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Innovation

The 10,000-Hour Challenge

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Featured Innovator:

Each month, we will feature one example of innovation in community development. Also be sure to check out our All-Star Innovators and all of the examples that have been Featured Innovators in the past.

To view more examples of innovation, use the Browse Innovations link.

 

Company/Organization Name: homeWORD, Inc., (http://www.homeword.org)

Contact: Keenan Whitt, keenan@homeword.org

Focus: housing

Hours contributed: 4300

Description of innovation:

Solstice-Confluence is the newest development by homeWORD, Inc. in Missoula, Montana. Construction began in September of 2010 and is slated to be completed in October of 2011. Solstice will have 34 units of affordable housing, targeting households at 40-60% of the area median income.Confluence will have 16,000 SF of commercial space to be leased, below market rate, to other mission sharing Missoula-based nonprofits.This development incorporates many innovative elements: •First in Montana to combine Low Income Housing Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits within the same project. •First mixed-use grey water system permit issued in Montana. •First commercial/affordable housing mixed use LEED Gold certification in Montana. homeWORD has a fundamental commitment to developing energy and resource efficient housing. •Community involvement – homeWORD conducted a Neighborhood Charrette for the whole project – Equinox and Solstice – to get feedback and design ideas from community members. The Neighborhood Charrette process is a public design meeting where community members come together to brainstorm ideas around the design and development of the proposed project. The project was also designed with added community processes such as an Eco-Design Charrette and Universal Design Charrette. The ideas and perspectives gathered during these phases of meetings informed the overall design process and final products. •Neighborhood revitalization – The two phase project – Solstice and Equinox – was designed and constructed in a designated revitalization area of Missoula and the site was previously a “greyfield”, primarily covered by asphalt paving. homeWORD's expertise and experience in housing development is used to demonstrate best methods for greyfield redevelopment and reinvigorating neighborhoods. Solstice models greyfield revitalization efforts and promotes reinvestment in other greyfield areas in the same corridor in the Missoula community and across the state. •Economic development – Solstice provides a new space for homeWORD’s HomeOwnership Center (HOC). The HOC helps homeWORD serve more people – especially underserved groups – in the community through homebuyer and financial education as well as foreclosure prevention counseling in an accessible learning environment using current communication technology. A training room will be shared by mission related non-profit.

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