The Magic City Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) has joined with Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham and other partners to build the chapter’s 23^rd Habitat home in the Birmingham area.

Construction of the house in Calera, south of Birmingham, began June 1 and is expected to be completed June 10. Media are invited to attend the dedication ceremony at noon Friday, June 10 at the home site. Volunteers are building a Superior Solutions home with many energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features.

“Community empowerment is at the heart of the Alabama Power Foundation and APSO,” said Myla Calhoun, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “Our employees and their families are passionate about serving the community, and APSO gives them many opportunities to do so by working with nonprofits across the state. This partnership between APSO and Habitat is just one example.”

We value our long-term partnership with Alabama Power Service Organization,” said Charles Moore, president & CEO of Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity. “Affordable housing is out of reach for many working households in our community, but they’ve made it possible for the Jackson family in just ten days.”

Several features of the Superior Solutions gold-rated home are expected to produce energy savings for the Jackson family. The new homeowner, Ra’Shuna Jackson, will enjoy Energy Star appliances, lighting and controls as well as energy-efficient heating and cooling and an electric water heater. The all-electric home will receive a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating, which is the industry standard for measuring a home’s efficiency.

Low-toxic paints, caulking and adhesives will make the home cleaner and healthier. Construction materials will be recycled when possible, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

“Because of the energy-efficient features of this home, the Jackson family will really be able to see the difference in their energy savings. This home will showcase some of our highest standards in efficiency and will provide approximately 15 to 20 percent savings for the Jackson family,” said Starla Curry-Hilliard, with Marketing Support at Alabama Power.

The Jackson home site is located at 317 Creek Run Circle in Calera. From Birmingham, take I-65 South to exit 228 (Alabama 25/University of Montevallo Highway). Turn right onto Main Street/Alabama 25. Turn left onto Highway 31. Turn right onto Shiloh Creek Drive and take the second right onto Creek Run Circle. The home site is on the left.

Building Habitat homes is just one of hundreds of projects supported by APSO, a nonprofit organization made up of employees of Alabama Power, and Alabama-based employees of Southern Company, Southern Nuclear and SouthernLINC Wireless. With 10 chapters across the state, APSO volunteers devote their time and resources to support education, protect the environment and improve Alabama communities.   

For details about APSO, the Alabama Power Foundation and Alabama Power’s community initiatives, please visit www.powerofgood.com. For information about energy efficiency, visit www.alabamapower.com. For more information about Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham, please visit www.habitatbirmingham.org.