AIA donates $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity Virginia

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/landing-pages\/6452708-aia-headquarters-renewal"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/pages\/6464938-the-aia-2030-commitment"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/landing-pages\/6452708-aia-headquarters-renewal","target","_new"]],["b"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"WASHINGTON \u2013 February\n22, 2023 \u2013"],[0,[],0," The American Institute of Architects is donating\n$500,000 to Habitat for Humanity Virginia to help launch a two-year project to\ninstall solar energy systems on up to 80 homes in Washington, DC, and Virginia.\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The donation is the\nresult of the association\u2019s goal to offset the embodied carbon emissions\nresulting from the "],[0,[1],1,"AIA Headquarters renewal project"],[0,[],0,". "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The AIA project is one\nof the first fully decarbonized major building renovations in the US,\ndemonstrating a cost-effective and replicable approach to climate action in existing\nbuildings. The renovations will exceed "],[0,[2],1,"AIA 2030 Commitment"],[0,[],0," standards for fossil-fuel use\nreduction by fully electrifying the building, reducing energy use by 58\npercent, and serving the building through a 100 percent renewable energy mix."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cWe are excited about AIA\u2019s\nbuilding renewal, and we appreciate Habitat for Humanity\u2019s assistance to\naddress the embodied carbon from the project,\u201d said Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, AIA\nEVP\/Chief Executive Officer. \u201cAll remaining embodied carbon from AIA\u2019s building\nrenewal will be offset through this innovative agreement with Habitat for\nHumanity, where AIA has donated $500,000 to purchase and install solar panels to\nmake these homes much more sustainable.\u201d \n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Habitat for Humanity\naffiliates operate across the US and worldwide, building quality, affordable houses\nand selling them to families who would otherwise not be able to afford the\npurchase of a home. All families served by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in\nVirginia earn less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI); most earn 25-60% of\nAMI.\n\n\u201cThe AIA is helping us to greatly reduce the energy burden of hard-working\nHabitat households,\u201d said Overton McGehee, Executive Director of Habitat for\nHumanity Virginia. \u201cAs a result of this gift, Habitat is building homes that\nwill be more affordable to operate for the next 30 years.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA\u2019s donation will be\ncombined with funding from other donors, a small investment from each family,\nand other sources to install solar systems at a fraction of the retail cost of\nsolar. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThis project aims to\nmake solar energy accessible to families that would otherwise not be able to\nafford it due to the upfront costs of solar\u201d says Jeff Heie, Director of\nGiveSolar, the non-profit organization that is partnering with Habitat Virginia\nto implement the two-year project."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The two-year project\nwill launch on March 1, 2023. Solar\nsystems will be installed on Habitat homes throughout Virginia, DC, and part of\nNE Tennessee."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"More details of AIA\u2019s\nbuilding renewal can be found on "],[0,[3],1,"AIA\u2019s website."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"About\nHabitat for Humanity Virginia"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"GiveSolar is a non-profit social impact organization that assists\nhomeowners with low income and non-profit organizations in gaining access to\nsolar energy through organizing community-based mutual aid. GiveSolar launched a partnership with Habitat\nfor Humanity in 2021 through a pilot project with Central Valley Habitat for\nHumanity in Bridgewater, VA."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[4],1,"About AIA"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Founded\nin 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and\nsustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200\ninternational, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that\npromote economic vitality and public wellbeing."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them\nin their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders\nand the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities,\ninstitutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct\nto ensure the highest professional standards."]]]]}