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A Green Solution to Aboriginal Housing Concerns

When Grace McLeod and Jim Durnin started looking for a new home, they decided that they wanted to explore “green” housing options, both as a way to reduce their bills, and to protect the environment.  They also decided they didn’t want to mortgage their future in doing so.  That’s when they the heard about the Centennial Home Project.

The AC Realty Centennial Home Project is the result of a partnership between the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council and the Saskatchewan Research Council.  AC Realty, a division of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council representing Witchekan Lake First Nation, Big River First Nation and Pelican Lake First Nation, had been building Ready To Move houses (RTMs) since 2001.  Their homes were designed to address many of the issues faced in Aboriginal housing, such as over crowding and mold build up.  “We were working on a house that addressed the issues of durability, maintenance and sustainability for native communities, when Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) approached us about a joint submission of a proposal to Communities of Tomorrow to look into cost effective, energy efficient housing.” says Lyle Whitefish, former chief of the Tribal Council.  “We’re very proud of this project, not only because it’s addressing a number of issues at once, but also because it’s home grown.”

One of the most attractive aspects of the Centennial Home is it offers energy efficiency at an affordable price.  Grace and Jim signed up for the first home off the production line.  “What peaked our interest was the idea that you could build a home, that looks like any other home, and achieve a 35% increase in energy efficiency and a 20% decrease in water usage, for a reasonable cost,” says Grace.  While investing in a “green” home means cost savings in the long run, for many people deciding to go “green”, might mean they have to sacrifice other aspects of their home in order to pay for it.  “We are doing what we want to do, and we are not going to be mortgaged to the hilt for the rest of our lives,” says Grace.

Energy-efficient features of the home include: south orientation of the house for passive solar collection, improved air-tight walls and ceilings, high density batt insulation in the exterior walls, condensing high efficiency natural gas furnace, an air-to-air heat exchange, a waste water heat exchange, an instantaneous tankless water heater, Energy Star appliances and compact fluorescent lighting.

The other aspect of the project that interested Grace and Jim was the fact that AC Realty is run by First Nations people and trains Aboriginal people to be carpenters and apprentices on site.  And with features such as fibreglass shingles, metal exterior doors, solid core interior doors, 3/8" OSB (oriented standard board) installed prior to drywall applications, one piece tub and shower, ceiling fan, humidistat, and ceramic flooring, the home will stand up to more wear and tear, and be less susceptible to mold and mildew than conventional manufactured homes. 

What is the future for “green” manufactured homes in Saskatchewan?  Grace had this to add, “I think that there are a lot of people out there like us, that are a little more conscious about the environment, but aren’t able to belt out a lot of extra money.  This is the home of the future for the average consumer.”

Grace, Jim, and their children, Kalea and Arron, will move the home to their farm, just North of Prince Albert this winter.  SRC will monitor the house for one year to see how the savings add up.