Housing -- Boston Metro       

graphic courtesy of ICON Architecture, Inc.

The ArtBlock 731 project by New Atlantic Development Corporation will transform the Old Bates School on Harrison Avenue in the South End into a major asset for Boston's art community.  The project was selected by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) following the city's first Request for Proposals specifically seeking the development of artist work and live/work space.  ArtBlock 731 will consist of two new five-story buildings and a renovation of the existing Bates Arts Resource Center.  It will provide a total of 54 condominium units for residential and/or artist live/work space, plus two ground floor commercial spaces for gallery, workshop and community space. Additionally, the project includes a significant affordable component with 32 units designated for households earning up to 80% of median income.

• 10 live/work condominium duplex town houses
• 12 live/work condominium loft style flats
• 32 live/work condominium affordable artist live and work lofts

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Housing -- Boston Metro      

This new $22 million initiative helps make the purchase of a three-decker home in Boston affordable to low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. In exchange for the financial assistance, the buyer agrees to rent one unit at affordable rates for 20 years. Each Three Decker Plus transaction thus provides one low to moderate-income family with home ownership and a second such family with an affordable rental unit.  Three Decker Plus is the result of a collaboration between the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), FleetBoston Financial, and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP). A $20,000 purchase subsidy is provided to buyers meeting the following requirements:

• First time homebuyer and Boston resident
• Income less than 80% Area Median
• Agree to covenant requiring one unit to be affordable for 20 years
• Owner occupancy required

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Housing -- Boston Metro     

MassHousing and the MBTA collaborated to create a program that gives qualified, regular MBTA commuters access to no downpayment mortgage loans to buy homes.  The program is modeled on similar efforts in several states to encourage people to live near mass transit lines as a way to eliminate traffic congestion and suburban sprawl. It also recognizes that many mass transit users have low and moderate-incomes and need assistance buying homes in a strong real estate market. The program is open to any 'T'  commuter who has participated in an employer-sponsored payroll deduction MBTA Pass Program for the last year or who can verify consistent ridership through auto insurance discounts or 10 months of accumulated MBTA passes within the last twelve months.

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Housing -- Boston Metro     

Davis Square Lofts is a mixed-use redevelopment of an old mill in Somerville designed for customers drawn to "Lifestyles in Health and Sustainability."  The environmentally friendly housing employs maximized natural lighting, solar hot water running through concrete floors, grey water recycling, and natural cross ventilation to eliminate the need for air conditioning.  The Davis Square Loft project is also pioneering the practice of shared environmentally responsible transportation schemes by making a fleet of Smart Cars available for tenant use.  The Smart Cars take up approximately half the space of a typical car and are rated at a fuel efficiency of 60 miles per gallon.  Shared transportation reduces the need for tenant parking and is a key factor in designs for sustainable urban housing.

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Housing -- Boston Metro  

The Forbes Park Redevelopment proposal would build 225 residential units and 20,000 square feet of commercial, restaurant and office space on 17 acres of old industrial waterfront property in Chelsea. The proposal includes a unique element: the first "eco-lofts" proposed in the Greater Boston market. The project would use environmentally sensitive design methods and construction that exceed the standards of the state energy code to create earth-friendly, mill style, loft dwelling units built entirely of durable, natural, renewable materials.

• Targets people who are committed to "Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability" (LOHAS)
• Heavy utilization of passive solar, using large windows to maximize natural light and air
• 75 kW cogeneration system used for heat and electricity

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Housing -- Boston Metro     

One Family is a not-for-profit organization devoted to ending family homelessness in Massachusetts that serves as a model nationwide. One Family brings together elected officials, faith and community organizations, and philanthropic and private leaders to design and implement effective, lasting solutions to family homelessness.  By shifting the focus from temporary fixes to permanent solutions, One Family is solving the family homelessness problem, breaking the cycle of poverty and providing stability for future generations - one family at a time.

• Shelters cost $37,000 a room/year on average
• Over 200 families were rapidly re-housed with $6,000 rental vouchers

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Housing -- National/International  

America's largest urban infill development project, located on the 7.5 square mile site of the old Denver Stapleton airport, uses New Urbanist strategies to build a community with mixed-income housing, abundant parks and open space, and neighborhood-oriented development. The goal is for all homes and offices to be within a ten-minute walk of one of five town centers built in the Stapleton area. Thirty percent of the land will become park space or restored natural systems with hiking and biking trails. Denver has approved an extensive affordable housing program and created design standards for the communities, including front porches, garages in the back of homes and tree-lined narrow streets with sidewalks.

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Housing -- National/International     

The Enterprise Foundation (one of the nation's leading developers of affordable housing) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (a leading environmental organization) have formed a five-year, $550 million partnership to finance the building of 8,500 rental and for-sale homes in Green Communities. The program combines the principles of smart growth, healthy housing and green building.  Smart growth guidelines will ensure that the homes are built near public transit, enhancing access to jobs and schools, helping combat sprawl and congestion, and saving families money by reducing car dependency.  Healthy housing guidelines will ensure that the homes are built with improved ventilation and using less toxic paints and adhesives. As green buildings, the homes will conserve energy and natural resources.  

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 The Green House Project 

Housing -- National/International  

Innovation

A more dignified approach to long-term care for the elderly than institutional nursing homes.

Description

The Green House Project helps organizations design, build and operate small homes where seniors receive clinical support and assistance outside the institutional setting of the nursing home.  Eight to ten seniors live with a small staff of elder assistants who prepare meals and maintain the household.  The staff of certified nursing assistants creates the feel of a family home by dining and socializing with the seniors.  An independent study by the University of Minnesota found that seniors living in Green Houses have significantly better outcomes than those who live in nursing homes.

• Helped 16 organizations in 12 states develop Green Houses
• Designed to blend architecturally with neighboring houses
• Costs no more to build and operate than traditional nursing homes

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 Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) 

Housing -- National/International  

Innovation

The premier example of "carbon neutral" or "zero energy" development.

Description

An 82-unit housing development in the south of London is arguably the world's premier example of sustainable living. Though it features all of the amenities of contemporary residential properties, BedZED is a zero (fossil) energy and "carbon neutral" development. All power and heat is generated using sustainable resources. Running the facility, including wastewater treatment, results in no net addition of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and no load on the local utilities. The units, all of which sold in six months, achieve savings of 55-65% for both energy and water.

• 135 kW power plant burns wood chips harvested through sustainable forestry
• Rainwater collection system to flush toilets
• Turf Rooftops retain water, reduce energy costs, and provide green space
• Network of photovoltaic panels to provide electricity for 40 communal electric vehicles

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 POUSO Project 

Housing -- National/International  

Innovation

Municipal government and community leaders collaborate to improve the quality of life in Rio de Janeiro's favelas.

Description

Rio de Janeiro launched the Center for Social and Urban Guidance (POUSO) Project in July 2003 to integrate informal settlements, also known as favelas or slums, into the city.  POUSO Teams work with community leaders to develop land use regulations tailored to the specific needs of each settlement.  The regulations improve living conditions by ensuring the construction of adequate housing and improving access to infrastructure and municipal services, such as garbage collection.  The POUSO Project has been successful because it engages community members in the process instead of handing down regulations from afar.

• 40% of Rio de Janeiro's residents live in informal settlements
• Established 30 POUSO Project units that encompass 58,000 households
• Each POUSO Team includes an urban planner and a social worker

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