I DO know this family. Well, its been awhile but I worked with both Howie and his wife at the scenic about 8 years ago. They were and probably still are very kind people and I am really happy for them.

E -
I get your point and agree to the extent that it would be great to help more than one family. However, in the interest of fairness, this particular build is specifically being built with green components and in an energy efficient manner. This is one reason they chose Builder's Commonwealth as the builder - they wanted someone who was familiar with sustainable building practices. 
I would argue that the premise of the show is less about helping one family and more about how a community can accomplish a lot when many people come together, no matter what the cause is - but that's my soapbox, not yours. As my granny Irene used to say, "Many hands make light work." I'd like to see something like this continue on a smaller scale just as you described. I wonder how that could work?

Good point Brian.
As for Locavore, I am sticking to my points with further explanation. I do know that Builders Commonwealth is a good builder, and that they do beautiful work, but the problem is exactly what you state. I am going to rant now...
You say this house is "being built with green components and in an energy efficient manner". That, in reality, means NOTHING. Can you even tell me what it means, specifically, for this project? 
Every builder from here to the moon will say that about every project they build. My stance is "Prove it!". Do a blower door test, release the specifications on the window U-values, and wall R-values. Show me how the house is designed for passive solar gain and to resist excessive solar gain in the summer. Show me the water saving plumbing layout and LED light fixtures. You never get that from Extreme Makeover because it is not present.
They may say it is "Energy Star Rated",but that is a very low bar to jump, barely above code minimuns. Minnesota EEE is better, but not a lot. At least they require third party verification of the air tightness. 
Using low VOC paints doesn't make it a "green" project when the house is loaded with energy sucking phantom load electronics, but they will tell you it is "green" every chance they get.
The show could showcase and inform about good practice in design and construction, but all you will hear about it the mural on the kid's room wall which he will hate two years from now.
Don't be fooled by the green-washing.

E.

The show exists to sell ads. That is a fact. They get their materials for free or cheap because they give them advertisements. That is just like selling ads.

They get a ton of press from these things, that is why they do them all over the US. It increases exposure.

It comes down to mass marketers asking for stuff for free. Kudos to them for the good idea, but I will not tune in.

I hope the builders are getting paid, because the personalities sure are.

Sure, some cynicism is warranted since every television show out there is supported by ads - this one is no exception.
I have seen the construction schedule but I'm also under a confidentiality agreement. I can say that I know the family will now have safe drinking water and proper waste disposal. There is definitely more than greenwashing going on. I know what the roof material is and that alone is a big step in the right direction. There's more, but the gist is that I just can't buy that the house will be poorly built with what I've seen. I really wish I could say more, but I just hope you hold out judgement until you see the actual build. I think you'll be impressed at what they are doing. I was skeptical too until I saw what was happening - at least on paper.
As for the food, ABC is covering breakfast and lunch every day. It's the other meals they are going to local businesses for. The rumor mill at my end is that they had more offers than meals they needed.  I hadn't heard that the network caterers were soliciting donations. That's a new one on me and sad if it is true. I just hope it's a good thing in the end for the family.

Second Bev

4th bev

Some of Superior's building codes are even tougher then duluth.  You cant even erect one of those backyard storage sheds Menards sells on their sidewalk without a permit.

Okay, from the article in the paper today it sounds like they might be doing most things right, which would be a radical departure from the norm, but they do deserve credit where due. 2300 square feet is a reasonable size for a family of 4-6. Triple pane windows can make a big difference depending upon the glazing spec, assuming they are installed correctly, which I WILL assume because Builder's Commonwealth is a good builder.
I am also assuming they are building it with SIPs which will give them a very good R-value. SIPs alone don't guarantee a tight house, but again I am assuming that Builder's will seal it well too. The article also states that they are taking solar gain into consideration which is huge. Sounds like they are doing their part to sort and recycle the demolished structure as well. So, I will give them a reprieve from my previous rants, for the time being. I may even sing their praises one day if this becomes a trend rather than an exception. I still do contend, however, that a blower-door test should be done. Who knows, maybe they will actually do it.
I would also like to think that it is our local building ethic that put many of these things into play, but we may never know that for sure.
Maybe I will even watch part of the show while eating a slice of humble pie, but probably not because Ty is still really annoying.

I have to give credit to E. for backing off his earlier comments.  Very few people on forums like this admit they may have been wrong on their earlier rants.  Not sure if they will do the blower test or not.  If they choose not to, I'm sure it will be more of a time consideration than anything.  Builders is capable of building a tight and efficient house.  I was also quite happy to hear that the house is only going to be 2300 sq ft.  It's going to make it much easier for us to paint it come Friday.  And I do agree that a lot of the McMansions the show usually builds are totally impractical and a waste of resources.  Hopefully we'll set a trend with this build.

I've been out at the site all week and I can tell you that they're doing it up right: Wind turbine, solar panels (won't be here in time for the family's return, though), composting trough with worms, extensive gardens, metal roof, and the team was able to keep all existing trees except for one, plus move in a lot of new foliage...even transplant some of the original family's vegetable which are doing remarkably well. What a true community effort.  Kind of makes me wish we could work so well together on other community projects, but perhaps this will get the fires burning.

With my luck, here's what would happen if Ty and the gang decided to build a house for me. They'd do their pre-interview, we'd discuss the awesomeness of guitars, drums, kayaks, oscilloscopes, power tools, gin and tonics, art, vintage barware, bikes, Ween, and Ren & Stimpy. Then they'd look through my stuff, see a "Sound of Music" VHS tape on the shelf, and surprise me with a Julie Andrews-themed bedroom.

Well, we went out there on Sunday and I do not regret one second of the 45 minute drive out there.  The people were really nice.  The scale of the build was astonishing, but the house, as Tony D noted, was of a human scale.  NOT ostentatious, I would say.  We saw both Ty and Paige and they smiled and waved and my girls swoomed, especially for Ty.  They had at least a truck load of donated food, and I liked seeing the many many local businesses and contractors who had been around helping.  

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I would not mind a Julie Andrews themed room so much.  Keeping in mind that you are dealing with Disney and there are far worse things they could come up with for my tastes ... 

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=57234  to get you started