It’s happening! Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) recently began construction on its newest home. Situated at the corner of Dwight and Harriet streets in Springfield, the home will have three-bedrooms, one-and-a half bathrooms, and measure approximately 1,430 square feet. Construction of the home will also include several green technologies. When finished, it will be purchased by a family that was selected for the homeownership program last July.
“We are excited to start the Dwight Street project and look forward to having volunteers back out on site with us during construction of the home,” said Aimee Giroux, GSHFH executive director.
KeyBank, an environmental sponsor of the project, recently gifted Greater Springfield Habitat a grant to offset the cost of green building and energy-efficient products. Mass Save, a joint effort between Massachusetts electric and natural gas utilities, and energyefficiency service providers, is also offering an “all-electric” initiative. New all-electric homes that follow certain requirements are eligible for up to $25,000 and technical assistance.
“At KeyBank, supporting affordable housing solutions is core to our community investment strategy and how we help our communities thrive,” said KeyBank Branch Manager Ramon (Tito) Albizu, who leads the bank’s Holyoke branch.
Additionally, James Hardie Industries, a building materials company, has donated soffit, exposed siding underneath a roof’s overhang, and concrete fiber board siding for the new home. Aimee said the product is long-lasting, will protect against damage from extreme weather, and is maintenance free.
Future homeowners, Driss and Majda, said they with their four children are excited about the prospect of a new forever home.
“We applied through your program to get a home so that our children would have a better life,” said Driss, the patriarch who works as a truck driver, while his wife Majda cares for their four young children. “My dream is for my children to be good people and useful to society and do good deeds for the environment and achieve their dreams.”
The construction phase traditionally takes between 18 and 24 months. If interested in volunteering, visit habitatspringfield.org/volunteer
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