Climate and Sustainability
At SBP, we understand the dual importance of fortifying communities against natural disasters while protecting our planet for future generations. That's why we prioritize environmental sustainability in all of our building efforts and pioneer new development models that blend resilience and energy efficiency in a way that few organizations have accomplished before. One way we achieve this is by rebuilding homes and constructing new ones to FORTIFIED Home™ standards. FORTIFIED Home™ is a third-party verification program that ensures homes are built to withstand severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail storms. To meet these standards, SBP reinforces roofs, walls, windows, doors, and foundations to withstand high winds and impacts. This ensures that families and communities are better protected against future disasters, effectively reducing the labor and resource cost of rebuilding. We also utilize green building techniques and materials to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall sustainability of the homes we rebuild. This includes installing energy-efficient appliances, using low-VOC paint, and implementing waste reduction through the use of the Toyota Production System. Additionally, we educate homeowners on how to best prepare their homes ahead of disasters to accelerate the rebuilding process, reducing the cost of rebuilding while minimizing the long-term impact on the environment. Join us in our mission to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
When SBP rebuilds a disaster survivor’s home, like Ms. Jeanette’s, we use storm-resilient materials like PVC cabinets to avoid future damage, lower monthly insurance costs, and reduce environmental impact. The outcome of this effort has alleviated financial pressure on her family, preserved her home’s integrity, and ensured her family continues to create cherished memories in the house for years to come.
Notable Projects
Opportunity Housing
Resilient, Sustainable, and Energy-Efficient Homes for Low and Moderate-Income Families
Through its Opportunity Housing Program, SBP makes the dream of homeownership for low and moderate-income families a reality. We build high-quality homes at an affordable price by pairing these homes with government-provided down payments and closing cost assistance. SBP homes are both energy efficient and storm-resilient, so families can build equity and save money on energy costs now while being better prepared to weather future disasters.
THE ST. PETER APARTMENTS
Louisiana’s First Net-Zero Apartment Building
St. Peter Apartments is a 50-unit, mixed-income, energy-efficient apartment community that is centrally located near Whole Foods, Lafitte Greenway, and the VA Hospital in New Orleans’s Mid City neighborhood. The St. Peter is Louisiana’s first net-zero energy apartment building and offers one and two-bedroom units, off-street parking, and community space.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Upcycling Volcanic Ash for Carbon-Friendly Affordable Housing
On April 9, 2021, La Soufrière volcano erupted for the first time in 40 years. An estimated 234,004 people were displaced to the southern end of St Vincent and the Grenadines and neighboring countries. Many low and moderate-income families could not fully recover on their own. As of August 2022, more than 3,000 of those homes were still in need of repairs. Recognizing the need on the island, SBP partnered with BRAGSA in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to support long-term recovery by upcycling volcanic ash to produce concrete blocks for carbon-friendly affordable housing. With 1,300 active volcanoes around the world, this pilot program could serve as a replicable model helping governments and humanitarian agencies to maximize volcanic ash to rebuild more affordably.