Habitat Wins National House Design Contest

Owensboro, KY – Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County accepts the 2024 Best in Durability award in a nationwide house design contest sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie.

“This is a very special award,” said Jeremy Stephens, Executive Director at Habitat. “For the last two years, Habitat Owensboro-Daviess County has been pushed by our Board of Directors to serve our community in broader capacity by producing more housing units annually, but also ensuring the units are resilient and durable so new Habitat homeowners have a dependable home for years to come,” Stephens concluded.

The contest was open to over 1500 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation and was comprised of four categories; Accessibility, Hazard Resiliency, Sustainability, and Durability.

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Habitat Owensboro-Daviess County was awarded the 2024 Best in Durability and received the recognition at the National Conference in Atlanta on Monday, March 4th.

The award winning design was made in collaboration with local architect, Paul DiGiorgio of Di Giorgio Design / ICF Home Design.

“It is an honor for me to use whatever God given talent and experience I have toward the betterment of others,” said DiGiorgio. “Habitat’s mission aligns with principles I believe we were put here to fulfill. So I always seek opportunities to be involved, and I am always met by volunteers and workers who are so friendly and positive who truly glorify the mission in their actions,” DiGiorgio concluded. Di Giorgio Design applies 30 years of home building and design experience, with a thoughtful process to help builders and home buyers bring their vision to reality.

The criteria of the award to determine a winner was design and supportive resources that produce a home better able to withstand damage from normal conditions, normal use, and natural aging. Habitat Owensboro-Daviess County took the design even further by adding components from fortified roofing systems, ADA compliance regulations, and standards used for individuals to age with their home.

“Our organization is humbled to be recognized at the national level,” said Jeremy Stephens, Executive Director at Habitat. “In the last two years we have made a concentrated effort to show the value of investing in affordable housing within our community. However, recognition like this does not afford us the time to stop and celebrate. The need is too great to do so,” Stephens continued.

Habitat continues its record year in construction and will complete double the amount of its historical housing unit build in 2023-2024.

It will also complete the United States’ first ever homeownership education and training center. Lastly, in 2024-2025 it will begin its first community build on the east side of Daviess County.