Champion Homes and iUnit Communities Bring Innovative, Energy-Efficient Housing to Virginia

TROY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Champion Homes is strengthening its commitment to affordable, sustainable housing in North America with a new arrangement with iUnit Communities to build attainable and environmentally responsible homes in Accomack County, Va.

This arrangement with prefab home builder and developer iUnit Communities leverages an Innovation Grant from Virginia Housing. Two modular cottages called the Innovation Cottages will be built at Champion Homes’s Liverpool, Pa., factory as a part of the initiative.

iUnit Communities Founder Brice Leconte, a recognized leader in the factory-built construction industry, has established long-standing relationships with organizations focused on energy efficiency. Working with Champion Homes, iUnit Communities developed a 380-square-foot modular studio apartment that has been used as a prototype for joint research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Dozens of renewable energy-focused organizations have toured the prototype apartment.

The effort began when iUnit Communities partnered with Accomack County officials to submit a grant proposal for the Innovation Cottages, highlighting the importance of local collaboration in advancing housing innovation.

iUnit Communities and Champion put together a winning combination of viable systems to meet the rigorous energy efficiency standards for the homes.

An essential part of the project is GAF Energy’s award-winning solar shingle roofing system, Timberline Solar™. The Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingle, the world's first nailable solar shingle, boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a quarter inch, making it the optimal solar product for manufactured and modular homes due to its minimal load, lift withstanding, and travel capabilities. In addition to traditional installation on site-built construction or during roof replacement on existing homes, Timberline Solar™ can be seamlessly integrated into modular homes during offsite construction in the factory and safely shipped to the building site.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottages will also feature Insul-Stud®, a new energy efficient building material by Moment Innovations, LLC, a Virginia-based component manufacturer. The makers of Insul-Stud® claim that it is engineered to eliminate thermal bridging and uses one-third less lumber than a traditional 2x6 stud.

About iUnit Communities

iUnit Communities builds sustainable communities where cutting-edge technology intersects with sustainable building practices to allow users to take action and make smart living choices in their daily lives.

About Virginia Housing

Virginia Housing advances its mission to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing by operating as a public-private partnership, delivering superior, long-term financial performance to optimize resources. Virginia Housing is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion among our associates, customers and affordable housing partners.