OVERVIEW
Multifamily buildings are inherently green, thanks to the way they support denser, transit-friendly communities. But they have a legacy to overcome. Uninsulated masonry buildings; antiquated heating systems; inefficient, ad hoc cooling—many aspects of typical multifamily construction and operation evolved in an era when energy was cheap. What's more, lower-quality products often appear in lower-income and affordable multifamily housing, contributing to poor indoor quality and potentially exposing our most vulnerable populations to toxic chemicals in building materials.
Seizing the opportunity, many designers and policymakers are working to better address mid-rise multifamily buildings. Good design, public policy, market incentives, developers who see the big picture, and new technologies all have a place in making our multifamily buildings greener.
IN-DEPTH
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Checking for Resilience in Multifamily Housing
April 4, 2018News Brief
Washington, D.C. is developing a tool to assess affordable multifamily housing for resilience to climate change.
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The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation
Report/Course/Study Guide/Live Webinar
The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation provides detailed guidance on insulation products and practices, including cost comparisons and detailed recommendations on what insulation to use, and what to avoid.
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Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
October 6, 2017Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
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Housing and Transit: A Match Made in Carbon Cutting Heaven
November 6, 2017News Analysis
California’s cap-and-trade program funds affordable housing that helps residents get where they need to go without getting in a car.
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How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green
October 6, 2017Feature Short
Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.
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Financing Affordable Housing; Not for the Faint of Heart
October 6, 2017Feature Short
Because most of the funds are government funds, they are also subject to political pressures.
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Healthy Building Network Launches Online Forum
August 2, 2017News Brief
The forum invites affordable housing designers to join HBN experts and others to ask questions and share information on material health.
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Sustainable Development through Open-Source, Participatory Design
May 30, 2017News Brief
Alejandro Aravena wins Gothenburg Award for offering revolutionary strategies for social housing.
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Multifamily & Residential Cabinetry
Product Guide
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Energy-Efficient Multifamily Housing
June 29, 2011Feature Article
Now you can get LEED, Energy Star, and other labels for designing or retrofitting high-performance multifamily buildings.
