LCLT’s most recent housing neighborhood Common Ground was awarded first prize in the “new construction” category by the National Association of State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2010. Common Ground, completed in 2009, is a sustainable net zero energy project and received its award in part due to LCLT’s publication of the manual Land, Water, Energy, Resource Use: A System’s Approach. Features include straw bale construction with earthen plaster, rainwater catchment, solar hot water and a grid-tied solar electric system. This is a mixed-income development of 11 homes and 2 rental units along with an office/resource center.

The need for a second housing project became apparent, and in 1994 another cooperative of seven homes was completed. Once again a group of homeowners formed crews to build foundations, frame and finish their homes. Interns, community volunteers and tradespersons gave many hundreds of hours of labor.

On May 10th, 2003 more than 250 people attended the Innisfree Open House, joining LCLT and the new residents in celebrating the completion of eight new homes. Visitors were impressed with the elegant and efficient design, and admired the rain catchment tanks for garden use and passive solar features of the homes.

Morgantown is the first neighborhood designed by LCLT. The groundbreaking ceremonies occurred on May 2, 1992 and construction began immediately on seven homes. Much of the labor for construction came from homeowners (contracting from 24-30 hours per week), volunteers, and interns. Interns were recruited locally and from universities. They were offered on-the-job construction experience, housing, and a small stipend.