When asked about the most daunting aspect of moving out of the apartment she and her family have rented for over 30 years, Franky Rodriguez had a somewhat surprising answer: “Probably paying utilities. We live in public housing, so the rent is high, but we have never had to pay individual bills and accounts…I’m sure we’ll figure it out”.
Franky, a single mother of four children and one grandchild (Fabian, Nahelly, Paulo, Ervey, and Renesmee]) does not need to be overly concerned about her utility bills, as she and her family will be the proud owners of Greeley-Weld Habitat’s first Zero-Net Energy Home, a project launched in partnership with Atmos Energy. A Zero-Net Energy Home aims to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, incorporating building envelope efficiency, passive and active solar technology, and the latest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting to make the home, and its family, truly self-sufficient.
While excited to be the first Greeley-Weld partner families to purchase a Zero-Net Energy Home, Franky is most excited to provide her family with the space to spread out, as well as an increased sense of security. Her family currently shares a four-bedroom apartment, and space is a constant concern: “We don’t even really have hallways, because of the need for storage space,” she said. “It makes it very difficult to move around.”
Additionally, she worries for the safety of her children (one of whom has a disability) living on the third floor, as her windows are unsecured. She is constantly placing objects in front of each window so that her children do not fall out. Her five-bedroom Habitat home will give each of her children their own space for the first time in their lives and provide an increased sense of safety for Franky and her family.
Frankie also looks forward to contributing her 500 sweat equity hours, reflecting on how many people do not have the opportunity to contribute to the construction of their own home.
As a Foreman at Cintas, Franky is used to hard work and has a network of family and friends in the area who are willing to help. Looking forward to the increased space, security, and stability that her new home will provide, Franky had a message for Habitat’s staff and supporters: “I never thought I would own my own home…thank you for making our dream come true”.
