Neighbors may be "green" with envy, once two EcoMod houses in the Poplar Creek Subdivision are complete, and that day is fast approaching, South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel told council on Monday.

Although construction has been somewhat delayed due to a wet spring, final landscaping and construction of the ramps and decks should begin soon, according to Daniel.

Screening for tenants should begin in July, and a formal ribbon cutting and open house are scheduled for August.

One of the houses, referred to as the "passive" house, is built with SIPS (structural insulated panel) technology, 12-inch walls insulated with Styrofoam in addition to energy efficient windows and doors.

The other, referred to as the "code" house, conforms to existing building codes, including the use of 2x4 studs and batt insulation, Daniel said.

Both houses have wood frames and the same basic footprint, including a membrane roof.

University of Virginia architecture students will monitor both houses for energy usage.

The project is a cooperative effort between the Town of South Boston, University of Virginia, SIPs of Blairs, SVHEC and Cardinal Homes of
Wylliesburg.

Southside Outreach Group, a non-profit organization that assists low-to-moderate income persons in obtaining affordable, safe housing, will begin a vetting process to find families to make the houses their homes.

Both houses will be "rent-to-own," and families have to meet a certain income guideline earning 80 percent of the median income for the area.

Future plans call for the town to apply for a Community Development Block Grant this fall for development and construction of streets, sidewalks and water and sewer services for the Poplar Creek subdivision.

Southside Outreach Group is looking to acquire grant funding for rental homes to accommodate low- to moderate-income families for the Poplar Creek development, in addition to the development of Miller Homes at Poplar Creek.