Belfast, Maine–Senator George Mitchell (D-Maine) joined a number of distinguished guests to help break ground for a first-of-its-kind neighborhood in Maine. Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage is a community of thirty-six energy efficient homes built to the International Passive House (Passivhaus) Standard on a 42 acre setting of rolling hills and pasture in the picturesque coastal town of Belfast.  It’s rural Maine at its best and yet just a short walk or bike ride to downtown.

Thanks to new building technology, the savings on home heating costs in this innovative development are stunning. On the coldest day in January, homeowners will heat their homes with the same amount of energy—2000 watts—that it takes to run a hair dryer. That’s 10 times more efficient than the average new construction project built to code.

Belfast Cohousing and Ecovillage is a “new” old fashioned neighborhood--with friends and neighbors just a few steps away. The homes will be built in close proximity—with privacy out the back door and community out the front door. The heart of this community is the Common House—with its library, playroom, laundry, huge kitchen and dining area—where, five days a week, neighbors can gather for dinner.

Senator Mitchell addressed the members of the Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage development by stating “This project is unique in several aspects, one being the commitment to community but also in a broader sense, its commitment to energy efficiency and environmental concerns.”

Construction, which will generate an estimated 60 jobs, is expected to be complete by December of 2013. The homes will range in size from 500 square feet to 1,700 square feet, with a projected cost of $150,000 to $333,000. Two thirds of the homes have already been sold with only 12 available for sale. See the prototype house at right.

Belfast Cohousing and Ecovillage is a first for Maine as an environmentally conscious community with no dependence upon fossil fuels. 

About Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage

Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage is a community of families who are creating an environmentally sustainable, multi-generational neighborhood that will feature homes based on the German Passive House Standard, acclaimed for their energy efficiency and design. Founded on a commitment to community and concern for the environment, Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage is reserving 85% of its land for agricultural use and open space. It is an innovative and sustainable housing option for living in rural coastal Maine. Find out more at www.mainecohousing.org.