. Department of Energy. The award recognizes a new home in Kalamazoo Habitat completed last spring. The modest three bedroom, 1,000 square foot home in the Milwood neighborhood uses very little energy to operate thanks to some energy efficient features like extra insulation and a compact furnace. The home is also very healthy to live in as a result of “green” materials and ventilation.  The home is ready for solar panels to help offset energy costs should the owner choose to install them in the future, and the home is designed for future accessibility for those with disabilities.  Grand Winners in each category will be announced at the 2018 Housing Innovation Awards Ceremony, Thursday, October 18th at the EEBA Excellence in Building Conference in San Diego, California. Since 2013, the DOE Housing Innovation Awards have honored the very best in innovation on the path to zero energy ready homes by recognizing builders delivering American homebuyers a superior homeowner experience. DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes represent a new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure energy savings, comfort, health…

Habitat’s 206th Homeowner Family Dedicates Home

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 206th homeowner family will dedicate their new home on June 24th, 2018. More than 225 Habitat for Humanity volunteers contributed time and talent to this project, including Habitat’s regular Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday crews. The four bedroom, two bath home was built using advanced construction techniques, added insulation, upgraded windows, and efficient appliances. This creates a comfortable, healthy, durable home for the family that is affordable to maintain and operate. While there is a small increase in cost to build to these efficiency standards, the family can expect to save many thousands of dollars in energy costs over the next 30 years. A no-step entry, wider doors and hallways, and a larger bath were also installed that can accommodate those with disabilities visiting or living in the home. The house will be purchased by a qualified Habitat home buyer who has contributed more than 300 volunteer “sweat equity” hours to help build this home and the homes of fellow Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Habitat for Humanity makes no profit on the sales of its homes and provides a very affordable mortgage. The future homeowner also completed more than 30 hours of MSHDA-approved financial…

Women Build 2018

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s call on women across Kalamazoo to get involved in their community during National Women Build Week 2018  More than 18,000 women construction volunteers unite nationwide to build up their communities with Habitat homeowners Kalamazoo, Mich – For the 11th year, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are engaging women nationwide to work together to build Habitat homes during this year’s National Women Build Week from May 5-13. In preparation for the build week, Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are asking women to get involved by signing up to volunteer and build.] “We’re excited to partner with Lowe’s to educate, inspire and empower women to advocate and help Habitat homeowners love where they live through building or improving an affordable place they can call home,” said Executive Director Charlie Robertson. “We want to engage women of all skill levels to join their friends, families and neighbors to build up their communities and volunteer where women will gain invaluable skills to bring back and use in their everyday life.” “Lowe’s is in the business of helping people improve and maintain their homes,” said Colleen Penhall, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Lowe’s Heroes have…

Habitat’s 205th Homeowner Family Dedicates Home

Habitat for Humanity’s 205th Homeowner Family to Dedicate Home June 10th KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Habitat for Humanity’s 205th homeowner family will dedicate their new home on June 10th 2018. More than 250 Habitat for Humanity volunteers contributed time and talent to this project, working beside the future homeowner family. The house was built by Education for Employment (EFE) students during the 2017-18 school year as part of the EFE Construction Trades program. Volunteers included Habitat’s regular Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday crews, and groups from WMU: Beta Alpha Psi, Lee Honors College, Pi Kappa Phi, FOCUS, Consumers Credit Union, Valley Family Church, MDOT Youth Program, Abraxas, Eaton, Digital Marketing and Stryker. The modest two-bedroom home was built using advanced construction techniques, added insulation, upgraded windows, and ultra-efficient appliances. This creates a comfortable, healthy, durable home for the family that is affordable to maintain and operate. The estimated energy costs are only about $700 per year. While there is a small increase in cost to build to these efficiency standards, the family can expect to save at least $25,000 in energy costs over the next 30 years. A no-step entry, wider doors and hallways, and a larger bath were also installed that can accommodate…

Three Men on a Mission

Brothers Steve and Don Schuiteboer and brother-in-law Dave Kuitert are three men on a mission, literally. Since 1989 when they traveled to South Carolina to help in the wake of Hurricane Hugo, their lives have been focused on helping others. They’ve traveled to the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas numerous times on disaster relief trips coordinated by UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee of Relief. Their next trip is scheduled for spring 2018. It’s something they feel called to do. “God has given us talents and gifts and we have to use them,” Don said. “We need to take those gifts and show the love God’s given us,” Dave said. “We go where we are called. For a while I tried to keep count of the trips we’ve been on but I stopped keeping score. It’s not about the number, it’s about the work we do.” Don, Steve, and Dave heard Habitat’s call about a year ago and started volunteering regularly locally too. The trio, dubbed “The Plainwell Guys” by Habitat’s construction staff, volunteer several days a week, mostly on home repairs. “Dave, Steve, and Don have been an essential part of Habitat’s home repair program. They have worked tirelessly alongside…

WMU Fraternity- Alpha Tau Omega “Campus Campout”

Kalamazoo, Mich. (February 23, 2018) – Members of Western Michigan University’s Alpha Tau Omega (ATΩ) fraternity will camp out for 48 consecutive hours to raise funds for Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, February 26-28 The ATΩ brothers hope to raise $5,000 and are prepared for any weather, they claim, and are ready, if necessary, to be “freezin’ for a reason.” The campout will take place at the flagpoles at the center of campus near the Lee Honors College from noon on Monday, February 26 to noon on Wednesday, February 28. The community can visit the campers, learn more about Habitat for Humanity, and, of course, make a donation.   “Alpha Tau Omega has been involved with Habitat for Humanity with our event Campus Campout for the last 15 years,” said Tyler Hartline, ATΩ’s philanthropy chairman. “We continue to do this event to continue to show our support of Habitat for Humanity and the great Kalamazoo community. As part of the Kalamazoo community, we want to give back and help make this a better place for all. By camping out, we are able to raise awareness about the great work Habitat does for the community.”   “Campus Campout is a great…