Fairburn Commons,

a unique new subdivision, was officially opened by Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes

last week.

Just a block

south of Fairburn City Hall, it is a development featuring the EarthCraft

homes, which are built with all of the latest energy-saving techniques

known today. Among benefits to the home buyer are the prevention of bugs,

mold and pollutants and the savings in energy, time and money.

The average

1,800-sq. ft. EarthCraft home will cost an average of only 75 cents a

day to both heat and cool. Though the homes can cost as much as 3 percent

more to build, the savings is soon realized.

Barnes announced

that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has begun a demonstration

program to offer special down payment assistance loans to first time home

buyers purchasing the EarthCraft houses.

He said DCA

has set aside special financing for buyers in Fairburn Commons, a subdivision

home buyers purchase the energy-efficient homes.

We can be proud,

Barnes said, that Georgia is already ahead of many states with regard

to home ownership. While close to 67 percent of Americans own a home,

in Georgia that number reaches 70 percent, he said.

Because DCA

has teamed up with EarthCraft and can offer down payment loans of up to

$7,500, qualified first-time buyers can use this loan for a down payment,

closing costs, prepaid expenses or principal reduction.

This program

is good for the economy, but more importantly it will help more Georgians

realize their dream of owning a home, which in turn, will strengthen our

communities, Barnes said.

Taking part

in the program was DCA Commissioner Jim Higdon, Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah,

Jeff Rader, director and vice president, Greater Atlanta Home Builders

Association, and Dennis Creech, executive director, Southface Energy Institute.

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