|
There are many things that come to mind when you hear the word “sustainability.” For some the term likely conjures up images of alternative energy systems and “green buildings” like the new convention center, while for others this surely conjures up images of sustainable economies and strong socially responsible local businesses. But not many people would immediately think of affordable housing as a sustainability issue. In fact, there are many ways that affordable housing contributes to the both the environmental and the social sustainability in our community.
Green building is an issue at the forefront of global sustainability and climate change. The US Energy Information Administration estimates that 48 % of US carbon emissions are the result of buildings. This issue has long been on the radar of affordable housing developers. While it is logical to focus on purchase price or monthly mortgage payment as the measurement of affordability, lifecycle costs play an important financial role in homeownership. For many low and middle-income buyers, ongoing utility bills can be a third as much as the mortgage payment, even in a home that meets basic energy requirements. Compound this with energy costs that have risen dramatically over the last eight years, and this can spell trouble for new homeowners. Because energy efficient homes cost less to operate, homeowners have a better long-term chance to sustain homeownership. Sustained homeownership contributes to a sustainable community.
The Housing Trust has developed over 350 affordable homes in Santa Fe, all with a constantly evolving set of energy-saving measures that reduce overall energy
|
and water consumption and make homeownership more healthy, environmentally responsible, and affordable. Our most aggressively-green homes are found in a neighborhood called Arroyo Chico. With a passive solar site layout and home design, paired with super-insulated shells, these houses have utility bills that are about one third of a conventional house. This amounts to real saving month-to-month and increased economic security over the long run.
The tradition of The Housing Trust’s sustainable development is embodied in the ElderGrace elder co-housing community. A model of both social and environmental sustainability, this project was planned for over two years in conjunction with the future homeowners and broke ground in July 2008. This neighborhood will emphasize community space and interaction, provide opportunity for the residents to participate in co-care, and more gracefully “age in place.” The homes are smaller than most, but in turn, the neighborhood has a generously sized community house that will host an array of regular social and community events. ElderGrace will also be a certified Enterprise Community Partners “Green Community” and a LEED Neighborhood Design pilot project. Evolving with the neighborhood in mind, focusing on the whole rather than the home, is at the core of community sustainability.
But how does sustained homeownership among low and middle-income residents really contribute to the larger sustainability of a community? Imagine someone whose family has lived in Santa Fe for generations, who faces the fact that, despite a decent middle class job, there are no homes that are affordable. This situation is
|
