Affordable Housing by Design

Affordable Housing is a coast to coast issue.

From Union City, California, reported by Madison Vinas, to Pensacola, Florida, covered by Angela Underwood, recent reports show local efforts to provide housing for all socio-economic levels.

What we don't hear how to make affordable homes and developments more energy efficient through size, the use of solar-panels, and other conservative methods. Of course we want everyone to have an affordable home, but we also want the earth to remain inhabitable.

That is why I am researching and writing up possible legislation so if elected, I will be ready to present it to the floor using my own environmentally friendly non-profit Lead4Earth as a foundation for policy. The group's global initiative has already reached hundreds of thousands, dating back to 2023 when Lead4 Earth enhanced global environmental governance at the 5th AP Forum in Colombo with a focus on Asia Pacific challenges and contributing to UNEA-6 discussions.

Additionally, Lead4Earth served at COP 28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2023 in Dubai. Lead4Earth significantly contributed to advancing climate discussions, including a memorable collaboration with Indian youth and Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav Ji. Vikrant's impactful speech at the World Climate Summit highlighted the urgent concerns of millions of young people.

I want to bring that global change, local and I am not the only one. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) feels the same.

"Local governments can create economic, environmental, and public health benefits for their communities by improving energy efficiency in affordable housing," the EPA reports, adding natiowide, the total households energy cost are $230 billion a year, including heat, cool air, and light. "These energy costs contribute to the overall financial burden of housing, and can make housing unaffordable for many families.

This 62-page report, "Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing," breaks it down. If elected, I want to create a legislation mandating that all future affordable housing is by design. Designed for efficiency that saves familes money while saving the earth.

Take for example the City of St. Louis, Missouri.

The EPA reports that it "has incorporated a number of affordable housing strategies into its sustainability plan, including a strategy to improve energy efficiency in public housing through a weatherization program, energy audits, lighting and appliance upgrades, green or reflective roofing installations, and building energy system upgrades."

(Photo: Enviormental Protection Agency report graphic)

Furthemore, "the city will count energy savings from these improvements toward its goal of reducing GHG emissions 80 percent by 2050," the EPA reports.

Lastly, the EPA details how local governments goals in California, Virginia, Conneticut and Washington, "used the planning process to establish goals or requirements for improving energy efficiency in affordable housing."

"These goals and requirements are sometimes incorporated into broader plans, such as smart growth plans, which may include mixed-use, transit-oriented development to reduce personal vehicle use," the EPA reports.

I want this for every city in the district I will represent.

I want the district to set the standard, with "Affordable Housing by Design: Saving Earth, Money."

Chirag Kathrani