Our house will be built on Whitney street as part of Flower City Habitat’s JOSANA Neighborhood Renewal project. The project presents an opportunity to transform a profoundly troubled area into a safe and vibrant neighborhood in which residents live in decent, safe, and affordable homes.
The Family
The homeowner is April Randall, a single mother taking care of her older sister Yolanda who has some developmental disabilities, plus 13 yr. old daughter Briashia, and 8 yr old son DeSante.
The Need
The JOSANA neighborhood is part of Rochester's "Crescent of Poverty". A recent Brookings Institution study notes that poverty in Rochester increased from 26 percent in 2000, to 30 percent in 2007, a 3.3 percent increase! As of 2007, child poverty increased from 38 percent to 44 percent, resulting in the sad ranking of Rochester as 2nd in child poverty among the 100 largest U.S. cites. 44 Percent of adult residents never graduated from high school.
The neighborhood exhibits numerous signs of deterioration and instability:
* 99 percent of properties were built before 1950
* 53 percent of properties are owned by investors (absentee landlords)
* Investor properties are in poor condition -- calls to the Housing Council Hotline to report code violations are the highest per capita in the "crescent"
* 10 eviction proceedings per 100 housing units is indicative of a volatile and unstable neighborhood
* 43 percent of renters have been at their addresses for less than one year Unfortunately, one of the most telling indicators of neighborhood health is the high incidence of lead paint poisoning. Several years ago, 29 percent of children age six and below tested at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter levels consiered very dangerous in young children.
Incorporating Sustainability
-Well Sealed/Well Insulated Housing Envelope
Simple construction practices and choices of insulation ensure the house is well sealed with little if any air leaks.
-Efficient Materials Use
Walls will be built with studs 24" on center vs. 16" on center in standard building. Material reuse system to maximize the use of materials.
-Pipe Insulation
Insulation will limit the heat loss from the pipes.
-Heat Recovery Ventilater
Ensure that the living space is provided with a source of fresh air. However, that fresh air is typically very different (temperature) than what is desired inside the home. An HRV will exchange heat between the exiting air and the incoming air.
-Efficient Ventilation Delivery System
Well sealed ventilation ducts and air handlers Locating the duct work within the conditioned space. By keeping the duct work within the conditioned space (interior walls, floor, and basement) we can drastically reduce the losses to unused space.
-Air Lock Entry
Consists of a mud room entry with one door to exterior and one to the interior. An air lock entry is designed to limit the amount of air that exchanges when someone enters the house.
-Reuse of organic waste
Helping the homeowner set up a composting bin/vermiculture for the reuse of organic waste. Kitchen scraps can be put into bins and will either break down from bacteria and fungi (compost) or be eaten by worms (vermiculture). Either way the remaining will be great fertilizer for a garden which we can assist the homeowner in setting up.
-Natural Lighting
As a result of southern facing windows, natural light will fill the living area. Properly designed roof overhangs will shade the windows in the summer limiting overheating of the living space.
-Switchable Electric Sockets
Allowing the homeowner to switch off an outlet when not in use.
-Tankless Hot Water Heater
By using a tankless water heater all losses associated with storing the hot water are eliminated.
-Solar Panels
Generously donated by O'Connell Electric
-Spray Foam Insulation