Healthy Building Network  [Printer-friendly version]
December 20, 2006

REBUILDING THE GULF WITH YOUR HELP

[Rachel's introduction: Yesterday the environmental movement entered
a new phase when the Healthy Building Network completed
construction of its first "green building" to start replacing homes
lost during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Environmentalists running a
local green business, serving a local need -- this is new. You can
help.]

By Bill Walsh

Dear Friends,

Seasons Greetings from the Healthy Building Network (HBN). I've been
waiting to write to you this holiday season until the day I could
share this thrilling piece of news with you: Today, HBN's Unity Homes
project -- www.unityhomes.net -- has just completed construction of
the first prototype Unity Home in North Gulfport, Mississippi!

We are closer than ever to realizing our goal of providing healthy,
green, affordable housing to families in the region devastated by
hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and now I'm asking for your continued
support of this groundbreaking initiative.

Click to support the Healthy Building Network this holiday season.

North Gulfport Community Land Trust's Rose Johnson (center) with HBN's
Mississippi Operations Director Lillie Bender (right)

The first Unity Home is set in North Gulfport, Mississippi

The Unity Home improves upon standard modular design with numerous
energy saving components, low VOC finishes, and the elimination of
formaldehyde and PVC plastic (also known as vinyl) to the maximum
extent possible. Next month we will begin phase two of the project --
planning the construction of a modular home factory in the region. The
factory will have the capacity to produce a minimum of 250 affordable
homes per year, supplying people in the Gulf Coast and Delta regions
with hurricane resistant, energy efficient and comfortable homes that
are high quality and affordably priced.

The Unity Homes project fills a critical need for healthy affordable
housing in the Gulf Coast region. I hope we can count on your support
of this vital effort. Click here to make a secure online
contribution to HBN and the Unity Homes project.

The construction of the first prototype home is the result of
innovative collaborations that are the hallmark of the Healthy
Building Network. In Mississippi we have established essential new
partnerships with local community-based groups. In fact, the first
prototype Unity Home is being donated to the North Gulfport Community
Land Trust. We have also benefited from vast amounts of pro-bono legal
and strategic support, and worked with leaders in the fields of green
architecture and design. Visit the Unity Homes website to learn more
about our partnerships, view our construction gallery, and to take
a virtual tour of the home.

The Healthy Building Network and the Unity Homes project are both
nonprofit ventures supported entirely by contributions from charitable
foundations and individuals like you. Last year you helped HBN exceed
our goal in our first-ever public appeal for funds and your support
truly energized our work. We appreciate your support and hope that
this year you will make a generous contribution to help bring the
Unity Homes project into full scale production.

The need for rebuilding in the Gulf remains great and the Unity Homes
project offers proof that we can meet this urgent need with green,
healthy, affordable homes. To show our gratitude for your support,
when you make a monthly pledge or a one time gift to HBN you may
choose from this year's updated selection of special premium gifts.

With thanks in advance for your consideration, all of us at the
Healthy Building Network send our wishes for a happy and peaceful
holiday season.

Donate now at www.healthybuilding.net/donate.