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The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) was proud to attend a recent open house for Habitat for Humanities green house on West Cross Street in Baltimore’s Pigtown, the neighboring community of MDE headquarters in Montgomery Park. This area, being one of the MDE designated Environmental Benefits Districts, is focusing on ecologically-friendly and efficient products that are affordable to low-income families. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) funded and managed the project and Chesapeake Habitat for Humanities provided volunteers.
Energy Efficient and Green
The energy efficient row house rehabilitation project features “eco-block” insulated concrete forms, Styroform® interior surface walls, low-emissions windows to hold in heat and cooling and a tankless water heat and compact fluorescent lighting. The green features of this habitat include bamboo flooring (an easily replenishable resource), low-flow faucets, dual flush toilets and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emitting paints and caulks.
Along with many hard-working volunteers who donate their time and talents to build this low-income housing, manufacturers donate many of the building materials. The home is also furnished with Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.’s long-touted Energy Star appliances. MEA provides funding through grants and donations to make these rehab projects available for Baltimore’s vacant properties.
The program is designed to improve the quality of existing row houses in efforts to revitalize urban communities in a sustainable, energy efficient way.
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