The City of Duluth will use its grant award to fund Northern Communities Land Trust (NCLT), a local Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), to acquire and substantially rehabilitate 10 blighted, vacant and/or foreclosed units for sale to low-income households. All units will be certified by an independent HOME Energy Rater (HER) as meeting ENERGY STAR criteria upon completion. ENERGY STAR housing units must meet guidelines for energy efficiency established by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and are at least 15 percent more energy efficient.

The project, "Greening City Homes", will use solar thermal technology to provide at least 50 percent of the project's domestic hot water needs and 10 percent of the project's space heating needs. Duluth will ensure that its CHDO also uses sustainable site designs; installs water conserving fixtures, energy-efficient appliances and lighting; uses materials from renewable sources or with recycled content; uses low VOC paints and sealants and formaldehyde-free composite wood; uses mold prevention techniques; and gives residents an instruction manual that provides information on how to maintain the Green features of their homes. All units assisted with the grant award will be affordable to low-income families. The completed homes will remain permanently affordable under the stewardship of the Land Trust.



For More Information Contact:
Department of Planning and Development
411 West First Street
Room 407
Duluth, MN
55802
TEL: 218-730-5480