This post was written by Anna Janetos, Director of Policy and Programs.
According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, “households consume 29% of global energy and consequently contribute to 21% of resultant CO2 emissions.” The built environment is a crucial sector for reducing carbon emissions that must be addressed. Smart housing policy is more than just an increase in supply and denser development around urban and transportation corridors. Good housing policy is also about building in a way that is congruent with this clean energy transition. The nexus between housing and the environment is critical for sustainable communities across the globe. It also contributes to affordability. Energy efficiencies can reduce utility costs and provide much needed savings to households who are already struggling to afford housing.
Sustainability touches many elements of planning and community development; and housing is just one. All aspects of sustainability affect each other, therefore effective policies should be general in their approach and implementation. With the strong demand for housing in Virginia, the state should be at the forefront of green building as it works to close its vast housing gaps.
An important environmental program that recognizes this interdisciplinary nature is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (REGGI). See NVAHA’s past blog post on this issue. REGGI is a cooperative effort by 11 Mid-Atlantic and New England states designed to limit the carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. Since 2020, the funding that Virginia has received from this cap and trade program has helped to drive down greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality and public health.
Sustainable housing also serves to address inequities among historically disadvantaged groups. The Urban Institute recently released an article about how the federal Inflation Reduction Act will increase equitable access to green housing. They write, “because of wealth disparities, racial inequality in local investment and access to credit for home repair, homes in Black neighborhoods tend to be older, use more energy, and thus have relatively expensive energy bills. They are also most likely to be located on urban heat islands and in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Increasing access to green technologies for Black and other residents of color can help reduce racial inequities and improve climate resiliency.”
Multiple national organizations have recognized the nexus between climate change and housing. They include Habitat for Humanity, The Aspen Institute, and Enterprise Community Partners, who has developed a national Green Communities program for the affordable housing sector. In recognition of the priority of climate change, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created resource guides for climate and a Climate Action Plan. Clearly, green housing does more than just lower our carbon emissions; it also helps reduce inequities, improve public health, and decrease risk in our communities. No effective public policy should call for “either- or,” it must be “both, and.”