Denver9/28_Jennifer Erixon

Make New Friends (but Keep the Old) Green Approaches to Affordable Housing Preservation

Mercy Housing Founded in 1981 One of the largest providers of affordable housing in the country On any given day, Mercy provides housing and services to over 109,000 people Because we are here, Provides full spectrum of housing from supportive people live in hope. housing to affordable home ownership opportunities

Mercy Housing Community Impact Plan DEFINING STABILITY • Balance people, planet, profit in accordance with Mercy’s objective to develop and operate affordable housing • Decision making tool APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY • Market‐driven, economic, practical, common sense solutions • Achieve sustainability through solid business analyses and practices

Green Is Smart Business Increased expectations and requirements by partners, clients and funders (Enterprise, HUD, MacArthur Foundation) Public expectations Enhance real estate value Protect the health of our residents, employees and vendors Greater appeal to the investment community Mission

Mercy Housing’s Strategy Development Process: Underwriting and Development Guidelines. Portfolio Operations: Procurement and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) programs, depending on the age and character of the individual asset resulting in decreased operating costs. Incorporation of Environmental Stewardship in operational excellence. Resident Services: Programs will be identified within Mercy Housing’s Resident Services system to further enhance the health and well-being of residents. Corporate & Business Centers: Assessed for optimum ways to integrate sustainability into everyday office activities

850 Eastwood - Chicago 231 units of housing – 70% currently subsidized At risk of market-rate conversion Financed by Tax-Exempt Bonds, 4% LIHTC and Illinois land donation tax credits; bundled with another deal

Harold Washington- Chicago 71 SRO Units – 1980s moderate rehab Green Elements for Harold Washington and 850 Eastwood: – Hybrid geothermal heating and cooling system – Energy efficient windows – Energy Star appliances – Energy efficient lighting – Low-flow toilets, faucets, and fixtures

Aromor Apartments - Denver 66 furnished efficiency units for formerly homeless Amenities include: Resident lounge Group meeting rooms Case management offices Computer lab Library Flex offices for visiting professionals Laundry room 24-hour front desk clerk

Green Elements • TPO roof membrane (white, reflective membrane decreases need for cooling) • Higher than required roof insulation • Added custom storm windows/reglazed & refurbished existing historic windows • Low flow faucets and toilets • Energy Star appliances and light fixtures • High efficiency boiler • Reused all functional fixtures • Reused all functional doors and tubs • Chose furnishings to minimize the opportunity for bed bugs, thereby decreasing the need for fumigation • Xeriscaped yard area • Contractor employed stringent waste management/recycling/salvage program that allowed us to recycle approximately 50% of project waste

The Aromor ‐ Before

Before

A place from which all things are possible…

Home grounds us, nurtures us, embraces us, and at the same time liberates us and challenges our spirits to soar.

Home to stay.

We all live in hope.

We wake up each morning hoping that today will be better than yesterday.

Integrating Green Into Programs Resident Services Programs will: • Incorporate energy conservation and recycling into out‐of – school time programming for kids, as we have found in California that children can often influence their parents to be more green. • Partner with organizations for educational give away items to residents (light bulbs, reusable shopping bags, etc). • Develop recycling programs that engage all age groups. • Incorporate energy conservation into ongoing financial literacy/stability classes, include activities such as how to read and understand utility bills.

Contact: Jennifer Erixon President Mercy Housing Mountain Plains 1999 Broadway, Suite 1000 Denver, CO 80202 t|303.830.3300 c|303.916.6311 Because we are here, people live in hope.

Denver9/28_Jennifer Erixon

by National Housing Conference & the Center for Housing Policy on Sep 29, 2010

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Denver9/28_Jennifer Erixon — Presentation Transcript