Progress at Homes in Wolf River Bluffs

As the first month of 2013 comes to a close, the homes at Wolf River Bluffs are finally looking like houses!

As of January 28, electrical wiring and plumbing are in process. The builders have begun adding Memphis Light Gas and Water's (MLGW) EcoBUILD features to the homes. The energy efficiency will help new neighbors keep costs low on their energy bills.

According to Mike Brunk, our Construction Manager, Lot 19 has a roof as exterior paint is added.

Earthquake protection is put into the new homes!

Lot 33's framing, siding, windows, and doors are in the process of going in.

Lot 34 is next to go up! Foundation on the fourth home is complete with framing beginning today or tomorrow!

Photos courtesy of Mike Brunk

Despite the Weather, It's Coming Together!

The rain is not stopping the building at the Wolf River Bluffs Development at James Rd. and McLean Blvd.! The foundations were poured Monday, and the framing started Wednesday. 

UHI is ramping up 2013 without wasting much time. "These first four homes should be done by March as long as we stay on schedule," says Anne Meadors, Housing Production Manager. 

And we are doing just that, rain or shine!

Photos courtesy of Mike Brunk, Construction Manager. Check out more photos here. 

Energy Efficiency is the New Normal

DOE Funds Leading Edge Building Technologies

SustainableBusiness.com News

As part of its efforts to help homeowners and businesses reduce energy consumption and utility bills, the Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $9 million in six advanced US manufacturing projects that will improve energy performance.

“A typical American family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills, and much of that money is wasted on air leaks and drafts in our homes’ roofs, attics and walls. By bringing new, affordable energy efficient products to the market, we can help families save money by saving energy, while strengthening U.S. manufacturing leadership in technologies that are increasingly in demand worldwide.”

United Housing's Wolf River Project incorporates the same energy efficient construction with the addition of solar panels giving these Memphis homes a cutting edge in efficiency. Take a better look here.

Wolf River Bluffs homes have begun!

The building has begun at the Wolf River Bluffs site at James Rd. and Mclean Blvd. in Frayser. The much anticipated development finally begins after a housing recession that delayed construction since 2007. The time has come!

The foundation of the first four homes started yesterday. Anne Meadors, United Housing's Housing Production Manager visits the site and finds progress, "Grading, dirt work, and framework has started and it's really exciting to see after so many years of planning," Anne says.

Phase one consists of 34 single-family homes, which will be built out in small increments of four and five homes. The first four homes will be for Shelby Residential and Vocational Services' (SRVS) customers. United Housing is thrilled to provide permanent housing to those that need it the most.

(From the top to the bottom: Anne Meadors poses with the frames in the background. The last two photos show the progress NBC Contractors has made so far on the grading and framing.)

Photos by Bianca Patel, Data Manager at UHI.

Green Building in Affordable Housing Efforts

Green Building in Affordable Housing Reaches Critical Mass

by WALKER WELLS

Seven years ago, Global Green USA developed a performance ranking system to compare states’ efforts to build sustainably-designed, healthy and energy efficient affordable housing. We recently completed our “Progress and Possibilities” report evaluating the 2012 Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs), which guide the distribution of the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC). LIHTC supports development of nearly 100,000 housing units annually for individuals and families living below median income levels.

The results of this year’s analysis clearly demonstrate that green building has become a fundamental element of many states’ affordable housing developments. In 15 states, the majority of funded housing projects pursue green building certification.

Recognizing the growth in the number of states that are using third party programs. United Housing is using MLGW's EcoBUILD certification and TVA's Generation Partners Solar program. 

Read the whole article on America's growing Green Building initiatives and how one company is helping to encourage the trend. 

Contract is Signed, Ready to Build!

United Housing has signed on with NBC Contractors to begin building the first four homes at Wolf River Bluffs. These "green homes" will house 12 Shelby Residential and Vocational Services clients with developmental disabilities. The construction timeline will remain the same, 36 months from start to completion of 34 lots.  

UHI is still planning to work with Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (THDA) five levels of mortgage financing, which tailors loans to fit the buyer. THDA’s loan products run from 0% to 6% depending on the families’ income. We have strong partnerships with Crye-Leike Realtors, Memphis Area Association of Realtors, ERA Legacy Realty, Community Mortgage, Magna Bank and others to help us locate qualified buyers interested in purchasing. Our homebuyer education classes and down payment assistance also give us the opportunity to help families become sustainable, qualified homebuyers.  

The first picture is site plans for lots #33 and #34. 

Below, Construction Manager Mike Brunk looks over the contract with Housing Production Manager, Anne Meadors and Executive Director Tim Bolding. The plans will become reality this holiday season!

Memphis Business Journal Article

Subdivision starting after 5-year delay

Wolf River Bluffs to begin with 34-home first phase

Memphis Business Journal by Cole Epley, Staff writer

Date: Friday, November 30, 2012, 5:00am CST

Cole Epley

Staff writer- Memphis Business Journal

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Nearly five years after the first phase of construction at Wolf River Bluffs was supposed to begin, United Housing Inc. executive director Tim Bolding is confident the project will finally break ground in December.

Plans call for four, 1,500-square-foot single-family homes, with lots pre-sold to builders, to be built on the site that lies just north of where North McLean Boulevard dead-ends at James Road.

“We’re starting in December so we can get (the homes) framed and start working to have them move-in ready by spring,” Bolding says.

                                                       SULLIVAN HOME PLANS

                                                      Artist’s rendering of model for homes planned for Wolf River Bluffs subdivision