Kane County Reporter

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Build with Strength (BWS) coalition is committed to strengthening communities’ access to affordable and resilient housing through its ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Despite the current nationwide shortages of building materials due to global supply chain issues, industry leaders like NRMCA are donating materials and expertise to local Habitat for Humanity affiliates in an effort to build 50 concrete houses in 50 states in five years. The latest project will break ground Tuesday, June 28th at 9 a.m. in Aurora, a community working to address the nationwide growing affordable housing crisis. 

This new build utilizes the latest innovations in Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) construction, which is leading the industry in environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient building materials. ICF is a key driver behind NRMCA’s Challenge 2030 to reduce concrete carbon emissions by 50%. Since 2014, the concrete industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 21%, highlighting a tangible commitment to reducing its environmental impact long-term. 

“As an industry, we have a responsibility to help provide durable solutions to a challenging and complex housing market that has left too many families without a decent place to live. Our partnership with Habitat represents a commitment to that responsibility,” said Mike Philipps, President of the NRMCA. 

This initiative is a precursor to Habitat for Humanity of Fox Valley’s Green Freedom Project, which will construct 17 new homes in the community with green innovations, such as the continued use of ICFs. 

The kick off event will feature hands-on volunteer opportunities, including an interactive training hosted by NRMCA’s ICF supplier, BuildBlock. Participants will learn about the benefits of ICFs and how to install it. 

The event is free to the public and open to the press. Interviews available upon request. 

 WHO: 

Habitat for Humanity of Fox Valley

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Prairie Materials

BuildBlock

WHAT: Habitat for Humanity Fox Valley kicks off Green Housing Initiative with first ICF home construction

WHEN: June 28th at 9:00 A.M.

WHERE: 654 Spruce, Aurora, IL 60506

REGISTER:  b.zegiel@foxvalleyhabitat.org 

About National Ready Mixed Concrete Association:

NRMCA is celebrating 90 years of representing the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment, and support to the industry. It conducts education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs.

To learn more, visit: https://www.nrmca.org/

About NRMCA’s Build with Strength Coalition:

Build with Strength Build with Strength is a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and works with communities, lawmakers, and industry employees to advocate for safer, sustainable building materials.

To learn more, visit: https://buildwithstrength.com/ 

About Habitat for Humanity Fox Valley:

Habitat for Humanity of Fox Valley is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide, and work in partnership with people of all faiths and races to develop communities for people in need by building and renovating houses, while creating homeownership opportunities based on the premise of providing a hand up; not a hand out. As an affiliate, they are a grass roots organization that is independently operated under the greater Habitat Covenant. They independently coordinate all aspects of Habitat home building in our area with fundraising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction, and mortgage servicing. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

To learn more, visit: ChicagoLandHabitat.org

_{Source: https://www.bataviachamber.org/news/details/national-ready-mixed-concrete-association-s-build-with-strength-coalition-partners-with-habitat-for}