Green Homes and Sustainable Communities

Last week I attended the 5th Annual IPED Conference on Green Homes and Sustainable Communities. This conference brought together over 200 industry leaders in affordable housing and sustainable building to discuss new ways to push the envelope on energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and smart sites. Affordable housing is trending more and more towards being energy efficient and developers are generating significant financial, health, and environmental benefits for their projects and tenants. (Agenda)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan was the keynote speaker. Secretary Donovan said that developing greener buildings and more sustainable communities is the cornerstone of President Obama’s vision for our country. Over the next several weeks, HUD will be finalizing a comprehensive energy action plan that they hope will build on the momentum of Green Retrofit Program created by the Recovery Act (ARRA). Because of the Green Retrofit Program, “private owners of assisted multi-family housing are on their way to retrofitting more than 20,000 units of HUD-assisted housing through HUD’s first one-stop national energy efficiency green retrofit program targeted at improving the performance, heath, and long-term stability of our aging multifamily portfolio.” (Speech) (His Blog Post Regarding the Event)

Developers presented of-the-minute projects that are on the cutting edge of green and affordable housing. These projects were offered as solutions to the one big question which was raised throughout the entire conference: How do you make developing green affordable multi-family housing financially feasible?

The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. However, the way the program is written, it does not work well with the purpose (typically building multi-family units) of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (federal subsidy that has been used to build 90% of affordable housing stock). For example, one conference participant stated that through WAP, she was able to get funding for energy efficient windows, however, not for the scaffolding to install them.

The take away: Although their are solutions to financing green affordable housing, DOE and HUD need to come together to cut the red tape on this issue and allow the developers and tenents of affordable multi-family housing to experience the financial and health benefits of energy efficient buildings.

Sunflower Gardens, Improving New Haven Communities

Mattie Stevenson, a West Haven, CT resident, was awarded a $50 “Seeds of Encouragement” grant from Community Gardens as Appleseeds in order to create a sunflower garden. To Mattie, who feels that gardening is a healing experience, the Sunflower Windmill Garden is the first step toward establishing a strong community in the Hill neighborhood.

Neighborhood Housing Services on New Haven employee RJ Mercede, who is seen in the above picture helping Mattie sow her seeds, obtained the grant for her.

Kevin Ewing, who has gotten involved with Sunflower Windmill Garden through the Neighborhoods of Choice program, says that a garden is a great way for the residents in a community to work together to uplift their community without bringing in outside organizations. He says that the Sunflower Windmill Garden is a great starting point for the Hill neighborhood.

Article from the New Haven Register

Event Spotlight, Hope CDA

Today, I want to spotlight the Hope Community Development Agency (Hope CDA) in Biloxi, Mississippi and their event Phenomenal People Celebration of Healing.

This event, which will take place August 21-29^th, is an opportunity to remember the Mississippi Gulf Coast tragedies, showcasing triumphs and focusing upon joint hope for the future. The week-long event culminating on the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, includes a Gala at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, concert by Rob Thomas, the Coastal Torch Relay, Prayer Brunch, and much more.

Hope CDA has done a great job in uniting community leaders, businesses, and individuals from across the Gulf Coast, and I want to recognize them for the wonderful work they do in their community everyday.

Downtown@700-2nd

Downtown@700-2^nd recently had its grand opening in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The development, a 72-unit $13 million green affordable rental community, is home to formerly homeless persons, those with special needs, retirees and low-wage workers, as well as market-rate residents.

Opened in March and now 90 percent full, Downtown@700-2nd provides fully-furnished units to residents, and has a cafe, community garden and on-site space for service providers. The property is pedestrian friendly with links to bike routes, buses and the Rail Runner commuter train. Government offices, public library, restaurants, shops, services and several of Albuquerque's largest employers are within walking distance.

The Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico (SHCNM) is the state-wide non-profit organization that developed and owns Downtown@700-2^nd. SHCNM’s mission is to prevent and reduce homelessness and to increase the quality of life for people with behavioral health issues in New Mexico by creating affordable, supportive housing in partnership with local communities and member agencies.

