Habitat for Humanity inaugurates first low-carbon concrete house in Tuscaloosa

Mercedes-Benz US International employees are bringing gifts to dedicate a new Habitat for Humanity-built home to Lorraine Davis on 25th Street in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. The house was built with all of the exterior walls and a ceiling using low carbon footprint technology. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

The newest home from Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa has a unique, environmentally friendly characteristic.

Lorraine Davis’ home on 25th Street is the first Tuscaloosa Habitat home to be constructed from low-carbon concrete. According to a press release, the specially mixed concrete will reduce the house’s CO2 emissions, the so-called CO2 footprint, by an estimated 60%.

The house dedicated on Wednesday was a partnership between Mercedes-Benz US International, the National Ready Mix Concrete Association and Habitat.

MBUSI sponsored the home and provided most of the volunteering from its Vance facility.

Marc Tyson, President of Ready Mix USA, a CEMEX company, and Rahul Shendure, CEO of CarbonBuilt, said they are “excited” to be contributing to concrete construction.

“Concrete houses offer additional protection in the event of natural disasters, especially in this area where storms are frequent, and we are proud to be part of this project which can serve as an example of strength and sustainability for other houses in the region”, said Tyson.

Shendure said the house will serve as an example for the housing industry.

“This house will not only make Tuscaloosa history, it will also be a model for sustainable living,” said Shendure. “We can reduce (carbon) emissions and at the same time build safe, sustainable and energy-efficient houses.”

Abby Boerner signs the Bible during the dedication of a new home built by Habitat for Humanity by Lorraine Davis on 25th Street in Tuscaloosa, Wednesday November 17, 2021. The home was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz US International and was built entirely outside walls and Panels made with low carbon footprint technology. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

During the two-month construction period, Davis worked on site almost every day, completing her required 250 hours of “sweat capital” – work on her own habitat house and the habitat houses of other homeowners. She buys her home at appraisal value through a 30 year mortgage at 0% interest.

Like all Tuscaloosa Habitat homes, Davis’s will have a tornado safety room built to the standards of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Although Habitat typically lines the walls of the safe room with steel, the walls of the Davis family’s safe room will be made of low carbon concrete.

The house is the 91st house that Habitat Tuscaloosa has completed since the devastating tornado on April 27, 2011 that tore a 5.9-mile trail through Tuscaloosa, damaging or destroying more than 12% of the city.

The story goes on

Lorraine Davis speaks as her home is inaugurated by Habitat for Humanity on 25th Street in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. The house was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz US International and was built with all the exterior walls and the low carbon ceiling using footprint technology. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

The Davis Home is the third home of Habitat Tuscaloosa’s Operation Transformation training initiative. As part of the initiative, Habitat Tuscaloosa acquired 40 properties earlier this year and has partnered with the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy to provide vocational training for students in the construction industry.

Habitat Tuscaloosa is now accepting new housing applicants. Anyone interested in applying should visit www.HabitatTuscaloosa.org/programs.

This article originally appeared in Tuscaloosa News: Habitat Inaugurates First Low Carbon Concrete Home in Tuscaloosa