Hello there, 

Happy fall 🍁

What is equitable housing decarbonization? "This question and interest in unpacking this phrase often came up during discussions in our Affordable, Equitable Decarbonization Working Group. So we leaned into the opportunity with the working group to have a larger conversation around what it entails,” says BIG’s Program Manager Jenny Low.

As a result, BIG and the working group developed an Equitable Housing Decarbonization Diagram that we are eager to invite your feedback on. The diagram hones in on seven critical elements that influence and intersect with each other throughout the housing decarbonization process:

1. Community
2. Education 
3. Finances 
4. Health 
5. Policy 
6. Sustainability 
7. Workforce 

As you explore the diagram, we welcome comments and suggestions via virtual sticky notes to evolve the intersections and improve the resource for the field. 

Sincerely, 

Deepti  

Digital Communications Manager, Build It Green  

SPOTLIGHT: Bringing Together the Elements

With the Equitable Housing Decarbonization Diagram in mind, we also asked: How are other cities, states, and organizations making progress to decarbonize homes equitably? 

We invited three speakers to share their experiences and lessons learned during an #AffordableHousingMonth virtual event hosted by Build It Green, Housing Leadership Council, and SV@Home. Speakers connected the diagram to how their states and communities have approached housing decarbonization. 

We learned that intersectional approaches are key. Check out the other takeaways from these case studies.

BIG Updates

🏘️ Middle Income housing initiative: BIG recently hosted a virtual event to begin addressing decarbonization and middle income affordability of both existing and newly built homes. If you weren’t able to attend but are interested in the material, reply to this email and we can send you the recording and other resources. 

🏗️ Small Developers and Builders initiative: This initiative now has two distinct work tracks that support one another – developing a Small Developer Network and creating a Small Developer Workshop. To better inform the development of these projects, BIG is hosting conversations with key stakeholders already doing great work in the small developer and workforce development space.

👥 Co-ops initiative: This group is learning that across California, housing co-ops are beginning to receive substantial financial support. For example, the San Francisco Community Land Trust received $20 million from Mackenzie Scott to support co-op development in the greater Bay Area. And the Community Ownership for Community Power Fund launched a $22 million initiative to drive community land trusts, housing cooperatives, and shared equity models in the state.

💧 Infrastructure initiative: Research from BIG’s partners Egon Terplan and Alex Schafran confirmed that infrastructure is a barrier to development, particularly for historically marginalized and divested communities. BIG, in partnership with Pre-Collective, used the research to craft a three-year Infrastructure Initiative work plan. This plan proposes to focus on federal water infrastructure funding and to develop a program for community leaders in California. The program would create more resources, increase capacity, and develop fundraising knowledge.

⚡ POWER initiative: Over the summer, the POWER group presented key elements to avoid unnecessary upsizing of electrical panels, which allow projects to be completed more quickly and at a lower cost. Our group’s presentation included guidelines on how to best use The National Electric Code 220.87. The Greenlining Institute found these key elements relevant to include in their set of recommendations to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for the Equitable Building Decarbonization program. BIG is thrilled to see that  the CEC’s final guidelines for the Equitable Building Decarbonization program  adopted the electrical panel recommendations! 

In case you missed it 

Catalyze SV is winding down 2023 by celebrating the community partners, developers, and volunteers who make our work possible. Get your tickets today!

Heat Pump Water Day is on October 25. This day draws attention to the innovative technology of heat pump water heaters, which hold enormous potential to reduce carbon emissions. Share your thoughts on social media with #HeatPumpItUp and #HPWHeroes. 

Construction Inclusion Week is from October 16 — 20, which is an effort to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry, and bring together the collective power of general contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. 

Indigenous Peoples Day: This week, the California Department of Housing and Community Development announced $29 million that will support a dozen Tribal and Rural communities to plan for and build more infill homes and infrastructure. “Too often, lack of sufficient infrastructure is a financial roadblock to building housing— particularly for tribal communities and rural areas,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. 

Hispanic Heritage Month: "Housing needs vary widely within the communities in which we work," said the founder of Primestor, a development company that has built projects in predominantly Spanish speaking communities in California. "Addressing these diverse housing needs requires a multifaceted approach that takes into account both short-term and long-term solutions that address the critical issues."