Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio, and the Knox County Land Bank are partnering with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) Build with Strength coalition to build a unique and affordable home in Knox County. The project represents the first Knox County Habitat construction that will use insulated concrete forms (ICFs), a sustainable, noncombustible concrete building system that will reduce upfront expenses and on-site construction time while maximizing the structure’s durability and energy performance. 

Community members, volunteers and local leaders were invited to a “Rock the Block” event on Oct. 7 for a meet-and-greet with Knox County Land Bank, Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, and the build's sponsors, a tour of the property, and the opportunity to learn more about concrete and ICF construction.

This build is one of 12 builds all happening in two years in partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Knox County and the Knox County Land Bank as part of the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) Program. The program aims to provide grants for the purchase of qualifying residential properties, the cost of construction or rehabilitation, or a nonrefundable tax credit for qualifying activities. The Knox County Land Bank was awarded a $2.46 million grant from WHO. Habitat is facilitating the construction of homes and homeowner solicitation on land owned by the Land Bank.

“Concrete offers the strength and resilience for building solid communities,” said Gregg Lewis, chief communications officer at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. “We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Knox County to demonstrate how concrete and insulated concrete forms can build affordable homes that do not compromise quality.”

Students of the Knox County Career Center’s Building Trades program are volunteering on the construction site. One of the future homeowners, Brandon, attended the program. The Knox County Career Center provides cutting edge programs that prepare adults with career and life-long learning skills.

NRMCA members Ellis Brothers, Inc. and Ohio Concrete have donated discounted materials for this project. Other sponsors include Fox Blocks, PumpCo, United Aggregates Inc., CTS Trucking Inc., Euclid Chemical, Knox County Land Bank, Knox County Career Center, Hake Custom Design, New Avenue Architects, Central Midwest Carpenters, Fairborn Cement Company, Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association and American Concrete Pumping Association. This project is part of a wider initiative between Build with Strength and Habitat for Humanity International to construct 50 sustainable concrete homes in 50 states in five years. The partnership currently has 80 homes in various stages of construction in 34 states.

“Knox County Habitat is excited about this partnership with Build with Strength and so many others. Bringing people together is a part of our mission, and we cannot be prouder of the group we have brought together to help tackle the affordable housing crisis,” said Terry Schulz, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Knox County. “Our goal is to provide communities in Knox County with safe, secure housing, which we are able to do through this innovative, affordable building technique.”