The phenomenon has become increasingly common in all over the world as climate change and the cost of housing become alarming issues.
Potential benefits of green affordable housing include lower energy cost burden and improved health.
Some examples of green building features are choice of site and orientation, efficient use of materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation.
[3] Given the higher exposure of low-income households and the need for public assistance, the most salient features of green affordable housing are energy use, material use/durability and a healthy indoor environment.
In addition, these projects often seek to improve the quality of the stock, in order to offer "decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable living environments".
[4] Green Affordable Housing projects add to those goals by lowering the lifetime cost of units and improving the quality.
The concept of the triple bottom line defines sustainability to include economics, social equity and the environment.
Green design increases the economics, social equity, and environmental impact of affordable housing projects.
Newer technology and the requirement of special labor skills are examples of cost drivers in green building projects.
"Dispersed, low-density housing often cannot support viable public transit, biking, or pedestrian options, all but making auto ownership a necessary cost.
However, the need to preserve affordability of housing sometimes restricts value enhancement over time and may thus be a barrier to investing in green features.
The potential environmental benefits are enhancement and protection of biodiversity and ecosystems; improved air and water quality; reduced waste stream and conservation and restoration of natural resources.
The direct benefits include lower utility costs, a healthier indoor environment and increased durability.
Washington was the first state to enact green building legislation in the U.S., with its Evergreen Sustainability Development Standard.
This standard requires that all buildings that receive public funding meet "79 criteria that safeguard health and safety, increase durability, promote sustainable living, preserve the environment, and increase energy and water efficiency.” This applies to all publicly subsidized affordable housing, but not private projects.
A 2009 study prepared by Davis Langdon examines the effect of green standards on the costs of affordable housing projects in Seattle and Portland.
The US Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers the chance for low-income families to improve their housing in order to reduce energy consumption and costs.
Using household-level data, this study determines that homeowners are significantly more likely to own energy efficient large appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines.
[25] As Green Affordable Housing still is a rather marginal phenomenon the outcomes of policy programs and specific interventions remain to be examined and confirmed.
[26][27][28][29] Other research initiatives seek to develop Green Affordable Housing while continuously evaluating the efforts.
[30] Some early learning point to the importance of training, outreach and resource coordination for the success of a green affordable housing program.
One significant aspect to consider in the context of green affordable housing is the environmental impact of building construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition.
[34] Adapting existing buildings to make them greener or 'green retrofit' is also a more sustainable initiatives to minimize waste and cost of construction.
"[36] Additionally, green gentrification can directly affect the availability and affordability of existing housing stock.
[38] As property values rise, landlords may be incentivized to convert affordable rental units into higher-priced green housing or green luxury developments, displacing low-income residents in the process and reducing the number of existing affordable housings.
[41] Efforts to address green gentrification and its impact on affordable housing require a collective approach that balances environmental sustainability with social equity.
Policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders must implement strategies to preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities in environmentally improved neighborhoods.