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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:
Homeword is a SBC sponsor!
Awards & Achievements:
2006 Sustainable Business Council New Venture of the Year- Orchard Gardens Project by Homewor
2011 Nonprofit of the year
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