Atlanta Habitat builds seven to ten houses on any given Saturday.  Each house is built under the instruction of a professional, paid Atlanta Habitat houseleader who supervises 30-40 volunteers per work day. It takes seven consecutive Saturdays to complete a home. When the volunteers have completed their work, the carpet and appliances are installed, and final inspections take place. The homebuyer family moves in approximately five weeks after the last volunteer workday.

Our Green Building Techniques

Atlanta Habitat is dedicated to green building. Since 2004, we have built to EarthCraft/ENERGY STAR standards, which serve as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes and help homeowners reduce utility bills and protect the environment.

How Does Atlanta Habitat Build Green?

In site planning and design

• Site plans retain as many trees as possible; when trees are removed, stumps are chipped and left as mulch.
• In design, Atlanta Habitat houses are modest, under 1,400 sq. ft., with dimensions planned in increments of 2 ft. for efficient use of lumber.

In waste management

• Walls are built in the warehouse to reduce scrap and to make easier use of cut-offs. Floor and roof trusses engineered to meet construction specifications reduce waste of materials.
• Recycling takes place during and after construction:
  • Untreated wood is chipped for ground cover.
  • Drywall is recycled for use as a soil amendment for turf.
  • Shingles are recycled as a base for construction drives.
  • Fly ash, derived from burning coal, is used as a valuable concrete additive.
  • Metal and drink cans are recycled.

In energy efficiency techniques  

• Houses are caulked inside and out at all joints, plastic is placed below the slab of house or on the dirt in a crawlspace, and ductwork is sealed at every joint.
• Higher-rated insulation and framing techniques and other methods, such as insulating attic pull-down steps, are used to maximize insulation value. Vinyl windows are installed to prevent heat transfer, and the use of Hardee Plank siding improves durability.
• Energy efficient appliances and fixtures include a Whirlpool ENERGY STAR refrigerator in each house, fluorescent lights, and low-flow faucets in sinks and shower.
• For landscaping, Atlanta Habitat seeds the back yard and installs sod in the front only, since seed requires less water, and drought-resistant plants and shrubs are used.
• Atlanta Habitat homeowners are required to complete education classes on energy features, maintenance, and proper use of appliances and fixtures.

Certification and Awards for Green Building

Atlanta Habitat is a leader in environmentally-sensitive building practices for affordable housing. Since 2004, Atlanta Habitat has been certified as an EarthCraft House builder by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Energy Institute.

The construction department builds homes that receive awards and recognition for excellence.  In 2004, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs honored Atlanta Habitat with the Special Achievement in Affordable Housing Design Award, and Southface recognized Atlanta Habitat with the 2004 Non-Profit Builder of the Year Award.