Truly Affordable: Why is healthy, affordable housing so hard?

How can super-efficient buildings become the new normal in equitable, affordable housing? 

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Minnesota is working hard to create more affordable housing. But if we build structures that are not super-efficient, residents will be saddled with high energy bills—and we will miss an opportunity to improve our built environment, a top source of carbon emissions in the state. Now more than ever the topic of affordable housing has become even more critical.

Join us Thursdays at noon in July for a 30-minute conversation with Minnesota thought leaders and Fresh Energy staff about how super-efficient buildings can become the new normal in equitable affordable housing. This Power Panel event was originally scheduled for April but for the safety of presenters and attendees was postponed and moved online to July.

With the increased attention on affordable housing in this current crisis, we know that the conversation has only just begun and it’s crucial that energy efficiency be part of the equation. We must build new affordable housing that is so energy efficient it can be heated and cooled with small amounts of renewable electricity. It makes economic sense, it improves indoor air quality, and it also dramatically reduces carbon emissions.

We have the know-how to build super-efficient housing that is affordable over the long term. Why isn’t all new housing built that way, and how can we do better? Fresh Energy is bringing people together from diverse areas of the affordable housing arena to explore this issue.

Who should attend: Community members, architects, developers, lenders, philanthropists, decision-leaders, health interests, practitioners, advocates, members of the public—everyone who cares about the future of affordable housing, and the built environment, in Minnesota.

SERIES SCHEDULE

July 9, 12-12:30 p.m.
Truly Affordable: How can all-electric affordable housing really work?
with Elizabeth Turner, AIA, and Fresh Energy’s Margaret Cherne-Hendrick

July 16, 12-12:30 p.m.
Truly Affordable: What’s the connection between energy and housing stability?
with Mitra Jalali and Fresh Energy’s Janiece Watts

July 23, 12-12:30 p.m.
Truly Affordable: Why is healthy, affordable housing so hard?
with Gina Ciganik and Fresh Energy’s Ben Passer

July 30, 12-12:30 p.m.
Truly Affordable: How can cities lead?
with Kim Norton and Fresh Energy’s Ben Rabe and Justin Fay

Register here