Press Release

Sensible Solar Home Project – Open House
Wednesday, March 31, 2010; 1:00 – 4:00PM
645 - 2nd Street, Willows, CA 95988
Contact: Roger Hart at rhart@3coreedc.org
530-893-8732 ext. 211
http://sensiblesolarhome.blogspot.com/

Invitation
The Sensible Solar Home project team invites the public to attend an open house on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 from 1:00 – 4:00PM for the newly completed Sensible Solar Home project.

Background
For the past several months Glenn County HRA staff, 3CORE EDC staff, consultants, and the Planning and Public Works Agency have been working on the development of an affordable Green Home Build Project. The purpose of the project is to build a modest home utilizing green construction technology. This approach to construction is designed to minimize the impact on the environment, reduce energy and water use, and create a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment. The home is modest in size in order to provide affordability for first time home buyers. The project utilizes existing green design standards and green energy efficiency technology.

Progress to Date
The project team is composed of 3 CORE (previously known as Tri-County EDC) staff, who have arranged for low interest construction financing; Glenn County HRA Housing Program staff who have prepared the necessary documentation for amending the existing Program Income Reuse Plan to include a First Time Homebuyers revolving account; Glenn County HRA Job Training staff, who are arranging subsidized training for youth and adults to build the home; David Provine, Oak Tree Construction, who has designed and built the home and train employees in green building practices; Glenn County Planning and Public Works Agency staff, who have worked to further develop green construction best practices; and the Glenn County Community Action Agency staff and consultants who are facilitating the overall effort.

The home site is located in Willows (unincorporated area), with construction recently completed. The agreements between the contractor/builder and the HRA WIA Job Training programs enabled youth and adults to be trained on-site for green construction. The update to the Glenn County CDBG Program Income Reuse Plan has been prepared for consideration. (CDBG funds work as a silent second with a local participating bank.)

The Glenn County HRA is working to complete the county’s First Time Home Buyers program which will assist eligible home buyers. This approach reduces risk to the builder and can provide a home for a first time home buyer. The home will also provide a demonstration model for future affordable Green Home Build projects.

See you all there!