By
David Parish
Raphael Herz directs the Green Affordable Housing Initiative
for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC). Established
by the Massachusetts legislature in the early 1980s, the MTC
is the state’s economic-development agency for the
innovation economy and renewable energy. MTC operates as a catalyst
at the intersection of industry, academia, and government to create
new economic opportunity and a cleaner environment for Massachusetts.
What is the MTC Green Affordable Housing Initiative (GAHI)?
The GAHI is a $25 million commitment by MTC to affordable housing
in Massachusetts. The initiative is designed to encourage the transformation
of the financing, development, and operation of affordable housing
through the inclusion of green design and renewable energy elements
in affordable-housing developments throughout the Commonwealth.
Why did MTC decide to become involved with affordable housing in
Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is the third most expensive state in which to buy a
home, and nearly one in four renters pay over one-half of their income
for housing. High home prices and dramatically rising housing costs
have made the expansion and preservation of affordable housing a
priority for the Commonwealth. However, we realize that there are
many unanswered questions related to the application of green building
and renewable energy technologies to affordable housing. We hope
that the GAHI will lead to a broader acceptance of these technologies
within the affordable-housing com-munity. Finding new ways to effectively
manage residential energy costs and reduce the risk of conditions
that threaten the health of residents of affordable housing clearly
falls within MTC’s mission.
Who are your partners in the GAHI and how were they chosen?
MTC went through a formal process to arrive at a diverse and experienced
group of affordable-housing funders and developers who can help
us better understand the role that the application of renewable
energy and green building techniques can play in the development
and preservation of affordable housing. The partners are: Boston
Community Capital, the Cape Light Compact, the City of Boston Department
of Neighborhood Development, Mass-Housing, HAP, Inc., WinnDevelopment,
the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development,
and the Massachusetts Energy Star Program.
What types of affordable housing will be supported under the GAHI?
The GAHI partners are involved in the full range of affordable housing,
including single-family starter homes, condominiums, rental, and
special-needs housing.
Is the GAHI focused solely on providing renewable energy to affordable-housing
developments?
No. Although at least 70 percent of the dollars committed will go
to support the provision of renewable energy, funds may also be used
to increase energy efficiency and promote more healthy residential
environments.
What do you hope to learn and what do you see as the potential benefits
of the GAHI?
For one thing, we hope to arrive at a much better understanding of
the economics of renewable energy as it applies to affordable housing.
We know that both high and volatile energy costs are significant
issues for affordable-housing residents, managers, and owners. Renewable
energy technologies and increased energy efficiency can contribute
to the long-term economic stability of affordable housing, but we
need to understand more about what approaches are the most cost effective
and which are most likely to be accepted by the affordable-housing
community.
We believe there are many potential benefits from the GAHI. Residents
will have a more affordable, comfortable, and healthy living environment;
the economics of affordable-housing development, ownership, and management
should be improved; and the initiative should provide support to
an important, emerging sector of the Massachusetts economy.
Although it isn’t specifically part
of the GAHI, can you comment on the hydropower grant MTC provided
to the Whitin Mill affordable-housing development featured in this
issue of Tools?
In 2002, MTC awarded $20,000 to the Whitin Mill team to investigate
the potential for onsite energy generation as a piece of the team’s
ongoing, innovative green building work. The team’s energy
experts determined that there is good potential for electricity generation
through hydropower at the site. We made a subsequent award of $324,000
to provide financial support for the design, installation, and commissioning
of the hydro system.
We believe that the Whitin Mill will serve as a beacon for future
socially responsible, mixed-use construction and renovation projects
through its energy-efficient design and construction, use of both
solar and
hydro electricity generation, and dedication to often under-funded
sectors such as
affordable housing and healthcare for the disabled.
MTC has a variety of other programs designed
to help communities and individuals with energy issues. Could you
give us some examples and suggest where people might find additional
information?
MTC also offers renewable energy installation incentives through
the Green Building & Infrastructure Small Renewables Initiative
and Large Onsite Renewables Initiative. Further information on the
GAHI and other MTC programs is available on our web site at www.mtpc.org.
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