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Contact Jim Beland, COO at [email protected] or Suzanne Feola, Director of Development  at [email protected]

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In 2019, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut (HFHNCC) made a commitment to sustainable homebuilding and set out to build the organization’s first Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH). In June of that year, Habitat welcomed the Walton family to their new zero energy home on Roosevelt Avenue in Hartford. The home exceeded expectations winning the grand prize for the Department of Energy’s Housing Innovation Award and the CT Green Building Council’s Residential Award of Honor. 

After such a successful build, Habitat NCC maintained the commitment to build ZERHs, which has positively impacted local homeowners and has allowed the organization to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s best high performance home builders. 

In September 2022, these efforts were recognized again when Habitat NCC brought home another Department of Energy Housing Innovation Award for affordable construction of 200 Forbes St in East Hartford. Then in December the CT Green Building Council bestowed upon Habitat the Equity Honor Award for construction of the affiliates second concrete home located at 132 Cleveland Avenue in Hartford. 

Through a partnership with National Ready Mix Concrete Association and its “Build with Strength” program, the Cleveland Ave. home was built using donated Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) from Tremco/Nudura and concrete was donated by Tilcon. The house not only met the same Zero Energy Ready certification as 200 Forbes St, but thanks to its durable construction, it was also certified as a Fortified Gold home. This designation is the highest tier recognized by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, which certifies that the house was built to withstand hurricane force winds, torrential rains, and other extreme weather conditions. This level of certification often reduces insurance rates for the homeowner and provides a physically stronger home.

Together these two award winning homes highlight the type of construction Habitat NCC strives for every day. Building homes to achieve these high-level certifications is not only a necessary step to adapt to our changing climate, but also guarantees an affordable and comfortable home and a safe future for Habitat families.

To learn more and take a tour of our award-winning homes visit: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/doe-tour-zero
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzRCt6
 

3. Veteran Build Capitol Avenue Project Close-out- Kris, Len and Tracy

Historic Home Revitalized for Veteran Family 

In 1890, a beautiful brick Victorian home was constructed at 315 Capitol Ave in Hartford. Over the past 132 years a lot has changed in the world including the surrounding community and maintenance of this once vibrant home. Left vacant and blighted, the home was purchased by Emanuel Lutheran Church in hopes of creating a welcome entrance to their ministry, but the historic nature of the home prevented demolition. That’s when Emanuel and the surrounding Frog Hollow community brainstormed how best to restore this historic home and decided to reach out to Habitat for help. “It presented a great opportunity for us all to partner together,” says Tracy Thomas, Family Services Director. “We get to revitalize this incredible home and support a family thanks to the involvement of the Frog Hollow community.” 

After extensive planning, remediation work, and interior demolition of the old plaster, volunteer work could finally begin. Through the Summer and Fall of 2022, volunteers worked diligently reframing interior walls, supporting floor joists, installing windows, insulating, painting, and flooring in order to create a fresh modern interior. All the while contractors repaired and replaced the roof, repointed brick, installed all new electrical, plumbing, and heating throughout the home. “The exterior of the home maintains all its original charm, but inside you can enjoy modern day comforts,” says Len Turpin, Rehab Project Manager. “I’m really proud of the volunteers who made this all possible.”

That pride is carried over to our selection of the prospective homeowners as this home has been designated for a Veteran family – and thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, sponsors, homeowners, staff, donors, and the City of Hartford, this project revitalizes a home that had been forgotten about and was an eye-sore among the city’s brilliant architecture.  

By revitalizing this home, a first-time homeowner will now be able to be a part of the vibrant Frog Hollow community and own a piece of Hartford history.  

Photo Options: 

(Front of 315 Capitol Once completed TBD) 

HABITAT IN THE NEWS: 

Habitat for Humanity North Central Connecticut receives Department of Energy Housing Innovation Award

News Coverage of our Groundbreaking Ceremony-October 4, 2022 on:

• Fox 61
• NBC Connecticut

December 14, 10:00 am- Rainbow Road, Windsor, Open House

Habitat for Humanity of North Central CT Receives

2022 Department of Energy’s Housing Innovation Award

HARTFORD, Sept. 22, 2022 – Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut (HFHNCC) has been selected as a winner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2022 Housing Innovation Award Competition for the Affordable Homes category. The award was given in recognition of the organization’s certified Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) located on Forbes Street in East Hartford.

