Focus on Energy Efficiency in Affordable Units for Elderly and Disabled

Beginning in 2011, HUD has established specific requirements for increasing energy and water conservation in acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation project applications for Section 202 and Section 811 housing for elderly and disabled households. Conservation and energy efficiency strategies must be incorporated into the design, construction, and operation of all projects. HUD provides an incentive to encourage sponsors and owners to develop their projects using the principles of green building design.

To assist sponsors and owners of Section 202 and Section 811 projects in reducing operating costs, HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research has published Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Green Building Design in Section 202 and Section 811 Programs. This report offers tools, resources, and case studies of successful energy efficiency practices in 202 and 811 housing. The case studies are of five organizations actively involved in increasing the use of energy efficiency, water conservation, and green building features in Section 202 or Section 811 developments. Key elements of each organization’s efforts to implement energy-efficient and green housing strategies are described, along with how these organizations have experienced and confronted fundamental challenges. Lessons learned by these organizations include the following:

• For new construction projects, energy modeling and performance data from existing buildings can help with the selection of the most cost-effective features for a planned building.
• For existing buildings, utility usage and costs help inform decisions about cost-effective improvements for existing buildings and identify savings from operations.
• For new construction and gut rehabilitation projects, the type of energy efficiency or green building standard to be followed must be tailored based on property conditions, the business objectives identified for the property, and available resources.
• Use certification programs to inform decisions about which energy efficiency strategies and green measures to implement.
• Drawing on a variety of existing resources can improve decisionmaking.