As of October 1, 2009, new Habitat for Humanity homes built in Michigan must achieve specific accessibility and energy efficiency standards in order to participate in programs offered through Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. These standards are utilized to ensure that Habitat homes will qualify for various funding and grant programs.
Homes built to these criteria help assure long-term affordability to low-income families by offering lower utility bills and also create a healthier and more durable home that will require less maintenance and upkeep. If the need ever arises for a family member to require an accessible home, the adaptable features will allow a family to make the needed changes with very little expense.
Michigan Habitat affiliates sign a Readiness File with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan which allows for participation in programs offered through HFHM. One part of this document is an agreement to build to the construction standards adopted by HFHM's Board of Directors which includes accessibility and energy efficiency standards.
Habitat homes that are built with the intent of using Down Payment Assistance, Softwood Lumber Agreement, Prison Build Products, or other programs and grants must comply with these requirements.
These standards and criteria are derived from those of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of
The Verification Process:
Affiliates can use the New Construction House Plan Criteria and Verification Form to self-verify their plans and to analyze and modify plans as needed in order to meet these criteria. If an affiliate would like to receive a verification number on a plan, it must first self-verify and pass all 10 requirements on the House Plan Verification Form before submitting both the completed form and the house plan to HFHM.
After self-verifying the plans and ensuring that each component passes the criteria, submit the completed form and a 1/4" scale copy of the house plans via e-mail to tphillips@habitatmichigan.org, or fax them to 517-485-1509 Attn: Construction, or mail the documents to HFHM Attn Construction 618 S Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI 48916 for final review and to receive a verification code for the plan. The verification process typically takes 7 - 10 business days.
Please be aware that in 2011 and 2012, Energy Star will be significantly changed which may require additional plan changes - mostly to accommodate advanced framing techniques.
Helpful Ideas to Achieve these Requirements:
- Take a look at HFHM's example of an accessible bathroom. It includes all of the requirements as well as additional recommendations for an accessible bathroom.
- Utilizing a reverse brick ledge foundation will be helpful in creating an easily navigated slope to the no-step entry.
All 10 of the house plan requirements are directly derived from the documents below:
- HFHI's U.S. Construction Standards: Build to HFHI House Design Criteria
- MSHDA Office of Community Development's Visitability Standards for OCD Funded New Construction Projects
- HFHI's Accessible Housing Manual
- HFHI's Visitability / Universal Design Standards
- Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines: Requirement 7