This is the second time the organization has been a Housing Innovation Award recipient. In 2020, HFHNCC was the Grand Prize winner of the Affordable Housing – Single-Family Detached category for its Roosevelt Street Home in Hartford – the organizations’ first Zero Energy Ready home.

“Two years ago, we had a goal to build a home that would make homeownership more sustainable and affordable for our clients,” said Karraine Moody, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut. “We achieved that goal, and since then, we have upheld a commitment to build all of our new homes to meet or exceed Zero Energy Ready requirements. This award validates that commitment and fuels our dedication to provide sustainable construction to everyone.”

“As a nonprofit building affordable Zero Energy Ready homes with only volunteers, it is a great honor to win this award and be recognized for our efforts alongside the nation’s best high performance for-profit home builders,” said Kris McKelvie, Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut. “It’s just incredible that we can compete at this level!”

Completed in March 2022, the Forbes Street house is a 1,600 sq. ft., two-story home with four bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. It features airtight construction, triple-pane windows, a ductless mini-split heat pump, ENERGY STAR® certified appliances, and a heat pump water heater. The home also meets Indoor airPLUS and FORTIFIED Roof requirements, is EPA WaterSense and ENERGY STAR 3.1 certified and solar ready.

With a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index of 34, the home is approximately 60 to 70 percent more energy efficient than a typical new home, saving the homeowners nearly $600 in annual energy costs.

Why did Hartford Habitat expand into Tolland County and other FAQs:

• Why did Hartford Habitat change its name Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut?

With our service territory expansion, we needed a name that appropriately reflected our connection to Hartford and Tolland counties as well as a regional approach; we will take going forward.   We feel that Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut (HFHNCC) achieves those objectives and accurately reflects our grassroots base in north central Connecticut.

• What does your expansion mean for activities in Hartford and Tolland County? Will you be relocating your offices?

We are dedicated to serving both counties and are looking to grow our staff to appropriately support our programs and initiatives in these communities.

For Hartford County, we have several home building and renovation projects lined up for 2022 including a ‘Build with Strength’ concrete home, the historic renovation of 315 Capitol Avenue, and four Zero Energy Ready homes in Windsor.

For Tolland County, we are focused on getting the Vernon ReStore operational, introducing ourselves to the community, establishing partnerships, and broadening the scope of our services to be a resource for community members. We have not dedicated any resources to initiating building projects within Tolland County at this time.

Our primary office will remain in Hartford. We will have an office space and dedicated resources for Tolland County operating out of the Vernon ReStore, which is located at 369 Talcottville Road in Vernon.

• What was the reasoning behind the expansion – and why now?

It’s been proven through our decades of home building and community work that individuals and families thrive when they have a home in a safe and stable community.  With the housing affordability crisis continuing to touch every area of our society, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut saw the opportunity and need to expand our footprint and services to include Tolland County.  Our expansion allows us the opportunity to serve more families and to ensure that affordable homeownership is available throughout the state of Connecticut.

• How does the ReStore in Vernon fit into the organization’s plan?

Habitat ReStores are home improvement and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of their retail price. Many who shop our store are new homeowners, DIY’ers, and those looking for great deals or unique finds. The store provides one way for the community to get acquainted with HFHNCC and our services. It will serve as our resource hub in Tolland County, and will eventually help fund homeownership programs in the area. The Bloomfield ReStore has sponsored a number of blighted properties in Hartford County.

• What are HFHNCC’s vision and future goals?

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut’s vision, in alignment with Habitat for Humanity International, is for a world where everyone has a decent place to live. To accomplish this, HFHNCC is looking to move beyond being a home builder only as we are also an equity builder and neighborhood revitalization partner.  Our goal is to have our communities within which we work, and organizations with whom we partner see Habitat as a necessary partner in a community-based, family-centered, catalytic economic strategy.

