Sustainable housing development in Nibley earns national award
February 4th, 2011 Posted in OpinionBy Stephanie Zollinger
NIBLEY–The city of Nibley is developing its first conservation easement subdivision. The subdivision will include 75 lots on 35 acres of land, and 9.7 acres of open space, said Kim Datwyler, executive director of the Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation.
A lot of planning and thoughtful consideration has gone into this subdivision, she said. As a result of their hard work, the Neighborhood Non-Profit Housing Corporation received one of three national Rural Sustainable Housing Development Awards given by the Housing Assistance Council. 
“Homes are built through the Mutual Self Help Housing Program,” Datwyler said, which is “where families work together to build each other’s homes under our guidance and assistance.”
Some resistance was felt by the community when they heard that “affordable housing” was going in, she said. People assume that low income affordable housing equals lower quality, but Datwyler explained that “once they have seen the homes and met the families that worked together [for] 35 hours a week for eight months,” they have a change of heart.
“The homes are well built, attractive, and their front yard landscaping [is included in the housing plans],” Datwyler said. “They are Energy Star-rated, and perhaps best of all, were built with the love, sweat, and sometimes tears of the occupants.” The owners care about their homes and strive for an attractive community, she said.
NW
Tags: award, Kim Datwyler, Nibley, sustainable housing
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