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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The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation
PDF Report
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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Focus on Resilient Housing
Feature Article
A broad look at the opportunities and challenges in providing resilient multifamily housing.
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Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
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Energy-Efficient Multifamily Housing
Feature Article
Now you can get LEED, Energy Star, and other labels for designing or retrofitting high-performance multifamily buildings.
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Checking for Resilience in Multifamily Housing
Feature Short
Washington, D.C. is developing a tool to assess affordable multifamily housing for resilience to climate change.
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Multifamily & Residential Cabinetry
Product Guide
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Housing and Transit: A Match Made in Carbon Cutting Heaven
News 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
Feature 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
Feature 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
News Brief
The forum invites affordable housing designers to join HBN experts and others to ask questions and share information on material health.
