A qualitative assessment of experiences with selected green technologies in affordable multifamily housing

Abstract

This exploratory study was conducted to assess information about selected green technologies used in affordable multifamily housing in Minnesota to identify if they were perceived to operate as intended and their influences on residents’ well-being. The technologies selected were identified by an advisory committee because the technologies were installed to meet goals of sustainability of the affordable housing. Developers, architects, managers, and residents of five buildings utilizing one of the selected technologies were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed and themes were identified. Analysis led to identifying which information and from who was of most importance in meeting the housing needs of low-income households with innovative and efficient housing that will improve the quality of life for residents while saving long-term operating costs.

Keywords:

• affordable multifamily housing
• green technology

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded in part by the McKnight Foundation (#12-457) and by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Project #53-045.

Notes on contributors

Becky L. Yust

Becky Yust, Ph.D., is a professor of housing studies at the College of Design, University of Minnesota. She teaches courses on: household housing norms, decisions and constraints in finding housing; and, multifamily housing development, finance, and management. Her research includes investigating housing adequacy and affordability, healthy housing initiatives, and improving the design of affordable housing.

Michael Urness

Michael Urness, M.S., is a graduate student in housing studies at the College of Design, University of Minnesota. His recently completed Master’s thesis examined the housing expectations and aspirations of aging lesbians and gay men. As he completes his doctorate, he hopes to continue to study the unique housing concerns of the diverse LGBT community.

Deborah Mitchell

Deborah Mitchell, M.S., is a Ph.D. student in housing studies at the College of Design, University of Minnesota. She has over 20 years of work with non-profits and supportive housing programs. Her research focuses on housing needs for homeless and low-income families.

William G. Weber

William Weber, MArch, is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Building Research, and Director of the M.S. in Sustainable Design at the School of Architecture, University of Minnesota. His research focuses on sustainability in affordable housing through applied research and tools to evaluate aesthetic, economic, and environmental goals.

Abbie Loosen

Abbie Loosen, MArch, works to develop high-quality, sustainable, affordable housing in the Twin Cities. She has over seven years of experience as a project manager at Project for Pride in Living, where her projects have ranged from single-family for-sale developments to affordable family housing, to supportive housing for homeless youth.