Purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes and rehabilitate them to include energy, conservation, and accessibility features. Sell homes to qualified buyers that meet income requirements within NSP criteria.

In all activities and rehabilitation work, H2O will follow specific guidelines so that all H2O homes conform to the following principles:

	Energy Efficiency H2O homes will feature Energy Star certified energy saving appliances and HVAC systems to reduce monthly costs while maintaining proper levels of comfort and home health. Energy efficient homes mean less use of electricity which means lower utility bills. Savings on utility bills means more money for other important expenses.
	Conservation The concept of Conservation is very, very close to that of Sustainability, except that conservation implies a greater relationship to the surrounding environment while sustainable is a concept more oriented towards the physical structure itself and its future. Even so, both concepts are interrelated. As much as possible, H2O homes adopt principles of conservation and sustainability, both for the house itself and the environment. H2O homes will be situated (facing north/south) to facilitate heating and cooling issues. H2O homes will incorporate environmentally friendly, non-toxic materials. H2O homes will have energy efficient appliances and HVAC systems. H2O homes will have “On-demand” water heaters, low-flow toilets, faucet and showers to conserve water. Landscaping for H2O homes will incorporate drought tolerant, indigenous plants and use satellite controlled irrigations system to save additional water. H2O homes will also, when possible, use both local and natural low-impact products to save costs and energy required to produce and transport those materials. Conservation of natural resources and care for our environment are integral elements of H2O design philosophy and construction.
	Quality Quality work on a home starts with a clear set of objectives. H2O has prepared a set of basic criteria with detailed specifications as to what features are required in our homes to make them efficient, safe and durable. A key factor in quality is experience. The H2o construction teams has decades of experience in home design, construction and maintenance. H2O team members come from some of the most prominent and highest performing companies in the home building industry. This insures that the right materials and appropriate system are built into every H2O home. Another aspect of quality is inspection. All H2O homes are inspected multiple times at each phase of rehab to ensure that work in being properly carried out by qualified contractors using proper materials to achieve the best results possible. Each contractor is held accountable for its work.
	Durability H2O homes use the most appropriate materials for every aspect of home design to make a house better. H2O homes will comply with current stringent building codes and safety requirements mandated by official building codes. These codes regulate home design and construction, strength and durability, fire resistance, use of non-toxic materials, and basic standards of energy efficiency. They also prescribe the performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal, and electrical systems. This means that H2O homes will last longer and require lower less maintenance. Note also that H2O offers an extended 2-year warranty on its homes to give the buyer peace of mind when it comes to potential home repairs and/or maintenance.
	Affordability Home affordability has two basic factors: 1. the cost of the house, and 2. the financial situation of the buyer. H20 works on both factors to make our homes right for you. Under Federal regulations for the NSP program, H20 homes must be sold below market price. This means an instant savings for the buyer. H2O also provides a diversified and comprehensive array of services including mortgage counseling and financial advice to help buyers find a home that is right for them. Note also that the many green resources put into H2O homes also contribute significantly to affordability. Energy efficient, resource-conserving cost less to maintain and operate, providing an extra boost to the family budget.
	Accessibility As much as possible during upgrading of its homes, H2O will also incorporate features to make life easier for families, including those with disabilities. This means extra-wide hallways, larger kitchens and many special ADA elements in bathrooms. When feasible, H2O will adapt and modify existing spaces during rehab and add specialized components in rooms and common areas that will provide a safe, secure and obstacle-free environment not just for the physically challenged person, but for all members of a household.
	Healthiness A healthy home is the sum of the many factors that relate to health and safety. Healthy homes are built to provide improved indoor air quality, with safety and accessibility features for comfortable living. Healthy homes incorporate non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials. H2O is committed to providing well ventilated, safe, dry, accessible, and comfortable homes to make life better for our families. Note that the concept of “comfort” is an important aspect of the idea of “safe”. A home that is too hot or cold, or that is not ventilated properly, may cause health issues or force the family to use additional resources (space heaters, Portable fans, etc.) that may be costly or unhealthy. An H2O home will be a safe environment for the homebuyer, free from hazardous materials and optimized for comfortable living.
	Wrapping it up... It is easy being green—if you plan it that way from the beginning. Green homes are part of green living and include all of the goals above. Each and every aspect of green living is interrelated in many ways. Green homes are safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more durable than conventional homes and will greatly improve the overall quality of life for the homeowners. Green homes both help the owner and benefit the environment. In addition there are tangible economical benefits like lower operating costs, enhanced durability, less maintenance and optimized life cycle economic performance. Most of all, green homes and green living are smart choices that benefit all of us and make for a better future.
	Learn more... See our H2O Green Home page for a detailed list of all green features that go into every H2O home to make them energy efficient, resource-saving, environmentally friendly and healthy.

An overview of the HAMC Neighborhood Stabilization Program

	The goal of Homes to Owners (H20) is to Connect People to Green Homes. H2O will purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes in Goodyear, Buckeye, and El Mirage , Arizona and rehabilitate them to include energy, conservation, and access features. Homes will be sold to qualified buyers that meet income requirements within NSP criteria.
	Focus will be given when purchasing homes to insure they are grouped together to maximize impact on the community.
	Homes will be updated to meet or exceed Energy Star standards set for the Arizona region, and will reduce energy usage, water usage, & carbon footprint by 2009 federal standards by > 15%.
	H2O will identify owners that fit within the income requirements. Overall NSP requirements require 75% of funds to be used for buyers 120% of median income or less. 25% of the funds are required to be for 50% of median income or less.
	Owners will receive counseling, become qualified, be matched to a home, buy a home at discount, and receive a two year warranty experience.
	A distinct logo/brand using "H20 Arizona" will be the focal point to build public response and differentiate this program from other programs.
	This website, www.homes2owners.org, will be the primary information tool where potential clients are guided. Our goal is to provide simple straight forward information about the program and process, while educating about the Green Building Science in their new home.