When high-quality housing is made available to vulnerable populations, residents can experience lower operating costs, enhanced quality of life, and a greater sense of stability and community. A high priority for USGBC is advocating for affordable housing that is resilient and high-performing, because everyone deserves a safe and healthy home.

Low-income residents experience a disproportionate burden related to energy and water consumptions costs when compared to the general population. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), nearly one-third of U.S. households reported facing challenges in paying their energy bills or sustaining enough heating and cooling in their homes. Of this group, 14% of households reported receiving a disconnection notice for energy service due to nonpayment. Reducing energy costs through improved efficiency increases housing affordability and household financial stability.

Green strategies for affordable housing

Energy efficiency strategies can be used to support greater affordability in housing for low-income residents. For example, a study by Virginia Tech found that residents saved, on average, $54 per month on their electricity bills when energy efficiency was incorporated into the affordable rental housing stock in Virginia. As adopted in the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, green building systems are used in addition to specific strategies like a programmable thermostat, a high-performing water heating system, and energy efficient windows, according to the study.

In residential projects, LEED encourages achieving energy and water efficiency, healthy indoor environmental quality, proximity to public transit, and design for maximum occupant comfort. Projects that earn LEED certification must meet minimum levels of energy performance, among other requirements. In addition, projects can earn points by achieving higher levels of energy performance, incorporating enhanced envelope insulation, installing energy-efficient appliances and maximizing the energy performance of a home’s windows. LEED projects also support positive health outcomes including enhanced air quality, resident access to physical activity and the outdoors, and use of environmentally preferable materials.

Smart policy that supports high-performing, green affordable housing

USGBC advocates for affordable housing that is energy-efficient, resilient, healthy and equitable. We work to promote the integration of sustainability and green building into affordable housing policy at the local, state and federal levels. By supporting high-quality green housing for low-income residents, we can help sustain a more promising future for all.

Direct advocacy is done by USGBC to encourage the incorporation of LEED and green building support policies in legislation and in regulations at all levels of government. This has included improvements to, and increased funding for, the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and related state Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs). This work can encompass support for enhanced requirements for energy efficiency in affordable housing—including, for example, certifying to Energy Star standards, as well as requirements to earn LEED certification.

USGBC advocacy for incorporation of LEED into affordable housing policy

In 2020, USGBC saw several improvements to state QAPs, the state-developed plans that determine the allocation of LIHTC funding. This year, Georgia reinforced the value of LEED certification by approving its 2021 QAP with requirements in place for all LIHTC-funded projects to earn green building certification, including LEED. In Connecticut, LEED was embraced in the state’s 2020 QAP as well. Connecticut’s QAP saw LEED added to its list of acceptable paths to earning additional competitive points in the High Performance Design category. Both states, while different in terms of demographics and geography, share the common value of ensuring high-quality affordable housing to state residents.

See USGBC’s comments submitted during the development of the 2021 Georgia QAP and the 2020 Connecticut QAP in support of policies supportive of LEED and green building.

In 2020, USGBC provided input for several states’ QAPs, including Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Although these states have varied demographics, geographies and priorities, it is important for USGBC to advocate for the advancement of green building policy in each area, as every person deserves a high-quality, healthy place to call home.

Often, we find that state housing finance agencies are not knowledgeable about energy efficiency and green housing, and may be worried about cost or otherwise reluctant to make changes. Local USGBC members can be very helpful in educating these agencies. We will continue to conduct outreach to these and other states to urge improvement in their housing standards and to incentivize or require green housing. To get involved, join our Advocacy Working Group.

USGBC’s 2020 policy brief Green and Affordable: Qualified Allocation Plans expands on our priorities for state QAPs and provides an overview of our recent advocacy work. We encourage you to review this resource, as well as to consult your home state’s QAP to see where policy stands on green building.

The availability of green affordable housing is a high priority for USGBC and is consistent with our organizational values. USGBC continues to build on our advocacy successes by addressing more areas of need for those most vulnerable. This includes the release of our equity strategy USGBC All In, as announced during Greenbuild 2020, which includes a commitment to funding for 500 people in underserved communities to earn their LEED professional credential.

Resources

Join the Advocacy Working Group

Actions in Advocacy: High-performing affordable housing