Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Habitat for Humanity expand mutual support for responsibly built affordable homes

14 February 2014 News

In an agreement of support between the two organizations, PEFC’s North American member the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Habitat for Humanity International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and pledged to expand the cooperation between the two groups by encouraging the use of wood products certified to the SFI Standard on Habitat construction sites.

"SFI and Habitat for Humanity International share common values: an equally strong commitment to communities of North America and the sourcing of certified building materials from responsibly managed forests," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI. "I look forward to working together to build a better future for our forests and our communities for years to come."

SFI and many of its program participants have sponsored Habitat builds by supplying building materials certified to the SFI Standard to Habitat affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. SFI has also worked with the National Association of Home Builders and Built Green Canada to support green building certification of Habitat homes.

"Habitat for Humanity supports environmentally responsible construction of durable, healthy and sustainable homes," said Larry Gluth, Senior Vice President, U.S. and Canada, Habitat for Humanity International. "As part of Habitat's efforts to enhance the environmental footprint of each Habitat home, we are pleased to partner with SFI to encourage Habitat affiliates' use of wood products from organizations certified to the SFI Standard."

There are many green building rating systems that recognize the value of multiple forest certification standards and offer credits for products certified to these forest certification standards. Green building rating tools like the ANSI/ICC 700-2012: National Green Building Standard and Built Green Canada recognize wood certified to the SFI standard. SFI works with those organizations that support multiple forest certification standards including SFI.