On September 25, 2010 Habitat for humanity Montreal (HFHM) handed over the keys of its very first ‘green’ home to the Aabid-Ezzerouali Family. The duplex appartment, located in the St. Henri neighborhood of Montreal, was built with strict adherence to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines, with an eye to achieving the Silver certification. As a matter of fact, we were extremely proud to learn in March 2011 that the duplex had actually been certified to the Gold level!
«Habitat for Humanity is happy to make a difference in the life of an eighth Montreal family, by allowing it to become a homeowner. We have even more reasons to be proud, since this ecological duplex proves that it is possible to build accessible housing while protecting the environment!», asserted its designer, Montreal architect Rob Miners from Studio MMA.
Indeed, through the use of lasting materials, the purchase of Energy Star-approved windows, doors, household appliances and lighting, the installation of a domestic water heat-recovery device and a ventilation system that conforms to the Novoclimat norm, everything has been designed according to the principles of sustainable development, which will also result in considerable savings for the family. Composed of Abdellatif Aabid, of his wife Jamila Ezzerouali and their children Salma, 8 years and Mohammed, 5 years old, the family has been living for eight years in a small flat of the St. Henri area.
«It is really very nice to see so many people working hand in hand with a single aim in mind: build a new house and give it to a family that really needs it. When my wife and I took an active part in the completion of this plan, we learned a lot about house building. Let me emphasize that exceptional goals can be attained through the help of exceptional people. A huge thank you to the entire Habitat for humanity Montreal team!», underlined the happy new owner, Abdellatif Aabid.
Check out the specs of this Eco Home here.
Several sponsors and partners supported this innovative project, not to mention the hundreds of volunteers who invested uncounted hours in the building.
This build was made possible through the help of Financière Manuvie, among others. To underline Mr Cyril Bendahan, regional vice-president (Collective Insurance): «As sponsors of this home, not only do we contribute to alleviate the pressing need for accommodation of a family, but also to preserve the environment.»
The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s Subsidy program for accessible housing also contributed significantly to the realization of the project. Sylvain Larouche, manager of the Home Depot store in St. Henri, said: «Our involvement in this project shows the commitment of Home Depot to give back to the communities around us, but also that of the Home Depot Canada Foundation to build simple, decent and ecological housing for low-income families.»