Last Updated On: 5/31/2008 10:45:48 PM
ATLANTA - Habitat for humanity is growing upwards, with 6 town homes in Sylvan Hills near fort McPherson.
"On this site we could have put 3 single family homes but by putting townhouses here we can help more families and support good urban designs," explained rosemary Kernahan, Habitat's Director of Site Planning.
Not only will the townhouses take up less space, Kernahan said they will use less energy as well.
"These are very energy efficient. We build to green building standards; Earthcraft is the certification model we use, she said.
Dozens of volunteers turned out Saturday to help kick of the townhouse project including AGL Resources President John Somerhalder. AGL is one of several sponsors of the project.
"With oil going up globally, it's impacted a lot of other energy sources: gasoline, electricity, and natural gas. So this is certainly a good example for all of us to follow, Somerhalder said.
Amal Gashaw will own one of the homes after she helps build it.
"We put in 250 hours of sweat equity hours. We just started today so hopefully we'll be done by the end of the year. I've been sweating all day!" She laughed.
Habitat for Humanity's goal is to have the six new townhouses ready for occupancy by July.
For more information about Habitat, go to: http://atlantahabitat.org
