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1/26/2010 1:55:26 PM

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By Dawn Schuett
The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

A housing rehabilitation program started last year by Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., has so far transformed one neglected, foreclosed home into a modern rambler with the features of a sustainable building.

The program, called Home Matters, involves other agencies teaming up with Three Rivers to buy houses that are in foreclosure, fix them up to be energy efficient and eco-friendly and address any safety issues before selling them to income-qualified families.

Three Rivers is a human services organization with a variety of programs to help low-income families in Wabasha, Goodhue and Rice counties. The goal of Home Matters is to bring stability to homes and neighborhoods affected by foreclosures or short sales while generating home-buying opportunities for those with low to moderate incomes.

The first home to be renovated through Home Matters is at 311 Cherry St. in Northfield. Work on that five-bedroom house, which is a model home for the program, will be completed in February, and the renovation of two more homes in Northfield will begin soon. Up to five homes could be done this year, and the hope is to eventually expand the program to other communities.

"The idea is that what we learn here, we can incorporate into all our housing rehab in the future," said Jenny Larson, community development director for Three Rivers.

A number of green building practices were used at the model home to save energy and to ensure a healthy indoor environment. A radon mitigation system was installed for proper ventilation of the home. The house now has a solar hot water system and low-flow showerheads and faucets. It has a forced air system with an air-source heat pump for cooling and heating.

"We wanted to do as much as possible to keep the operating costs as low as possible over time," Larson said. Information about the materials used and the renovation process has been shared on a blog and at public events.

Three Rivers is also collaborating with First Homes, the housing initiative of the Rochester Area Foundation, on buying and rehabilitating foreclosed homes in Rochester's downtown area. First Homes has finished and sold one home and has purchased nine others, six of which are currently being rehabilitated. With each project, First Homes is following the Green Communities criteria for green building.

Adam Ferrari, project manager for First Homes and the Rochester Area Foundation, said improvements made to the houses aren't as extensive as those at the model home for Home Matters. However, the work that's being done such as eliminating mold, lead-based paint and asbestos, adding insulation and installing Energy Star lighting and appliances is still worthwhile for the environment and the health of people who will live in those homes.


Dawn Schuett is a Farmington freelance writer.

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