The affiliates in Chicagoland strive to be environmentally conscious. It is very important to that they provide affordable housing that is also environmentally sustainable and energy efficient. One of the eight affiliates, Habitat for Humanity Lake County, built the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Habitat affiliate home in the State of Illinois.
Many affiliates in the Chicagoland area employ the following 'green' energy efficient building practices: