Beginning October 1, 2009, new Habitat for Humanity homes built in Michigan must achieve specific accessibility and energy efficiency standards in order to participate in programs offered through Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.
Michigan Habitat affiliates sign a Readiness File with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan which allows for participation in programs offered through HFHM. One part of this document is an agreement to build to the construction standards adopted by HFHM's Board of Directors which includes accessibility and energy efficiency standards.
Habitat homes that are built with the intent of using Down Payment Assistance, Softwood Lumber Agreement, Prison Build Products, or other programs and grants must comply with these requirements.
These standards and criteria are derived from those of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of
The Verification Process:
Affiliates should use the House Plan Verification Form to analyze and modify a house plan as needed in order to meet these criteria. The affiliate must verify and pass all 9 requirements on the House Plan Verification Form before submitting both the completed, passing form and the house plan to HFHM.
Submit the completed form and a copy of the house plans via e-mail to construction@habitatmichigan.org, or fax them to 517-485-1509 Attn: Construction, or mail the documents to HFHM Attn Construction 618 S Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI 48916 for final review and to receive a verification code for the plan.
Do not submit a house plan and verification form that does not pass all 9 requirements. This is a self-verifying process. Habitat for Humanity of Michigan will review each passing house plan in order to assign it a verification code. Each approved plan will be assigned an individual verification code number so that once a plan is verified it will not have to go through the process again.
It may take 7 - 10 business days for the team to review and submit back the house plan with feedback and a verification code.
This verification will get plans approved through 2010, but please be aware that in 2011, Energy Star will be significantly changed which may require additional plan changes - mostly to accommodate advanced framing techniques.
Helpful Ideas to Achieve these Requirements:
- Take a look at HFHM's example of an accessible bathroom. It includes all of the requirements as well as additional recommendations for an accessible bathroom.
- Utilizing a reverse brick ledge foundation will be helpful in creating an easily navigated slope to the no-step entry.
All 9 of the house plan requirements are directly derived from the documents below:
- HFHI's U.S. Construction Standards: Build to HFHI House Design Criteria
- MSHDA Office of Community Development's Visitability Standards for OCD Funded New Construction Projects
- HFHI's Accessible Housing Manual
- HFHI's Visitability / Universal Design Standards
- Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines: Requirement 7