You may already know that Deltec Homes became a Certified B Corp in 2016 (and if you didn’t know, guess what!?! We became a Certified B Corp in 2016!). Being a B Corp is about more than just calling yourself one. Every two years, we undergo an assessment from B Lab where we answer questions and supply documents that prove our environmental practices, corporate structure, employee benefits, community involvement, and the environmental benefit of our end product live up to key criteria that brings mutual benefit to our community, our workers, our customers, and our planet.

The assessment covers an array of topics, and many of our key points are things you’ve heard us brag about before: our renewable-energy powered operation, the reduced energy use of our homes, etc.  However, there are a few things we’ve done as part of our certification that you may not have known.

1.  Housing for the Community

Last year we donated over 30 pallets of usable scrap materials to the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.  This material went up for sale in the Asheville Habitat Re-Store, whose proceeds directly fund Habitat’s community housing programs.

2.  Housing for All Creatures

In 2017, we began a partnership with a local nonprofit, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, to provide multiple Deltec structures for their visionary animal sanctuary project .  The sanctuary will have a new energy efficient veterinary clinic, multiple buildings for dogs and cats to expand their no-kill shelter capacity and housing for volunteers to stay on site.  In addition to offering non-profit discounts and project management during their integrated design process, we offer regular meeting space at our office for Brother Wolf to use for their fundraising and community engagement meetings.

3.  Housing For Endangered Species

We have even partnered with local environmental non-profits and the NC Wildlife Resource Commission to use our scrap lumber to build (high quality, wind-resistant) nest boxes for barn owns and for the Carolina Northern Flying squirrel, a federally endangered species. Check out latest interview with one of the new Deltec Homeowner.

4.  Supporting Education in Building Practices

We have created an endowed scholarship fund through a local community college that brings one student each year through a construction management program—teaching a new generation better ways to build. In addition, we regularly tour their students from construction management and sustainable technology classes through our facilities. We have also worked with Appalachian State University students on their Race to Zero competition through the Department of Energy.

5.  Meals on Wheels

We give back to our Asheville community in a number of ways. Our employees have been driving for Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County route for more than 12 years, donating 100+ hours each year to help our community’s elderly stay in their homes by making access to food easier.