Habitat for Humanity: ACPA MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE NEARLY $250,000

ACPA, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) Build with Strength Coalition and Habitat for Humanity International partnered in 2021 to fortify affordable and sustainable housing across the U.S. using concrete and insulated concrete forms (ICFs). We set a goal to construct 50 concrete homes in 50 states in five years and are on target to exceed that goal. ACPA is proud to be part of this project and our members have played a key role in bringing it to fruition. We estimate the total value of contributions of ACPA members is close to $250,000 in donated materials and services.

Paradise, California dedication

ACPA INVOLVEMENT

Over the past two years, this initiative has constructed 47 projects in 27 states including, Denver, Colorado; Spokane, Washington; Neosho, Missouri; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Hartford, Connecticut; and Lincoln, Nebraska — to name a few. ACPA members across the country have been involved in nearly every build.

The first project under this partnership was in Paradise, California, where 90 percent of the community was burnt to the ground in the 2018 Camp Fire. We, along with several other NRMCA member organizations, worked with Habitat for Humanity of Butte County and donated the materials needed to construct three, non-combustible concrete homes on The Ridge. In August 2022, Paradise Mayor Crowder, alongside partners and local leaders, proudly welcomed three families back home.

Athens, Georgia dedication

“October is National Fire Prevention Month,” says Christi Collins, executive director of the ACPA. “An average of 358,500 homes experience a structural fire each year in the U.S. Building with non-combustible materials such as concrete protects the structural integrity of homes across the nation and reduces potential damage and costs to homeowners in the event of a fire or other natural disaster.”

NEED FOR WORKERS

One of the main roadblocks in adopting new construction techniques is the lack of trained workers. The partnership between BWS-ACPA-HFH is helping to train contractors, engineers, designers and architects in the use and application of new energy efficient building technologies, such as insulated concrete forms, which have been used as the core building blocks for these Habitat homes. ICFs save upfront time in construction and are more energy efficient, which saves costs for homeowners on their utilities while maximizing safety and resilience.

From a sustainability standpoint, lowering electricity consumption reduces the amount of CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere. The average electricity consumption per household varies according to location and type of construction. It is estimated that each household consumes 11,000 kwh of electricity per year.

ICF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A recent study published by ICF Manufacturers Association shows that compared to a standard 2x6 wood frame wall section, an ICF wall section of the same size used 60 percent less energy than the stick frame. With close to a million homes being built in the U.S. every year, if just one percent of the new homes could be 60 percent more energy efficient, we could reduce CO2 emissions by almost 30,000 tons per year. Think what could be accomplished if we could get 10 or 20 percent of new homes to be more energy efficient using innovative, sustainable concrete.

In addition to helping to build inclusive and affordable communities across the country, our partnership with Habitat for Humanity is helping to deliver on the concrete industry’s ambitious sustainability goals. In 2012, NRMCA members adopted the Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products which stated a goal of embodied carbon neutrality by 2050 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as the methodology for measuring progress.

NRMCA has been tracking its members’ environmental impacts since 2014, when it published its first LCA and benchmark report. According to a new LCA report published in March 2022, NRMCA members have lowered their carbon footprint by 21 percent over the past seven years.

LOOKING AHEAD

“Habitat for Humanity is an incredible partner for these projects. It’s an amazing feeling to know that the industry is helping to provide affordable, sustainable homes that are comfortable and safe for those living in them,” said Collins. “Concrete can provide great peace of mind for homeowners and help communities across the nation deliver on their sustainability goals.”

2022 Habitat for Humanity projects year-to-date

As we look ahead, we have 14 more builds in 2022 and an additional 11 builds projected for 2023. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Taylor White at the ACPA National Office at taylor[at]concretepumpers[dot]com or via phone at (614) 431-5618.

HFH projects planned for 2023