Demand for Environmentally-sustainable Green Homes in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Twin Cities Minnesota (PRWEB) February 09, 2015 -- More Minneapolis green homes are scheduled to be built to the Minnesota Green Communities Standards. City of Minneapolis officials originated a green housing program three years ago to divest north Minneapolis of deserted properties in the community and convert them into sustainable green homes for north Minneapolis residents. Today, the push to gain needed funds is inching the project forward, according to MN Daily's February 4th report.
"We see a higher number of prospective home buyers seeking a home built with measures taken to ensure that leaks in the home are sealed and that the home is tighter in cold weather," says Jenna Thuening, owner of Home Destination. "The City of Minneapolis is in step with the City of Eden Prairie and others who are placing a welcomed emphasis on environmentally-sustainable green homes."
Next step for the City Council is to advance efforts to finance the Green Homes North Program, according to MN Daily's Council Members Approve Funding for Green Homes February 4, article. Primary focus is to build 13 new homes that will be constructed with environmentally-friendly materials. Council members agreed on Friday to allocate over $600,000 to nonprofit and for-profit green housing developers to construct the homes on lots sold by the city in 2015. Building healthier homes that employ eco-friendly construction will not only further a better outdoor environment; it will additionally promote a healthier indoor home environment.
The program started in 2012 with the goal of building 100 houses Ward 2 City Councilman Cam Gordon, who speaks for the University of Minnesota and encompassing neighborhoods, said the program was created to improve the north Minneapolis residential communities within the Twin Cities housing market. The project aims to meet sustainable green home designs and efficient building practices.
“I think in the future, [the green homes] will be an example for the city of what a community can be if it decides to really take green thinking seriously and make it a priority,” said Matt Haugen, the organization’s spokesman.
Mirroring the success of previous green housing projects, talk centers around the new construction of single-family homes and duplexes which will be designed with "green" building principles. The program will help reduced the almost 400 vacant lots that are City of Minneapolis owned in north sector. Replacing them with residential homes will be a boost to the neighborhood.
Bev Scherrer, chair of the Housing Committee for the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council, said the use of construction methods and techniques that have been introduced which are green friendly will be foundational in the project. Mentions were made to using wood flooring rather than plastic tiles, cement board in place of vinyl siding and low-flow showers and faucets throughout the homes. Typically green homes are construction using high efficiency mechanical systems, Energy Star appliances and green lighting.
A few Examples of Environmentally-sustainable Green Homes in the Twin Cities:
- The Hawthorne neighborhood’s EcoVillage initiative - One EcoVillage home was a concept of University of Minnesota students and faculty members and built in 2012. Known as the “NetZero” home, the building is wholly self-sufficient in the area of green energy.
- The Eden Prairie MN Green Homes Development that resides on 8-acres that is located in the southwest corner where Scenic Heights Road and Eden Prairie Road intersect.
- A green home at 5340 West Lake Nokomis Parkway, Minneapolis, MN was a feature AIA of Minnesota home with a specialized wall system for cold climate housing. Pre-Minnesota GreenStar, this house included many green features including an exceptional three-season porch.
"Our robust real estate market in the Twin Cities is ever changing and every real estate buyer is different. One notable difference is the growing interest in healthier home environments," concludes Thuening. "The topic comes up more often during the home buying process."
About Home Destination - Twin Cities Real Estate:
Home Destination offers a loyal and committed real estate professional service that personally handles all of the details of selling or purchasing homes in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Helping all home buyer types, from individuals seeking to buy their first home to individuals purchasing investment properties, Jenna Thuening has the real estate experience and acumen buyers and sellers benefit from. Read more about the Minneapolis Green Housing Program.
Contact:
Jenna Thuening
Web. http://www.homedestination.com
Email. jenna(at)homedestination(dot)com
Tel. 612-396-7832
Jenna Thuening, Home Destinaiton, http://www.homedestination.com/, +1 612-396-7832, [email protected]
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