Green Affordable Housing Forum
Protecting the Most Vulnerable While
Expanding Washington's Green Economy
On March 3, 2009, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), along with Enterprise Community Partners Inc. and a number of other sponsors, held a Green and Affordable Housing Forum that featured speeches, presentations, panel discussions, exhibits, and networking opportunities.
The topic of the day was how local governments, nonprofits, and individuals in the metropolitan Washington area can work together to help solve two major problems facing the region - the need to build green in light of global climate change and the area's lack of affordable housing. Speakers and panelists provided insightful comments and suggestions for dealing with these important issues.
Participants were in agreement that handling these two issues together offered far greater benefits than trying to tackle them separately and that inaction posed serious economic, social, and environmental threats.
If you were unable to attend the event, we would like to give you the opportunity to benefit from the wonderful presentations and discussions of the day. Below you will find memorable quotes and statements from the forum, links to download many of the given presentations, exhibitor information, and more.
Online Resource Center: Quotes & Statements | Presentations | Exhibitor Information |
Event Sponsors | Agenda | Contact & Feedback
Memorable Quotes and Statements
Penelope Gross, Chair, Council of Governments, Vice Chair, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors | "Metropolitan Washington has a strong economy compared to other regions in the country. A big part of this economy is based on the presence of the federal government and federal procurement spending, which has grown from about $10 billion in the 1980s to nearly $60 billion last year. But despite our relatively strong standing, job growth has slowed significantly. In order for our region to remain globally competitive, it is essential for metropolitan Washington to become a leader in the quickly-developing, green economy."
Bart Harvey, Former Chairman, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. | This forum can make a huge difference in the future of our region and our nation, especially in light of currently converging conditions, including a change of administrations, growing public and private support for green initiatives, greater awareness of the multiple threats of climate change, and the ever-present need for affordable housing. Given that the true costs of such policies have been made plain, "I believe the end is near for sprawl and crawl policies." However, in preparing for the future, it will be critical to remember that green principles must but extended to all communities, not simply the wealthy.
Barbara Favola, Chair, Washington Area Housing Partnership, Arlington County Board Member | "We need to focus not only on affordable housing, but rather affordable living," a larger concept which should include a number of considerations from transportation, provision of and demands on personal time, quality of life, and housing into creating a more sustainable way of living.
Theodore Toon, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development | "We at HUD may have arrived a little bit late, but we're in the green game." Our new Secretary, Shaun Donovan, is wholly committed to the proliferation of green building. $250 billion was allocated in the stimulus package solely for HUD to "green retrofit" existing buildings. "This is just the beginning of HUD's foray into green affordable housing."
Dave Jacobs, PhD, Director of Research, National Center for Healthy Housing | The implications of housing conditions on personal health has too long been ignored. It is critically important to continue the work that began with Florence Nightingale and early housing reformers and pursue a re-established connection between health and housing. Although health benefits are often overlooked when determining recovery costs of retrofits, they can be substantial. For example, the health benefits of replacing all of the faulty windows in this country alone would equal approximately $67 billion.
Click thumbnail to view or download presentation
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The Health Benefits of Affordable Green Housing David Jacobs, National Center for Healthy Housing |
The Green Building Act of 2006 |
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Green Collar Jobs in the Housing Sector Howard Ways, D.C. Office of Planning |
Green Affordable Housing Preservation Michael Bodaken, National Housing Trust |
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Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing Nina Janopaul, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing |
Think Green Jobs! Thomas Graham, Pepco Holdings, Inc. |
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EarthCraft Virginia Karl Bren, EarthCraft Virginia |
The following exhibitors took part in the Green Affordable Housing Forum:
Pentuxent Environmental Group (PEG) | Efficient Home | Casey Trees | District of Columbia Department of the Environment (DDOE) | Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC) | Urban Solar Solutions | DeConstruction Services | Steven Winter Associates, Inc. | Marriott International | Wienick Associates Architects + Planners | DC USA Technology, LLC | The DC Project
The Green Affordable Housing Forum would like to extend a sincere thanks to all of the sponsors who helped make this event possible (click on logo to visit a sponsor's web site):
Click here to view the agenda from the Forum.
Contact Information & Feedback
George Nichols | Principal Environmental Planner
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Department of Environmental Programs
202.962.3355 | gnichols@mwcog.org
Leah Boggs | Environmental Planner
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Department of Environmental Programs
202.962.3336 | lboggs@mwcog.org