Evidence Matters: Spring 2017

June 23, 2017  

The Spring 2017 issue of Evidence Matters: Transforming Knowledge Into Housing and Community Development Policy, which focuses on building materials, is now available. This issue examines how innovations in building materials affect housing affordability, energy efficiency, and resilience to natural disasters. Additionally, this issue of Evidence Matters highlights three initiatives that offer financing and other supports for energy retrofits and home disaster mitigation efforts.

Key Findings

• Innovations in building materials may lower construction costs by eliminating unnecessary materials, substituting less expensive materials, or streamlining processes and energy-efficient upgrades can lower energy costs. These savings, if passed on to buyers and renters, can make housing more affordable.
• In many cases, materials and technologies that enhance a building’s energy efficiency can also make the building more durable and resilient to threats posed by natural disasters.
• Innovative programs such as Energy Savers in Chicago assist multifamily building owners with technical and financial expertise to improve heating, lighting, and insulation. The South Carolina Safe House and MyStrongHome programs offer funding to help homeowners strengthen their homes against storm damage and reduce their insurance premiums.

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