Balancing Sustainability Goals: Case Studies in Affordable Housing

Abstract

Sustainable development is becoming a standard goal for many organizations and governments. In North America, local governments are increasingly involved in supporting sustainability efforts whether through funding or policy. How these efforts are being implemented vary greatly and can include broad policy goals or more specific policies such as building codes that address energy efficiency. This paper looks at how affordable housing projects are using local resources to provide sustainable housing for low-income residents in Eugene. These case studies paint a picture of how residential development in general, and affordable housing in particular, can contribute to larger community sustainability goals. For this project, the following developments were analyzed: • Greenleaf (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • West Town on 8th (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • Prairie View (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • Sheldon Village (Housing and Community Services Agency) • Santa Clara (St Vincent de Paul) • Aurora Building (St Vincent de Paul)