Goodwill® Goes Green for Affordable Housing in Charlotte

Goodwill, Habitat and Lowe's volunteers.In what is believed to be the first such project of its kind in the country, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (NC), Habitat Charlotte and Lowe’s Companies, Inc., are collaborating to transform a vacant home in Charlotte’s Villa Heights community into a model of energy efficiency.

The partnership began when the City of Charlotte donated a foreclosed home to Habitat. The Charlotte Goodwill® reached out to Habitat to explore on-the-job training opportunities for students in its construction services program, and the house provided a good fit. Lowe’s stepped forward to provide a $40,000 grant to supply energy-saving building materials.

With help from volunteers in Charlotte for the 2011 Energy Star Products Partner meeting, a crew began work on Sunday, November 6. Volunteers also distributed weatherization kits and educated neighboring residents about ways to make their homes more energy efficient.

Slated for completion late January 2012, the Goodwill/Habitat ReHouse will offer educational tours to demonstrate practical, affordable ways to reduce home energy costs. When finished, the house will be sold to a qualifying Habitat for Humanity family.

Read more about the project.