About homeWord:
homeWORD began as a project of WORD (Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development, Inc.) in 1994. In 1998, homeWORD became its own 501(c)(3) with its own Board of Directors. It formed as a response to the community need for affordable housing and aimed to provide meaningful economic change in lower income families’ lives. After 15 years of operation, homeWORD is a well-established, regionally and nationally recognized affordable housing developer.
As of 2009, homeWORD has completed 10 projects totaling 163 units in Missoula and Billings, and in each project has modeled innovative design and development. homeWORD’s budget has grown from $15,000 and two part-time employees to $700,000 and 11 employees. homeWORD is a first in the state on many fronts, introducing the state to strawbale homes, land trusts, and community-based decision-making through charrettes. homeWORD now operates two homeownership centers in Missoula and Billings to promote homeownership and financial education to lower income families.
Through all of this growth, homeWORD has remained deeply committed to its mission of providing safe, healthy affordable housing using sustainable methods and promoting strong communities through housing counseling and education for those most in need.
homeWORD: • Works to influence policy that promotes housing affordability and educates communities on related social and economic policies. • Practices energy and resource efficiency to ensure long-term affordability and acknowledges the importance of aesthetics in promoting self-respect and empowerment. • Serves those most in need, such as single headed households, persons with disabilities and other minority groups. • Recognizes that access to financial education and housing are two essential steps to economic self sufficiency. • Builds strong partnerships with other non-profit organizations and the private sector to address affordable housing needs in Montana.
Sustainable Practices, Products, & Services:
Sustainability Vision- homeWORD’s holistic approach to affordable housing grew out of the simple notion that you cannot build for the future by destroying the environment. Green building is emerging as an important strategy for addressing the loss of biodiversity caused by the development of housing, long recognized for its taxing consumption of energy and materials and significant production of waste. For example, one quarter of wood harvested in the world is used in the construction of buildings. Overall, construction consumes more than 40 percent of the world’s energy and raw materials and accounts for 44 percent of the waste in our landfills.
Because homeWORD recognizes the intrinsic link between long-term environmental costs, affordability, and community revitalization, it has made a commitment to green building. All homeWORD projects include strategies for resource and energy efficiency, waste reduction, smart land use, sustainable transportation systems, healthy indoor air quality, and community sensitive design. homeWORD’s values demonstrate a belief that achieving sustainability means paying attention to social equity, environmental conservation, and strengthening the local economy. Applying the Vision Each homeWORD project builds on the past experience of the previous projects, and the subsequent green features demonstrate a growing understanding and knowledge of green building practices.
An overview of a few of homeWORD’s past projects illustrates its commitment to environmentally sensitive construction.
Equinox (2009): 35 units of low-income housing located along the beautiful Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana and houses 100% of households below 50% Area Median Income (AMI). All units are designed to be accessible or adaptable, and the overall building and site were designed to meet universal design principles, with a goal of providing accessibility for all.
Southern Lights (2007): 20 units of low-income housing located in the Southside neighborhood of Billings. Southern Lights is located close to the city center and other amenities. The Southern Lights project is designed to provide new low-income housing for families and individuals, while maintaining and respecting the intricate fabric of its community.
Orchard Gardens (2005): 35-units of low-income rental housing on 4.6 acres in Missoula. Orchard Gardens is designed to foster local food security as 2 acres of the property are reserved for community gardens. This project is complete with a community barn, orchards, and a bike trail that connects to the city’s trail system
The Acme (2004): 19 units of low-income rental housing over commercial space in Billings. This historic preservation project utilizes energy-efficient design; sustainable building approaches, and incorporates art into the design.
The Gold Dust (2003): 18 units of low-income rental housing, complete with a 1,000 sq ft community room, workshop for residents, and rooftop gardens. This development boasts sustainable building approaches and houses the largest inter-tied photovoltaic system in Montana.
High Sierra Affordable Housing Venture (2001): 8 single-family homes in Billings sold to households with incomes at or below 60% of the AMI. Homes were built with sustainable methods including stress skin panels, radiant floor heating, and energy-efficient appliances. Through a partnership with the regional Rural Collaborative, homeWORD helped create a second mortgage pool for the low-income first time homebuyers.
Lenox Flats (2001): 10 units of affordable housing, located above 2,400 square feet of commercial space in Missoula. This historic preservation project serves families below 41% of the AMI and helped with the revitalization efforts of downtown Missoula.
Fireweed Court (1998): 12 units of two and three bedroom town homes for low-income households. This project utilizes resource and energy-efficient materials such as recycled pop-bottle carpeting and energy-efficient appliances. It is complete with a strawbale wall and mosaic that acts as a sound barrier to the homes and provides beautiful art on the site. homeWORD received a Fannie Mae Award of Excellence, one of 20 in the nation, for Fireweed Court’s innovative planning and design.
Strawbale Demonstration Homes (1997): 2 demonstration homes built by an all-women construction crew and sold to single parent families earning less than 60% of the AMI. This innovative project established western Montana’s first Community Land Trust and used the site for non-traditional job training for low-income women while creating affordable, super energy-efficient, and elegant homes.
Emma Court Rent-to-Own (1996): Operation of four newly constructed townhouses in a 20-unit mixed income development. Modeling a rent-to-own program, homeWORD has assisted over 20 low-income families as they worked towards self- sufficiency, found stable employment, and transitioned into stable rental housing or homeownership.
Achieving the Vision - homeWORD believes that by developing affordable housing using green building principles, it models appropriate solutions for the construction industry and helps transform the housing market in the Rocky Mountain West. homeWORD is leading the discussion regarding the application of green building principles in the Rocky Mountain West through annual Sustainability Tours in Missoula and working regionally with the Rural Collaborative. The Sustainability Tours, which highlight efforts around Missoula to infuse sustainability into buildings and into the community, attracts a diverse group of people from throughout the region, including contractors, developers, homeowners, renters, seniors and students.
homeWORD also works closely with the Rural Collaborative, a regional housing corporation founded to expand resources for affordable housing in small cities and rural towns in the West. As a founding member, homeWORD is advocating to incorporate green building criteria into the Rural Collaborative’s Loan Fund. homeWORD’s vision also includes promoting policy and regulatory reform to state agencies that encourage the adoption of green building concepts in their affordable housing grants and loans. Through applying green building principles to affordable housing, homeWORD hopes to create fundamental changes in a community’s social fabric and its sustainability.
Important Dates & Facts: Awards & Achievements: 2006 Sustainable Business Council New Venture of the Year- Orchard Gardens Project by HomeWord |
