Build It Green I		Build It Green II

Simple. Decent. Affordable. Green.

We have taken our core mission of providing simple and affordable housing a

step further by incorporating environmentally friendly building practices into the

construction of our homes.  This project is trying for LEED-H certification and

includes energy and water efficiencies, responsible site design, recycled

materials and durable construction.  Only a few other residential homes in the

entire state of Maine have received LEED certification.  This makes Habitat for

Humanity of Greater Portland a leader in building environmentally friendly homes. 

But most importantly, Habitat of Greater Portland is trying to add affordability to

the green building effort.  The affordability component makes the LEED project

completely unique to the state of Maine.

Build It Green I

Build It Green II

What is LEED? 

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building

Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction,

and operation of high performance green buildings.  LEED gives a while-building

approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in 5 key areas of human and

environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,

materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  For more information on LEED

certification, visit the USGBC website at usgbc.org.

How has Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland already

practiced Green Building?

In our ReStore, for the past few years, Habitat for Humanity has been helping

members of our community to embark on their own green building projects by

providing an opportunity for the public to purchase reclaimed building materials

from our ReStore.  All materials being sold at the store have been donated and

are sold at 50%-80% of the retail price.  Items donated to our Restore may also

be used in the construction of Habitat homes. Reusing building materials has an

additional benefit of steering these items away from our landfills.

How you can be involved?

• Individual donations
• Volunteering
• Corporate sponsorships

For more information on how to get involved or to make a donation to our

Build It Green project, contact Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland at

(207) 772-2151. We are also grateful for the generous sponsorship of

several local businesses.

We have also been endorsed by:

• MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority)
• Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
• Portland Trails
• US Green Building Council (USGBC)
• Hancock Lumber
• Efficiency Maine
• GrowSmart Maine

Download Adobe Reader  to view our Build it Green Brochure.

LEED Open House at Demerest Street Extension in Portland On Saturday, January 17th, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland opened the doors to its two Build It Green (BIG) projects and invited the community to take a tour of the (almost!) finished product.  Local businesses and contractors were invited to set up tables inside each house to promote their products and services and speak with “tourists” about their contributions to the BIG projects.  Starbuck’s (Forest Avenue) and the new Borealis Bistro on Ocean Avenue generously donated coffee and freshly baked brownies for the event. Despite frigid temperatures, the sun was shining and Habitat staff members were on hand to give tours of the houses and chat with the community about the special features of each home.   Several community members joined staff and exhibitors at the Build it Green I House on Demerest Street in Portland.  Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the variety of materials that were used in the construction of the this environmentally friendly and energy efficient home. (Photo contributed by David Kamila)   Daniel Wallace, HFHGP Construction Manager, helps to set up the exhibitor tables at Build It Green II.  A special thanks to St. Joseph’s College Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter for braving the cold to spend the morning volunteering with us in preparation for this event.