Seven very low-income housing complexes in New Mexico have been renovated to be more energy efficient. The work was made possible by a nonprofit partnership that works in part to put money back in low-income residents' pockets.
"Spending roughly $1 million at each property, the Reliant Group installed energy-efficient, double-paned windows and low-flow toilets and shower heads to help residents save on their utility bills. Energy-saving fluorescent lights were installed in kitchens and entries. Ceiling fans were added."
"'These things don't save on the owner's energy bill,' said Hans Juhle, a partner in the Reliant Group. 'They reduce the resident's bill and these are people who live on the margin.'"
"But the bottom line isn't just about money, although that's important, Juhle said. 'Part of our purpose - and one of the reasons people invest with us - is we provide a social return on investment,' he said. 'It's a double bottom-line type of investment.'"
"The seven New Mexico apartment complexes were among 20 Section 8 properties getting a combined $22.4 million in renovations. The 20 properties - the others are in Texas - form the RHAC portfolio, named after Phoenix-based Rainbow Housing Assistance Corp. Rainbow Housing focuses on affordable housing and provides a variety of services and programs to its tenants. Rainbow and Reliant are often partners on Section 8 properties."
FULL STORY: Nonprofit Makes Section 8 Complexes Green
Fixing the Housing Voucher Shortage
As low-income families wait years to receive housing assistance vouchers, experts suggest new ways to improve the program and help more eligible households.
Texas Law Bars Source of Income Discrimination
The law seeks to address a growing number of HOA regulations that prohibit renting to Section 8 voucher recipients.
Arlington to Open Housing Voucher Waiting List
Despite a high need in the area, it’s been more than a decade since the Virginia city last opened applications for housing vouchers.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
