Green Housing for People who Need it the Most

The Affordable Green Housing Center was launched in April 2008 as a major new program of Environmental Health Watch to promote healthy, affordable green housing. Our emphasis is on renovation and maintenance of existing housing, however, we will address new construction and deconstruction as well. The new Center will provide educational resources and technical assistance, foster partnerships and demonstration projects, and advocate for public policies.

The Center was established to help address the multiple environmental, health and economic problems related to housing in Northeast Ohio, particularly for low- and middle-income families and communities.

• Homes can be a significant source of health hazards associated with lead poisoning, asthma, and other illnesses.
• The cost of housing and utilities continues to rise, straining the household budgets of a growing proportion of families. Utility costs - gas, electric, water, sewer - have a disproportionate impact on lower income residents. High utility bills increase the risk of evictions and foreclosures.
• Residential energy use is an important contributor to regional air pollution and global greenhouse gas emissions. Housing contributes 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

Mandy Metcalf is the director of the Affordable Green Housing Center, having most recently served as director for the Cleveland EcoVillage in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. Matt Berges, a Cleveland green builder, is Green Housing Manager for the Center. Jim LaRue, healthy housing and green building pioneer, is the Center’s building science consultant. Initial funding for the Center is from the Cleveland Foundation.

A green house is: Healthy, saves $, is part of a sustainable community, and has a positive environmental impact

Our approach to green housing is holistic, promoting healthy indoor environments, increased housing affordability, positive environmental impacts, and sustainable communities. The Center will focus on the total lifecycle of the house in these action areas:

• Energy Efficiency
• Resource Conservation

Read the article about EHW's Affordable Green Housing Center in the Summer 2008 edition of EarthWatch Ohio.

Resources

General information on green homes

• Jim LaRue's Greening Your Home checklists
• Green Renovation Guide
• Cleveland Green Building Coalition
• E4S Green Resource Directory
• National Association of Homebuilders Green Home Initiative
• LEED for Homes
• Energy Saving Tips for Your Home
• List of RESNET Home Energy Raters in Greater Cleveland area
• Green Housing Overview PowerPoint presentation (pdf, 14 pgs.)
• List of Green Building Products within 500 miles of Cleveland, Ohio (pdf, 70 pgs.)
• Cleveland green housing projects (pdf, 16 pgs.)