TRAVERSE CITY —
Ryan Hannon works each day with the region's homeless population.
He coordinates street outreach services for Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. It's his job to provide food, clothing, transportation assistance and other aid to the area's homeless, and make referrals for human services.
Now Hannon's about to receive his own helping hand. Hannon, who currently lives in a small rental house plagued by black mold, is set to own a new Habitat for Humanity home on South Airport Road.
Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates homes for low-income residents using mostly volunteer labor, including plenty of sweat equity supplied by prospective owners. The homes are then sold to the owner at cost and with a zero-interest mortgage.
Hannon's new digs will be the region's first LEED-certified Habitat home. That means it will be certified as a green building under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
"It's so energy efficient and has such good indoor air quality that it's good for the residents' health," said Pam Doty-Nation, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region executive director.
She said the walls will contain twice as much insulation as a typical home and a special air exchange system will freshen air quality up to nine times per hour. Also, the home will include "Power-Pipe" technology that recaptures heat from used water for energy savings.
"It costs about $6,000 more up front to build, but it saves $1,000 to $2,000 a year in energy costs," Doty-Nation said.
Hannon, a single father of two, said there's a lot he could do with an extra $2,000 a year. Additionally, he likes the environmentalism behind LEED certification.
"I'm really excited not only that the cost of my utilities will be lower, but I'll be using less overall," Hannon said.
Habitat for Humanity will host a "wall-raising" event today at 10 a.m. at Hannon's new home at 3753 S. Airport Rd. in Traverse City. The event will kick-off major construction at the site.
Habitat is at work on four homes in the Grand Traverse region, in addition to Hannon's house. The goal is to build 10 homes before the end June 2011, Doty-Nation said.
"And energy efficiency on some level is something we'll be doing from here on out," she said.
Doty-Nation formerly worked with Habitat for Humanity in Kent County, where more than 70 LEED-certified Habitat homes have been built, she said.
For more information about volunteering or donating to Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitatgtr.org.
Region
Related Photos
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Ryan Hannon, of Traverse City, holds his daughter Kendall Hannon, 5, alongside his son, Joe Irving, 16, as they look around Thursday at the location of their future home in Traverse City. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Efficient Habitat home is now taking shape
First Habitat home in region to be LEED certified
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Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
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Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
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DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
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Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
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Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
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Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
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Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
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TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
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Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
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Detroit chamber wants help for new campaign
The Detroit Regional Chamber is asking private companies to contribute $2 million a year for a new campaign to promote economic development in southeastern Michigan.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
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Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
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Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
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City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
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Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
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Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
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Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
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Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
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Underwater archaeology school returns to NMC
People from around the world will dive deep into the study of underwater archaeology next month at Northwestern Michigan College.
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Change may be on the way for kindergarten cutoff date
State lawmakers are considering moving up the cutoff date for kindergarten to level the academic playing field for new students, but school officials in Traverse City said it's more important to focus on universal preschool.
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Paving under way on 6.5-mile stretch of Leelanau Trail
Cyclists soon find a much smoother ride from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 26, 2012
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July 4 to sparkle for years to come
Local supporters saved the threatened patriotic pyrotechnics last year. Now, the group launched the nonprofit Traverse City Boom Boom Club to plan and pay for an annual Independence Day show.
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GT Road Commission won't renew Gillis' contract
Mary Gillis' bosses refused to renew her contract, so the Grand Traverse County Road Commission's manager has to figure out her next move.
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