CCLF staff visit Greenline Development, Inc.’s new net zero energy home in Woodlawn for a mid-construction tour

Almost 20 years ago, Benjamin Van Horne started Greenline Development, Inc. While some Chicagoans may hear the company’s name and immediately think of the ‘L’ train, the name actually responds to redlining, the practice of denying services and capital to certain geographic areas based on race. Van Horne wanted to bring affordable housing to underserved areas in Chicago. Today, he continues this mission through the construction of energy efficient homes on Chicago’s South Side.

In February, a group of CCLF staff toured Greenline’s most recent project, a modern home in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood that is targeting net zero energy. In a net zero energy building, the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis will equal the amount of energy created by the building. Every part of the home, from the insulation to the ventilation system, was carefully chosen and implemented in order to reach the net zero goal. Most of Greenline’s constructions are LEED certified to a gold standard or higher, one of the most recognized ratings for energy efficiency in the United States.

Van Horne is no stranger to CCLF. Greenline Development, Inc. has received two loans for the development of affordable condos in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. He also participated in many CCLF workshops, as well as a LEED training series that helped him gain a LEED Green Associate certification. Van Horne stands by the overwhelming benefits of building green homes, saying “the result is not only a home that is more energy efficient, healthy for the occupants, more comfortable, and better for the environment, but you also get a home of an overall higher quality.” This is due to the great detail the green building requires. All of these benefits have led Greenline’s homes to sell quickly once one hits the market.

CCLF is proud of the great work Van Horne is doing and hopes to continue its relationship in order to create more affordable and energy efficient housing throughout Chicago.