Richmond Habitat homes blend in with Highland Park neighbors

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity is trying to have its homes blend in.

Volunteers for the local nonprofit organization built two homes in Richmond's Highland Park neighborhood using a James Hardie cement fiber siding. The siding is simulated to look like wood planking, allowing the homes to look similar to the architectural style of the neighborhood.

"The new homes blend seamlessly with the other homes on the block, most of which are constructed with wood clapboard siding," Richmond Habitat Executive Director Leisha LaRiviere said. "This is a salute to community aesthetics. We are trying to situate a house that blends in and in a pleasing fashion of what already exists in the neighborhood."

It is the first time that Richmond Habitat has used the cement siding, and the organization plans to use it on all future homes, LaRiviere said. The color is applied in the factory through a baked-on color process providing a finish that resists peeling, chipping and fading. That means it requires less long-term maintenance, she said.

The two new Richmond Habitat homes on East Brookland Park Boulevard were built on adjacent lots that were donated in December 2007 by Randy and Meade Welch of Glendale Homes, a real estate development company. These lots were among 21 that the couple donated.

Getting the land donated significantly lowers the cost of building, LaRiviere said, allowing the homes to remain affordable.

The two-story homes were each built with a $65,000 donation from Bank of America and Capital One and by volunteers from the two financial institutions. The Bank of America-sponsored home was dedicated last week.

One house has about 1,368 square feet and three bedrooms. The other is a 1,080-square-foot home with two bedrooms.

Both houses have been completed but await final inspection and finishing touches. The homeowners should move in this month, LaRiviere said. -- Gregory J. Gilligan