The Basalt Vista affordable housing project won a prestigious national award from Habitat for Humanity International.
The 27-unit, net-zero project was selected the best among 100 applicants in the “Best Multi-family Home Design” competition. The award was voted on by peers in Habitat for Humanity and 13 outside partner organizations.
The Basalt Vista affordable townhouse project was headed by Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork. Partners included the Roaring Fork School District, which contributed the land; Pitkin County, which helped pay for infrastructure; and the town of Basalt, which provided financial help to reduce fees.
Holy Cross Energy and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency helped create the net zero project, which produces as much energy as its consumes through efficiency and solar photovoltaic systems on the homes.
The project’s last of the 27 residences will be finished this month. “Basalt Vista has proven that we can combine energy efficiency with all electric utilities and affordable homeownership, while blending in with the high quality housing standards of our valley,” Habitat for Humanity RFV President Gail Schwartz said in a statement.
“We were only able to accomplish Basalt Vista with the support of our partners here in the valley, including governmental entities and the energy conservation community. I like to say that we broke the glass ceiling on energy efficient, affordable housing. We are proud to provide the template for the affordable housing community going forward.”
