Watch the Video on PATH Concept Home (Darlene HUD Secretary)
HOST: Tell us a little bit about the PATH House that you're starting to build in Charleston, South Carolina.
REP: Well, you know I am very excited about the PATH House in Charleston, South Carolina. First of all, we have found that by the government (HOST: Right.) working with the builders to showcase the new technologies like this --
HOST: Is that through HUD?
REP: It is through HUD. And it's HUD's PATH program, Partnership for Advancing Technologies and Housing. (HOST: Right.) We were able to give the builder some seed money, if you will -- (HOST: Right.) -- so that we could begin to show the new processes, new technologies, (HOST: Uh-huh.) especially for this region where we're concerned about hurricane disasters and how to minimize the destruction of the homes and also save lives.
HOST: So the PATH house that was built in Nebraska, it's complete. It's kind of the same process, but we're making this one more hurricane-proof because it's in the Carolinas.
REP: Absolutely. Absolutely. it's the same idea, but you deal with the issues facing that particular market where you're concerned. It's a low-income pricepoint, more affordable, if you will -- (HOST: Right.) -- In Nebraska, that's about two-hundred-twenty-thousand dollars. The product that's being developed in South Carolina, it's more mainstream. (HOST: Right.) It'll be about six-hundred-and-fifty thousand, which means that we will look at newer technologies and new ways to really monitor, for example, energy consumption. Honeywell (HOST: Uh-huh.) is one of the vendors that's willing to participate. And with their technology, we will be able to see the actual use of the energy. They'll get data from the house, actual performance data on their equipment, and actual customer feedback.
HOST: That's something -- As a builder, it's always amazing because I've been in your PATH house -- at the builder's house and stuff, so I was thinking, so it's great technology, it's a little scary for kind of a custom builder like me. But I like to pick and choose some things and learn about it. But it's -- I think the thing that's really interesting is that this technology could be affordable, because you guys are putting it in these homes and making the homes affordable.
REP: Yes, thank you for that. Yeah. We think that by putting it in the homes, builders such as yourself, a custom builder, can see a myriad number of new technologies (HOST: Right.) and like what happened with the plasma screens -- the pricepoint goes down.
HOST: Right. Once the technology's been used, we can see the prices drop.
REP: Absolutely. And you can also see the new construction techniques. We actually had a website developed to see the building process, for example, on the concept home in Nebraska. We are hoping to do the same thing with our concept home in South Carolina.
HOST: Do you know the schedule for the home in South Carolina? When do you think that it's going to be unveiled?
REP: Well, we unveiled the design yesterday. (HOST: Right.) So, we're really pleased about that. And I've been told by the builder to expect something before the end of the year. So honestly, you know this better than -- (BOTH: [LAUGH]) -- You know this better than I -- (HOST: I like -- That's great.) You know this better than I do. The architectural designs have been developed, and so we'll see how it unveils.
HOST: That is awesome. I can't wait to see the home.
REP: You're kind. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
HOST: Thank you.
REP: Thank you so much. [END]
Watch the Video on PATH Concept Home (Darlene HUD Secretary)
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