On October 8, we joined the Lower Sioux Indian Community, Green Buffalo Institute, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, Dakota Finance, and other partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new hempcrete Elder home on Tribal trust land.
Through GMHF’s Innovation Fund, we provided a $350,000 grant to Green Buffalo Institute to support construction of the home. Created by the GMHF Board through a gift from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving, the Innovation Fund strengthens our ability to respond to emerging opportunities and invest in innovative housing solutions with the potential for broader impact.
In addition to creating a new home, the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research will use this project to evaluate hempcrete’s energy performance and financial feasibility in a real-world setting. By comparing energy efficiency and indoor air quality data from the hempcrete home with two conventionally built homes, researchers will generate valuable insights for developers, Tribal communities, and other partners across Minnesota exploring sustainable, healthy, and affordable housing solutions.
We’re proud to partner with the many organizations helping bring this innovative project to life and look forward to the insights and impact it will generate far beyond a single home.
Construction of Community-Driven Affordable Housing in Whitter Neighborhood Begins