Energy Efficiency Features News
Huntsman, Beyond Foam, ATCO help build energy-efficient Homes For Heroes

June 21, 2021 – The Homes For Heroes Foundation has partnered with several organizations “to get veterans off the street and back into society as proud and productive citizens, by providing energy-efficient insulated homes and services that restore their pride, dignity and self-respect”.

Those partners include Beyond Foam Insulation, a spray foam insulation contractor; Huntsman Building Solutions, a manufacturer and supplier of open- and closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation and coatings; and ATCO, a provider of integrated energy, housing, transportation and infrastructure solutions.

The partnership will result in the construction of “unique, affordable and innovative urban villages to house veterans during their transition back to civilian life and living independently in the long term,” explained Cameron H. Diggon, Capt. (Ret’d), Homes for Heroes Foundation.

“This approach was developed in direct consultation with our Canadian veterans. It is a program developed by veterans for veterans,” added Diggon.

Due to the challenges they face when transitioning back into the community, the partners say veterans are twice as likely as non-vets to experience homelessness, with female veterans twice as likely as their male counterparts to be homeless.

“We are truly thankful for [our veterans’] service and are happy to contribute toward this project,” said Curt Janzen, Beyond Foam, adding the importance of their partner, Huntsman Building Solutions.

Homes For Heroes opened its first Veterans’ Village in Calgary in November 2019. With the help of companies like Beyond Foam, Huntsman Building Solutions and ATCO, 15 Veterans were able to get off the street into a warm, safe home.

The second village, located in Edmonton, will provide over 7000 bed-nights per year for veterans experiencing homelessness. Construction commenced on the homes in April 2021. Homes For Heroes aims to welcome their first cohort of 20 vets by October 2021.

“Our Heatlok Soya HFO applied by Beyond Foam Insulation will make these homes comfortable to live in, and reduce the cost to veterans from an energy efficiency standpoint,” said Joe Upper, Huntsman Building Solutions.

Each “tiny” home comes in at under 300 sf, and is designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce ongoing operating costs, explains the foundation. The homes themselves are sited in a community “designed to create a sense of connection among our residents”.

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