Gladys Berry

When Gladys met Private Samuel O. Berry Sr. in 1959, less than 2 years after his
discharge from the US Army, she never thought they’d be married for 55 years and have
3 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. At 82 years young, she is aging in
place independently since the passing of her husband and doing well until her recent back
surgery in 2019.  She is not able to step into the tub to shower and is in need of a walk-in only shower that also has grab bars and a seat. With a recommendation from her Hartford HealthCare physical therapist & home health aide, a call was made to our Family Service department. After a home repair evaluation and a completed application, Ms. Gladys will soon be able to access her bathroom and be safe.

Fred and Cheryl Lesniewski
Fred, a Connecticut native joined the US Navy in 1971 as a machinist mate on the
submarine USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) where he had periscope liberty just once! After
4 years of service he returned where he met and married his wife of 41 years, Cheryl.
They purchased their home in 1978 and have lived there ever since. As they have aged
so has the house and with this year, in the midst of the pandemic, they have had several large areas of
repairs (furnace, water heater, failed appliances) that needed immediate attention.

Cheryl and Fred were overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn when Fred, trying to step into
the tub to shower, became a challenge. There are also other bathroom repairs that need to be done,
including grab bar installation and flooring. Cheryl shared her concerns with her good neighbor & friend, Susan, who recommended Hartford Area Habitat. Susan’s son had volunteered with Habitat through their Church and said to give us a call. Through the spirit of friendship and Faith, they will soon have their bathroom repaired and a walk-in shower installed through our Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity’s Brush with Kindness program & partnership with the Home Depot Foundation.

Hartford Habitat for Humanity Selected as Grand Prize Winner in Department of Energy’s Housing Innovation Award Competition

Community partnerships assist non-profit in zero energy building design

HARTFORD, Conn. (October 1, 2020) – Hartford Habitat for Humanity has been selected as the Affordable Housing – Single-Family Detached category Grand Prize Winner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2020 Housing Innovation Award Competition. The Grand Prize award was given in recognition for the work completed on Hartford Habitat’s Roosevelt Street, Hartford home, which was the non-profit’s first Zero Energy Ready Home.

“For our 30^th anniversary, Hartford Habitat had a goal to build a home that makes homeownership more sustainable and affordable for our clients. Thanks to our community partners, including Eversource with their zero energy construction insight and energy efficiency expertise, we were able to make that dream a reality,” said Karraine Moody, Hartford Habitat CEO. “We are honored to receive this recognition and proud to be a part of a community that is dedicated to making sustainable construction available for everyone.”

“From consulting on energy efficiency to on-site volunteering and providing incentives and rebates, we have a long history of supporting Habitat for Humanity organizations and the excellent work they do throughout our region,” said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. “To learn that Hartford Habitat’s Roosevelt Street home has received this national recognition is very exciting and serves as an example of how working together – we can achieve affordable, sustainable housing for all.”

Completed in May 2019, the 1,280 sq. ft., three-bedroom home features airtight construction, high-performance HVAC equipment, ENERGY STAR^®-certified appliances, low-flow fixtures, a heat pump hot water heater, and solar panels. With a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index of -7, the Roosevelt home is approximately 40 to 50 percent more energy efficient than a typical new home, saving the homeowners $4,000 in annual energy costs.

In addition to expertise, incentives and rebates, Eversource donated LED light bulbs and employees volunteered their time to support the home’s construction. Additionally, Eversource-approved contractor Home Energy Technologies, Peter Harding and David Hiscocks, helped educate and guide Habitat staff through the Zero Energy Ready Home requirements.

“We love our home! One of our goals was to become homeowners and have a positive environment for our kids – and we were able to achieve that with this home,” said homeowners Chris and Sharmane Walton. “Having an energy efficiency home has changed our lifestyle a lot, and we are grateful to Habitat, Eversource and everyone who volunteered and dedicated their time, their energy.”

To learn more about Hartford Habitat and Eversource’s partnership and construction of the Roosevelt Street home, please check out this short video.   The specification sheet is available here for download.