Aurora's City Council has approved funding to build the final nine homes at Habitat Green Freedom, the city's first net-zero smart neighborhood, clearing the way for the 8.5-acre subdivision near the intersection of Jericho Road and Edgelawn Drive to reach its full 17-home footprint by 2028. The council authorized just over $1.2 million in federal funding to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley on September 22, along with a development agreement required to put that money to work.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the nine remaining homes — six three-bedroom units and three four-bedroom units — must be completed by February 28, 2028. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, a nonprofit that builds and repairs affordable housing across Cook, Kane and McHenry counties, will construct the homes and won't have to repay the loan as long as it keeps the housing affordable for 20 years and complies with federal regulations. The funding came through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, a federal block grant under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designed to create affordable housing, the paper reports.
The council had already approved initial funding for the nine homes back in February, with September's vote finalizing the development agreement needed to release it. The first Habitat Green Freedom home was unveiled on November 12, 2025.
A Site Years in the Making
The 8.5-acre site was purchased in September 2021 using private and corporate grants, part of an effort estimated at $5.5 million for the full subdivision, according to Kane County Connects. That purchase let local Habitat efforts shift from scattered individual builds to a full master-planned community. Before homes could go up, a separate $1.25 million in Community Project Funding was allocated for infrastructure.
Habitat's zero-interest financing lets qualifying families purchase the homes at fair market value. Per the Tribune's reporting, the nine new homes will be sold to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income, and eligibility is not limited to Aurora residents under federal law. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley will select partner families based on demonstrated housing need, income eligibility, ability to repay an affordable mortgage and willingness to contribute sweat-equity volunteer hours, reviewing employment history, credit history and overall payment capability. Homeowners also complete HUD-certified homebuyer education and maintenance workshops before closing on a home purchased through zero-interest financing at fair market value.
Built for Extreme Weather and Energy Efficiency
The homes incorporate solar panels with battery storage and high-performance insulation, the Tribune notes. The exterior walls use BuildBlock foam-block construction, which is designed for disaster resilience and is associated with 30–40 percent lower utility costs, according to BuildBlock Building Systems. The homes also include solar panels and battery storage.
The neighborhood's energy systems are also the subject of research. Nicor Gas has partnered with GTI Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on research into energy use and utility bills in the neighborhood, according to a release carried by PR Newswire. Smart electrical panels are among the neighborhood's features.
A Regional Partnership
Nicor Gas has also planned a partnership in Carpentersville, according to Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood's community listings. Since its founding in 1988 as Fox Valley Habitat, the affiliate has built or renovated more than 70 homes across Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia and Montgomery, per the City of Aurora, IL.
