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Green building is a comprehensive approach to construction, renovation, and demolition that conserves the earth’s natural resources and protects human health. YouthBuild programs have been building and retrofitting green homes by incorporating techniques that save energy, conserve water and materials, improve indoor air quality, use nontoxic and recycled materials, and use renewable energy technologies in the design and construction of a home. By rehabilitating and constructing affordable homes with green practices, YouthBuild provides homes that have minimal environmental impact, while also increasing the quality of life and providing significant energy cost savings for homeowners—a valuable service for low-income communities.
YouthBuild USA's Green Building Iniative begin in 2005 through funding from The Home Depot Foundation. YouthBuild USA's Green Initiative provided training and technical assistance to over 90 construction and executive staff from 64 YouthBuild programs across the country, produced the green building guide Shades of Green, a resource manual YouthBuild Green Pages, circulated five case studies of YouthBuild green building practitioners in YouthBuild Innovations, and conducted a benchmark survey that collected detailed information on the construction practices of 65 YouthBuild programs.
In 2007, with the support of Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Renewable Energy Trust, YouthBuild USA completed six Green Design Charrettes in YouthBuild programs in Massachusetts to accelerate their green building performance and prepare them to install solar electric systems.
In 2008, the YouthBuild Green Initiative received support from the Walmart Foundation to train staff from YouthBuild programs towards a national goal of building 50 units of green affordable housing while opening up career pathways for YouthBuild graduates in the green industries. Several of the YouthBuild programs we support are in the process of establishing or have established training programs in renewable energy, brownsfield remediation, deconstruction and materials reuse, weatherization and energy auditing, arboriculture and forest management. In 2010, the Walmart Foundation has provided additional funding
American YouthWorks is our primary green building trainer and sponsor of Casa Verde YouthBuild, in Austin TX. The young people of Casa Verde YouthBuild have built over 90 quality homes for low-income families, each receiving a 4-5 STAR rating from Austin Energy’s Green Builder Program. They have been recognized locally and nationally by PEPNet, HUD, Home Builders Magazine, the American Institute of Architects, and NAHB. Also, Casa Verde YouthBuild was featured as a case study in "A Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing: Developers Guidelines for Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Communities" by Global Green USA, which was used at The Home Depot Foundation's Greening Affordable Housing Symposium.
YouthBuild programs have applied many green building practices including the following:
-Home weatherization
-Brownfield and contaminated site remediation
-Installation of solar electric systems
-Storm water management
-Alternative insulation such as cellulose and batting
-Alternative wall structures such as SIPs, ICFs, and adobe
-Sustainable hardscapes and landscapes
-Purchase of locally produced materials
-Waste reduction and material reuse
-Installation of green and cool roofs
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