A collaboration of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund,

1
Minnesota Green Communities
A collaboration of the Greater Minnesota Housing
Fund, the Family Housing Fund, and Enterprise
2
Janne Flisrand Minnesota Green Communities
Program Coordinator janne_at_mngreencommunities.org
651-221-1997 x119 www.greencommunitiesonline.or
g/minnesota
3
Minnesota Green Communities
A holistic approach to residential planning,
design, and construction. Designed to foster the
creation of affordable, healthier, and more
energy-efficient housing throughout Minnesota.
4
Minnesota Green Communities

• Family Housing Fund
• Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
• Enterprise Foundation
• Other Partners on Advisory Committee

5
Minnesota Green Communities
State Advisory Committee
The Green Institute Center for Sustainable
Building Research Dovetail Partners Conservation
Technologies Fresh Energy (formerly ME3) Reed
Energy Minnesota Attainable Housing
Corporation Twin Cities Local Initiative Support
Corporation Minnesota Housing Partnership Minnesot
a Power
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Greater
Metropolitan Housing Corporation Center for Urban
and Regional Affairs Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency Urban Land Institute and Dewar
Associates The Minnesota Project Wilder
Foundation Great River Energy
6
Minnesota Green Communities

• Principles
• Affordable housing
• Healthy homes and living environments
• Energy and water conservation
• Sustainable land use planning
• Sustainable building methods and materials

7
Program Description

• Statewide initiative
• 8 demonstration projects
• Variety of housing types
• Technical assistance, education and research

8
Special Green Funding Available

• Grants to selected demonstration projects through
  the Super RFP
• Priority RFP gap funding to green projects
• CIP Matching Grants
• Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program for Rental
  Projects (pilot phase)
• Premium pricing on Equity Investments (tax
  credits)

9
Why is Green important? The impact of MN Green
Communities

• Healthier homes for parents and children.
• Increased income and enhanced opportunities for
  low-income families.

10
The Impact of Green Communities

• Healthier homes for parents and children.

Indoor Air Quality and Occupants Health
More than 45 million children in the U.S. have
asthma 40 percent due to residential
exposures. - National Center for Healthy Housing
Environmentally attributable childhood diseases,
including asthma, lead poisoning and cancer, cost
our nation nearly 55 billion annually. -
National Center for Healthy Housing
Asthma is the third leading cause of
hospitalization in the United States.
-Environmental Health Watch
11
The Impact of Green Communities

• Healthier homes for parents and children.

Physical Activity Active Living by Design
Lower income and minority communities have
fewer parks, sports facilities, bike paths, pools
and other places to be active. - Powell, L.M.,
Slater, S., Chaloupka, F.J.Evidence-Based
Preventive Medicine
Low income households are more likely to be
diagnosed with diabetes or asthma, to be obese
and be at risk for health problems related to
lack of exercise than people from households with
incomes above 50,000. -Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
12
The Impact of Green Communities

• Increased income and enhanced opportunities for
  low-income families.

Long Term Affordability
Low-income families will spend an average of 17
percent of their income on energy in 2006
-Meg Power, "FY 2006 Energy Bills Forecast
The Impact on Low-Income Consumers
High energy bills force low-income families to
scrimp on food, child care, health care, and
other essentials.
13
The Impact of Green Communities

• Increased income and enhanced opportunities for
  low-income families.

Walkable, Livable Communities
14
Green Communities Criteria

• Integrated Design Process
• Location and Neighborhood Fabric
• Site Improvements/Protection
• Water Conservation
• Energy Conservation
• Materials and Resources
• Healthy Living Environment
• Operations and Management

15
Green Communities Criteria1. Integrated Design
Process

• Incorporates sustainability up-front.
• Identify a Green Champion on development team.
• Stakeholders define goals for the project.
• Discuss most cost effective ways to meet goals.
• Discuss tradeoffs.

16
Green Communities Criteria2. Location and
Neighborhood Fabric

• Proper site selection and compact development
  for land conservation.
• Utilize existing infrastructure.
• Locate housing in or near developed areas,
  close to services, trails, and transit,
  creating walkable neighborhoods.

17
Green Communities Criteria3. Site
Improvements/Protection

• Ensure condition of the construction site is as
  healthy after construction as before.
• Test for and clean up environmental
  contamination.
• Protect against erosion through best management
  practices.
• Manage stormwater
• onsite

18
Green Communities Criteria4. Water Conservation

• Minimize use of potable water in homes and
  landscaping to reduce utility costs.

19
Green Communities Criteria5. Energy Conservation

• Use careful construction and high-efficiency
  building components to meet efficiency
  standards.
• Use Energy Star appliances and efficient
  interior and exterior lighting to reduce utility
  costs.
• Maximizes resident comfort
• and health.

20
Green Communities Criteria6. Materials and
Resources

• Manage construction waste.
• Contain stormwater on-site.
• Use recycled or reclaimed
• building materials.
• Use responsibly harvested/local lumber
  products.
• Reduce emissions from the manufacture and
  transport of new materials.

21
Green Communities Criteria7. Healthy Living
Environment

• Control moisture (mold).
• Avoid introducing pollutants/toxic materials
  from paints, glues and carpet.
• Ventilate to endure indoor air is fresh, clean,
  and healthy.

22
Green Communities Criteria8. Operations and
Maintenance

• Educate owners regarding the intent of
  integrated green building and landscaping
  features as well as proper use and maintenance
  for best performance.
• Educate residents on use and maintenance of
  green features and encourage recycling and
  healthy cleaning materials.

23
First Cost of Green Design
Green Criteria add 2-5 to total
development first cost. Long-term benefits and
savings exceed incremental upfront costs.
24
MN Green Communities Accomplishments2005
Demonstration Projects

• New San Marco, Duluth
• Viking Terrace Apartments, Worthington
• The Wellstone Apartments, Minneapolis
• Ripley Gardens, Minneapolis

25
MN Green Communities Accomplishments2006
Demonstration Projects

• Cherry Ridge Apartments, Mankato
• Sawtooth Cottages, Grand Marais Infill
  Scattered Site, Duluth
• LSS Park Avenue Apartments, Minneapolis
• Van Cleve Court Apartments East, Minneapolis

26
(No Transcript)