PORTLAND, Ore. - Natural Home magazine has named a Portland neighborhood one of the greenest in America, and it hasn’t even been built yet.

Construction is just starting off Northeast Killingsworth Street and Northeast 64th Avenue. As workers saw through their first slabs of foundation, dozens of prospective buyers are dreaming about new homes in the Helensview development. There’s a long list of people hoping to buy the homes. By spring, 40 single-family homes and 12 condominiums will be built there.

The non-profit group HOST, which stands for Home Ownership a Street at a Time, is developing the project. One of its missions is to help low-income renters become homeowners. Executive Director John Miller showed us a model 3 bedroom home in HOST’s New Columbia neighborhood. He said Helensview homes will be similar. The houses will range from $190,000 to $230,000. They’ll be constructed using green building practices: advanced framing that allows for more insulation, fireplaces that function as heat sources and energy efficient appliances and lights.

"Sometimes utility bills and other things can be pretty high, and it can be a pretty big part of your monthly budget, so we've worked hard to minimize that here," Miller said.

There are fans that keep the air clean, new carpets made from recycled materials and little or no toxics in the paint, fixtures and cabinets. The homes will be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, or LEED. Helensview stands out because the entire development has earned that recognition.

It scores points because it's being built on a previously developed site. An old farmhouse on the property will be renovated and sold. The profits will be used to help build the new homes. Sustainable site features such as green streets and stormwater management also helped Helensview earn its LEED certification. The landscaping will be drought resistant, and water will be drained on site. The homes will also sit just feet away from TriMet’s No. 72 bus line. Residents will be able to ride the bus to stores, schools, banks and restaurants, reducing their dependence on cars.

There’s still a lot of work to be done, but Miller is looking forward to move-in day. He said the new owners will be able to rest easy, knowing the cost of maintaining their homes won’t be a hardship in Helensview.

"That's a thrill, to pass the keys across. Oftentimes there's never been ownership, even for generations back," Miller said. "We really see this as a great stepping stone for folks and families to really start to build some wealth and equity and really take a part in the American dream."

To learn more about the non-profit group Home Ownership a Street at a Time, click here.