Case Studies
This case study overviews the LISC-supported deep energy retrofit decarbonization planning process that Beacon Communities engaged in with building sustainability expert New Ecology for its Treehouse community in Easthampton, MA.
This case study overviews the LISC-supported zero-over-time decarbonization planning process that Cascap engaged in with building sustainability expert New Ecology for its Nonantum Village Apartments community in Newton, MA.
808-812 Memorial Drive provides affordable housing to over 450 low income residents. The building is in need of significant capital upgrades to ensure its physical and financial viability in the years to come. A sustainability and energy efficiency leader, owner Homeowner's Rehab, Inc. (HRI) committed to comprehensively evaluating the energy and water savings opportunities at the building ahead of their planned rehabilitation. This enabled HRI to leverage resources invested into the building to reduce energy and water use and operating expenses, and to provide residents a comfortable and healthy living environment.
1460 House, a LEED Silver certifiable building owned by Viet AID, had a domestic hot water pump that circulated 180°F water 24 hours a day, wasting electricity and gas when there was no demand for hot water.
Atwood Acres decreased its gas and electricity consumption by 28.6 and 21.3 percent, respectively – saving the owner $9,154 in avoided annual operating expenses.
Upgrades to Brighton Allston Apartments resulted in a whopping 46% reduction in the development’s total gas consumption and saved $25,357 in annual utility expenses.
Despite its challenging composition - 12 multi-family buildings - by focusing on energy and water upgrades, Powdermill Village was able to reduce utility expenses by more than 50%.
When McBride House replaced its old boiler with a new high-efficiency model, energy consumption did not decrease as expected. After optimization, gas usage decreased 18.8%. Together, the upgrade and optimization saved the owner $2,749 in annual operating expenses.
Through the Green Retrofit Initiative, the Chelsea Housing Authority was able to secure $463,565 from the utility efficiency program for Scrivano Apartments, which decreased electricity and gas use by 35.2 and 30.1%, respectively, and reduced the annual operating expenses by $29,223.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) results in fewer pest problems, greater management knowledge of issues and responses, and reduced costs. Learn how Beacon Communities adopted IPM practices across its portfolio starting a decade ago.
Beacon Communities embraced the challenge to transition its predominately affordable housing portfolio of 12,000 apartments across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to smoke-free, a process that took 24 months to complete.
Two Boston-based nonprofit affordable housing providers — Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation and Urban Edge — have taken steps to adopt smoke-free housing policies. Driven by the residents, these owner and their property management teams discussed the smoke-free initiative at monthly resident meetings, drafted a policy and lease addendum, and provided residents with access to smoking cessation support and resources.