The City of Albuquerque donated the land for this site and was funded through the Workforce Housing Trust Fund, the Mortgage Finance Authority Board, and Enterprise Community Partners among others.

By partnering with other public and private actors, SHCNM was able to give the city of Albuquerque a great project for its citizens. Downtown@700-2^nd would have been an impossible undertaking for a lone non-profit organization. Having a community-based non-profit organization spearhead this effort, made it possible for the community to rally around an innovative, and somewhat controversial project. Through creative financing and alliance building, SHCNM was able to make their dream a reality.

Press Release

Housing Recovery vs. Battling the Oil Spill

It now seems as if Congress feels they have to pick which is of greater importance: housing recovery or battling the oil spill. As Katrina’s 5- year anniversary looms, Congress is attempting to reappropriate $112 million in Ike/Gustav recovery funds and $400 million in Katrina Road Home dollars to replenish the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). Why is it so important that the DRF be refunded to the tune of $5.1 billion ? Oil Spill Recovery.

Senator Coburn of Oklahoma claims that these housing recovery funds are unobligated and therefore not needed for housing recovery in the Gulf. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (whose sunset date was June 30^th) wrote a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey stating that the economic meltdown delayed projects due to lack of investors and the tightened credit market. Just because the money is not being used does not mean it is not needed.

Groups like the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers (LAAHP) are advocating against the reappropriation. These groups are arguing that the $ 512 million needs to stay in the Gulf Coast for housing recovery, and if not, it will be a huge setback for the rebuilding effort.

Times-Picayune Editorial

Times-Picayune Letter to the Editor

Why is it one-or-the-other when it comes to helping the people of the Gulf Coast (who by the way are tax payers too)?

Why are American tax payers already being asked to make tough choices and foot the bill for the clean up? I thought BP was supposed to pay for this.

Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 (H.R. 4899)

Rhode Island Station

The Brentwood Neighborhood in NE Washington DC is getting a welcomed addition to the community in the form of a comprehensive development located next to the Rhode Island Metro Station. Rhode Island Station is stepping into the future of community development as a mixed-use, transit-oriented, public-private venture that incorporates smart growth theory, green design elements, and affordable housing. What more could you ask for?

This 107 million dollar project is the product of a joint venture between DC-based developers Urban Atlantic (formerly Mid-City Urban LLC) and Baltimore-based A&R. The mixed-use development will have 70,000 sqf of retail and restaurant space, 10 percent of which will be devoted to locally owned businesses. It’s residential aspect boasts 274 Class A apartments and 20 percent of all units will be affordable housing without subsidies.

The public-private financing that allowed this project to be possible in a down market is a wonder in-and-of itself. The project was leveraged by private equity and coupled with a myriad of public financing tools including the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), DC PILOT financing, and most notably HUD multifamily financing and Federal Treasury New Market Tax Credits.

Rhode Island Station will be located adjacent to Rhode Island Place, developed in 2005, which was a breath of life to the struggling community. The new town center signifies continued reinvestment in a great community that has been struggling over the past 20 years.

Rhode Island Station is wildly popular among community leaders and is being strongly supported by a Who’s Who List of Washington DC. That list includes Mayor Adrian Fenty, Mayoral Candidate Vincent Orange, Advisory Neighborhood Commission President Willam Shelton, Brentwood Civic Association President Earline Frazier, DC Council Member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5), Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos, and the list goes on and on…

Introducing Community Nation!

Happy 4th of July

In honor of our great country and it's wonderful people, I have decided that it is time to put the focus back on our communities.

Everyday I hear about the wonderful things happening to uplift communities throughout our nation. Positive change starts on a local level. I want to spotlight the great community leaders, events, and projects that so often get overlooked, yet deserve to be recognized.

We are a nation built on communities.

Welcome to Community Nation!