This Labor Day weekend, as you relax and spend time with your family, we hope that you enjoy your much-deserved time off. Your hard work, dedication and daily contributions to our economy is greatly appreciated. As you embark upon your weekend vacations or backyard family barbecues, know that you are duly recognized for all that you do. Happy Labor Day!

In an effort to revive Hancock County, Mississippi, an area largely affected by Hurricane Katrina five years ago, Habitat for Humanity has set sight on green building. As 53% of the county’s housing was destroyed by the 2005 hurricane, Habitat for Humanity Bay-Waveland Area is still focused on rebuilding houses in the area.

With a large focus on lowering utility bills and providing affordable housing for families trying to recover from the hurricane, Wendy McDonald, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Bay-Waveland Area, decided to implement green building initiatives to all of the homes built.

Since starting the home rebuilds, the HFHBW has built 20 certified green homes and is awaiting certification for twelve other homes. Each home built by HFHBW is third-party certified through either National Green Building Standard (NGBS) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The HFHBW spends an average $15,000 extra on homes to ensure that they meet third-party standards. Wendy McDonald is quoted as saying,

The investment is paying off: Utility bills on the nonprofit’s energy-efficient homes have been as low as $80 a month, compared to $150 for a traditionally built house of the same size.

For more information on HFHBW green building, click here.

According to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the number of new homes built across the nation rose to 1.7% in July. The data solely reports an increase in multifamily home builds, as the number of single family homes decreased 4.2%.

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe had this to say about the increase in home builds:

Right now the housing market is essentially in a holding pattern. Builders are seeing greater hesitancy among potential home buyers who are uncertain about what’s in store for the economy and jobs going forward. That said, favorable home buying conditions including historically low mortgage rates and low house prices should help spur additional demand as the job market gradually improves later this year.

Across the U.S., the Northeast and Midwest regions posted gains of 30.5% and 10.7%, respectively in home builds. The South recorded a 6.3% decrease in home starts, while the West recorded no change in home start activity.

Click here from more details from the National Association of Home Builders.

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