OMAHA, NEB. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in early June completed America's first PATH Concept Home here featuring more than 60 efficient, sustainable and flexible products and systems in one affordable home.

"With the PATH Concept Home, HUD has created a blueprint for the future of the American Dream by using innovative housing technologies that support our goals of sustainability, efficiency and flexibility in an affordable home," HUD Assistant Secretary Darlene F. Williams told the gathering of more than 100 visitors at the ribbon-cutting event and open house held here.

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing program is a publicprivate partnership between the U.S. government and housing industry that works to advance the use of technology in the housing infrastructure.

Architecture firm Torti Gallas and Partners designed the PATH Concept Home Omaha. It meets the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes, Environments For Living; ENERGY STAR; and National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines.

"By using building techniques that create better homes faster, and applying cutting-edge technologies for sustainability and efficiency, I can do a better job of providing durable, comfortable and affordable homes," Concept Home builder Fernando Pagés Ruiz of Brighton Construction said.

The city of Omaha donated the site for the PATH Concept Home. The site, a corner lot located among new affordable homes and historic bungalows, is convenient to both downtown Omaha and Creighton University.

Several leading manufacturers have supported the demonstration project including Masco Corp. and its subsidiaries, Behr, BrassCraft, Merillat, Milgard, Hansgrohe, Delta and Masco Contractor Services' Environments For Living program.

HUD's next PATH Concept Home will be built in Charleston, S.C.

Additional information on the PATH program, including the Concept Home plans and the technologies employed, is available at www.pathnet.org/concepthome.