Energy costs are an unpredictable and unequal burden on household budgets. Fluctuating energy costs can compound environmental and economic disasters and lead to exposures to dangerous conditions and increasing rates of homelessness. Zero energy housing builds resiliency into low-income communities by providing a clean, long-term source of renewable energy. Though residents living in housing solely reliant on renewables for energy benefit from not having energy bills, how do developers manage the upfront costs of installation? Affordable housing is often built by cash-strapped non-profit or mission-oriented for-profit organizations with competing priorities. This session will provide two solutions for financing zero energy affordable housing and one case study of an affordable housing developer building their first zero energy multi-family building, while also fulfilling other goals around public health and poverty alleviation.
CONTINUING EDUCATIONThis session has been approved for the following continuing education credits: