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Green Low Income Housing

Building, maintaining and renting green low income housing is a rewarding career from many standpoints. First, you are helping someone get housing that they can afford. Second, you are helping them to become a little greener in the process. Third, you are helping to keep the city from having to deal with homelessness or substandard homes that would be the alterative for so many of these families.

What does it take to create green low income housing?

First, most of these projects are financed by grants and subsidies. In most areas of the country the waiting list for decent, affordable homes is a long one, with preference going to families with children and the elderly who would otherwise have no place to live.

Why does it matter if it is green or not?

The environment needs to be protected wherever it can. If an apartment building is built that will house twenty families - this is twenty different opportunities to teach people about green standards as well as twenty opportunities to make the planet greener. Adding as many green features as possible will not only save the planet, but will save money for the family as well.

What are some of the green features that can be added to low income housing?

Basic green tips can be followed in building the low income housing including: low flow toilets and shower heads and solar water heaters. The entire building can be set up to run on solar, wind or combination energy to further lower the bills that the families will have to pay.

What are the risks?

There are virtually no risks to this type of project once it is built. However, there could be problems during the planning and implementing stages related to applying for and obtaining grant monies.

What other benefits could be realized by having green, low income housing?

Aside from helping families to find a decent place to live and lowering their monthly bills, this could be an opportunity to provide education, not only about protecting the environment but other topics as well.

Could the project go even greener?

There could be a community garden planted which would allow families to stretch their food bills every month. In addition, a community compost pile could be started. Recycling should be done for a variety of materials as well.

What should NOT be done?

While the basic fixtures should be installed to be green, unless it is expressly written in the least that the tenants will be as green as possible, there should be no preaching or lectures on the topic. Educational meetings and suggestions are one thing and should be done on a voluntary basis, berating every tenant with visits, literature and demands is wholly another.

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