With the wildfire and hurricane seasons in full swing and the November elections spurring debates on investment, the topics of resilience and futureproofing have been at the forefront of discussions with team members and clients alike.
Due to the unique vulnerabilities of affordable and permanent supportive housing populations, designing to minimize the impact of external risks and ensure swift recovery is crucial. To understand the drivers and potential solutions, we sat down with three Practice housing and sustainability leaders to gain their unique perspectives.
From the outset of the conversation Ali Barar emphasized that at Practice, the designers and specialists design for sustainability and futureproofing, to minimize the effects of shocks and stresses, across a much larger context; bringing together environmental considerations factors along with social and economic ones. With this holistic, human-centered approach futureproofing starts with the acknowledgment that while the basic programmatic elements of a home have remained unchanged for decades or even millenniums, the structure of family units and the way those individuals or groups inhabit homes has changed drastically. This new idea of “home” and its expanded, multifunctional role as refuge, social hub and workspace as well as its relationship to community and nature, require heightened levels of thoughtfulness and flexibility.
Futureproofing for vulnerable populations adds a layer of complexity to this already multifaceted and sometimes restrictive process, but is vital for individuals who are often disproportionately affected by emerging health and climate risks, as well as disasters.
“At the heart of futureproofing is adaptability, which is a core tenet of sustainability. Future proofing affordable and permanent supportive housing requires, even demands, that the design of these projects stand the test of time in terms of the longer impact of material and aesthetic choices, as well as their relationship to larger community- and regional-levels of water and energy use. Specifically, that translates to their grid-based functionality.”
One of the most impactful tools the firm is currently leveraging is on-site energy capture and storage. For years teams have been utilizing solar arrays to deliver energy savings, but much of that energy is lost back to the energy grid, which renders the power useless during times of stress. California’s net energy metering policies, which went into effect in 2023, reduce the value of customer-generated solar power.
Additionally, November of last year there was another approval through the CPUC that removed multi-metered sites from having NEM causing further difficulties. California Solar + Storage Association
As prices rise for energy use, these policies will continue to squeeze users’ affordability, which will soon include multifamily developments. Delivering options for housing developments, and even the larger community, for on-site energy retention, is essential as groups can utilize shared resources such as an air-conditioned community space or a fully operational shared kitchen in case of emergency.
During the 2024 California Legislative Session, which closedown August 31, several bills were passed that will ease the state’s housing crisis. Additionally, in mid-September, Governor Newsom signed a package of bills designed to alleviate what he called the “original sin” of housing unaffordability and address homelessness across the State.
Jin mentioned that most of Practice’s projects utilize California's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities, or AHSC program funding. With fifty percent of the available funds set aside for Affordable Housing developments or infrastructure and 50 percent of the available funds are set aside for projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, those bills will continue to provide the bulk of the assistance. Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities (AHSC)
Federal money continues to trickle down and will likely continue as a result of November’s elections. However, even with available funds, it is often in small portions and scattered across multiple agencies. Casey indicated that Practice is going the extra mile to assist developers in identifying and applying utility-based programs to strengthen sustainability integration and resiliency.
Ali added that this holistic approach to solving problems is critical, and utilizing metrics to support the effort is part of the approach.
While it’s a crystal ball exercise to envision what the affordable housing industry can and must do to futureproof, the trio did have specific thoughts about what’s working and what should continue.
Casey specifically called out current potentials in the bipartisan infrastructure law and the inflation reduction act that will continue to make an impact, but also cited the need to be diligent in our monitoring the dedicated public resources at the federal, state, and even local levels that will be key to moving the needle in resilient and future-proofed developments. Ali also mentioned his relief that alternative funding mechanisms for specialized needs or groups like mental health people or veterans are receiving, and should continue to receive, are on the horizon.
Both Casey and Jin talked about the beneficial role that Title 24 and CalGreen requirements currently play inbuilding resilience, but they stressed the importance of pushing the team towards advanced analytics, alternative programs, and even engagement with local agencies and service providers to educate them on whole-site resilience potentials. Ali also brought reminders that the life cycle of structures is extending, so developing contextually appropriate, occupant-centric, and thoughtful partis that lead to timeless and adaptable solutions assure the relevancy of our investments today for generations to come.
All three came to a consensus that one of our key roles is to help bridge the disconnect between smaller, local governments and the aims and resources that developers can bring. Our efforts to educate can make the process easier for everyone. That includes conversations, being active on commissions, being present at community meetings, and advocating for causes and projects.
Ali Barar, Principal, Jin Kim, Associate Principal, and Casey Castor, Director of Sustainability, along with other Practice housing specialists, are regularly engaged in these types of conversations and more about the affordable housing market. You can find them at the upcoming Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH) conference, to be held October 9-10 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
