GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING

“To make affordable housing truly affordable, we must embrace green building. To make green building truly accessible, we must apply it universally in affordable housing.” - Matt Petersen, President & CEO, Global Green USA

There is an increasing need for housing that is both affordable and “green.” Green building is a process for designing, developing, constructing, and operating buildings and infrastructure using sustainable methods and materials—to provide healthy living environments for people, to reduce the use of energy and natural resources, and to minimize negative impacts on local, regional, and global ecosystems.

Affordable housing is generally considered to be housing for which a household pays no more than thirty percent of its annual income. Specific types of affordable housing (most of which receive some type of government support) include housing for: low-income families and individuals, seniors, the formerly homeless, people with enduring mental or physical disabilities, emancipated foster youth, farm workers, and key members of the workforce such as teachers and police officers. No matter how affordable housing is defined or measured, it is clear that there is a significant shortage of it in the United States. Green building is a tool to help build sustainable communities. Sustainability is generally considered to have three main components: social equity, economy, and environment.

Affordable housing addresses many of the social and economic aspects of sustainability, and the aim of green affordable housing is to integrate all three components. The primary goals of affordable housing development - to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing that contributes to the development of strong and economically vibrant communities— are supported by green building. Green building simply adds another lens through which to view and meet these goals. For example: In addition to a low monthly rent or purchase price, the definition of affordability should also encompass low operating costs (e.g., energy and water bills), low maintenance costs, and proximity to public transportation (to reduce the financial burden of car ownership). The concept of safety should extend beyond physical security to encompass the provision of nontoxic, healthy living spaces. And for a community to be strong, it must be healthy, and its neighborhoods should be walkable and connected to the broader community and the natural environment.

Drawing on over a decade of experience by Global Green staff on technical assistance and policy development, the Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing offers housing developers, designers, advocates, public agency staff, and the financial community specific guidance on green practices and innovative strategies for incorporating green building strategies into the design, construction, and operation of affordable housing developments.

Topics addressed include:

• How green building adds value to affordable housing
• The integrated design process
• Best practices in green design for affordable housing
• Green operations and maintenance
• Innovative funding and finance
• Emerging programs, partnerships, and policies

12 Case Studies Appearing in Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing

Compiled by national green affordable housing expert Walker Wells, the book presents 12 case studies of model developments, including rental, home ownership, special needs, senior, self¬help, and cohousing from around the United States. Each case study describes the unique green features of the development, discusses how they were successfully incorporated, considers the project’s financing and savings associated with the green measures, and outlines lessons learned.

• Arroyo Chico (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
• Brick Hill Cottages (South Portland, Maine)
• Faison Mews (Camden, New Jersey)
• Greenway Park Cohousing (Chicago, Illinois)
• High Point (Seattle, Washington)
• Linden Street Apartments (Somerville, Massachusetts)
• Nageezi House (Nageezi, New Mexico)
• Orchard Gardens (Missoula, Montana)
• Plaza Apartments (San Francisco, California)
• Portland Place (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• The Street Where Dreams Come True (Atlanta, Georgia)

Global Green USA:
Green Affordable Housing Initiative

Global Green USA is the American affiliate of Green Cross International, founded by President Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable secure future. For more than a decade, Global Green has been at the forefront of green affordable housing policy development and technical expertise. Its LEED-accredited green building staff has spearheaded applying green technology in affordable housing projects and schools throughout California and the across the country.