We are excited to announce a collaboration between Syracuse Habitat for Humanity and the MCAA Upstate New York Chapter! This collaboration, with the support of local planners and construction trades, allows for a unique opportunity to test out a new model for the development of Habitat Houses in Syracuse.  This collaboration combines Syracuse Habitat's mission to "develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended," with the MCAA Upstate New York Chapter's mission "to preserve and promote the masonry industry by providing training for masons, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment and marketing the benefits of masonry materials".  

 

This collaboration will focus on building two houses on Hixson Avenue in a sustainable way. To meet this goal, these homes will have:

 

• Highly insulated concrete block exterior walls and wood roof construction

• Reduced energy costs through high efficiency floor heating, high insulation values, and thermal mass storage capacity of block construction

• Longevity and durability through solid concrete block (CMU) construction

• Condensed plan and sections that allow for a feeling of generous space despite the small square footage

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The hope is that these two homes will lay the ground work for Syracuse Habitat to have continued community support and partnerships to build sustainable houses in the future. Syracuse Habitat is excited about this partnership and we are glad that we can play a key role in offering opportunities for the promotion and training of young construction professionals as well as build homes that focus on sustainability.

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