Leveraging Green Funding: Lessons Learned from Award-Winning ‘Green’ Affordable Housing Projects

This table was prepared by the Weatherization Plus Leveraging Project. The right-hand column summarizes the funding sources that these exemplary projects leveraged to finance at least some of the "up-front" costs of adding the efficient, low-emissions measures to their design. All won Home Depot Foundation awards.

Follow the links to the brief reports that describe the projects in more detail, including  their costs, benefits, and financing details.

Name and Location Affordable Housing Project Funding Source for Green/Sustainable/Efficiency Elements of the Development
Rural Development, Inc.’s Affordable Green Homes - MA
  • 5 new single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • Electric utility rebates for efficient construction and renewable energy
  • MA Tech Collaborative grant for PV systems and Energy Star upgrades (2 of 5 homes)
Housing Vermont’s Waterfront Housing - VT
  • 40 new rental units (one building)
  • 34 low- and moderate-income
  • Separate financing for "greening" not analyzed except for grant from local utility to cover LEED certifier’s work
Claretian Associates’ New Homes for South Chicago - IL
  • 5 new single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • PV panels: grants from State of IL, City of Chicago, IL Clean Energy Foundation, Elec. Utility’s incentive award
  • Appliance and Energy Star lighting rebates from utility went directly to buyer.
Reach’s Station Place Tower - Portland, OR
  • 176 new rental units
  • Portland Office of Sustainable Development
  • Portland Development Commission
Mountain Housing Opportunity’s Prospect Terrace - Asheville, NC
  • 15 new, 2 renovated single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • North Carolina State Energy Office
homeWORD’s Orchard Gardens - Missoula, MT
  • 34 new single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • Private, anonymous donor, Home Depot Foundation, Enterprise Foundation, Charles Englehard foundation, and local utilities
Clackamas Community Land Trust’s SE Phillips Creek - Milwaukee, OR
  • 14 new single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • Anonymous Foundation
Trolley Square - Cambridge, MA
  • 32 new units for rental
  • 8 new units for owner occupancy
  • Utility rebates, grants, and private foundations
Folsom/Dore Apartments - San Francisco, CA
  • 98 new rental units
  • State housing funds through Multifamily Housing Program
Nuevo Amanecer - Pajaro, CA
  • 63 new rental units
  • California Energy Commission, Cowell Foundation, Global Green USA, Neighborworks America, and a Tax Credit Basis Boost
Roanoke-Lee Street Project - Blacksburg, VA
  • 14 new single-family homes for owner occupancy
  • Grants from Housing Assistance Council, Enterprise Community Partners, utility rebates