Community development leaders gathered in the nation’s capital for the Sustainable Design: New Directions for Affordable Housing symposium May 30. Enterprise Community Partners President and CEO Doris Koo spoke at the National Building Museum event, sponsored by the Home Depot Foundation, HUD, Bank of America and the National Housing Endowment. Highlighting the Green Communities initiative, Koo shared the progress made, the challenges ahead and how public policy can deliver tangible benefits to low-income people and the environment. Read the complete speech.
Enterprise Seeks Candidates to Join Green Communities Team
Enterprise is building on the success of Green Communities and expanding our commitment to healthier, more efficient affordable housing and community revitalization. With new products, resources and initiatives under development, we are seeking highly motivated people with interdisciplinary expertise and a deep commitment to social and environmental justice to join us. If you are interested in helping to lead Enterprise’s efforts to make all affordable housing in the United States environmentally sustainable, please email a cover letter and resume.
Washington State Adopts Green Standard for Housing Trust Fund Projects
Washington state has released a new green standard for all affordable housing projects that receive support through the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The new Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard is modeled on and adapted from Enterprise’s Green Communities Criteria. It will apply to all projects starting in the fall 2008 funding round.
The new standard promotes public health, energy conservation, operational savings and sustainable building practices in affordable housing design. Benefits include improved energy performance and thermal comfort, a healthier indoor environment, increased durability of building components and simplified, more cost-effective maintenance requirements.
“Washingtonians must have access to safe, affordable housing and we can provide that in a way that also helps to maintain our quality of life, improve efficiency and reduce costs,” said Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire. “This is an excellent, coordinated effort to better connect green building standards with affordable housing projects.”
The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) developed the new Evergreen Standard in consultation with an advisory group of 12 technical experts, including architects, environmental policy specialists and developers. In a collaborative agreement with Enterprise, the department adapted the Green Communities Criteria to reflect Washington state building and energy codes, and stakeholder input.
CTED is also working with Enterprise to develop a four-part training series to help affordable housing developers understand and comply with the new criteria. Read more.
National Conference on Sustainable Affordable Homes and Communities
Enterprise and the Institute for Professional and Executive Development are again cosponsoring the national symposium on sustainable affordable homes and communities. The conference, July 19-20 in San Francisco, brings together the developers, designers, housing professionals and public agency staff that are leading a transformation of affordable housing across the country. Complete information and online registration.
Major Green Affordable Housing Proposals Advance in Congress
A bill recently passed by the House of Representatives (H.R. 1427) that strengthens the federal financial oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac includes an Enterprise-recommended provision giving the companies extra credit toward meeting their affordable housing goals for purchasing mortgages on properties that are energy efficient or otherwise environmentally sustainable. The bill could start to mainstream mortgage products that recognize and encourage more sustainable homes and developments. It is unclear whether the Senate will pass a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac reform bill this year. Nevertheless, the House bill marks an important step in establishing a green policy in the legislative framework.
Rep. Bob Olver (D-Mass.), chair of the House subcommittee that funds affordable housing programs, has introduced a bipartisan bill (H.R. 2536) to reauthorize the HOPE VI revitalization program that would require Green Communities Criteria for all housing, and U.S. Green Building Council standards for non-residential buildings in HOPE VI projects. This is the first time federal legislation has referenced Green Communities. Significantly, the bill's original cosponsors include Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the House’s two top housing policymakers. There is a good chance Congress will reauthorize HOPE VI this year.
Congress is also developing energy and affordable housing tax bills that could contain incentives for energy-efficient affordable housing. Enterprise is working with House and Senate leaders to develop proposals for inclusion in these bills. Enterprise Community Partners Trustee and visionary green developer Jonathan F. P. Rose recently testified on Enterprise's behalf before a subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. Read the testimony.
New Report Highlights Model for Market Transformation
Affordable Housing’s Green Future, by Tony Proscio, describes the remarkable results of a coalition of funders, developers and policymakers to make all affordable housing in Minnesota environmentally sustainable in the near future through the Minnesota Green Communities initiative. The report offers lessons learned for stakeholders in other states who are committed to a market transformation in affordable housing. Read the report.
Green Communities Profile: Ripley Gardens, Minneapolis, Minn.
One example of the Minnesota success story is Ripley Gardens, which shows that sustainability and historic preservation can be one and the same. The development, registered on both the National and Local Registers of Historic Places, will transform a historic hospital building in north Minneapolis into 52 rental apartments and eight owner-occupied townhomes for people earning low to moderate incomes. Developed by Central Community Housing Trust, Ripley Gardens will incorporate a wide range of sustainable design elements, including adaptive re-use of existing historic structures; pedestrian-friendly site design and nearby public transportation; energy-efficient lighting and controls; storm water retention; healthy paints, sealants and adhesives; and interior finish materials using recycled content. View the project profile.
Green Communities Profile: 275 10th Street Supportive Housing, San Francisco
More than 130 adults who have experienced chronic homelessness will soon call 275 10th Street Supportive Housing home. Developed by Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, the project will serve individuals with multiple special needs or disabilities, including mental health issues, substance addiction and HIV/AIDS. Residents will have access to a full array of supportive services as well as the benefits of living in a healthy green home with easy transit access. View the project profile.
