Читать книгу The Outdoor Citizen. Get Out, Give Back, Get Active онлайн

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When the late Pat Cook took on the role of Habitat’s construction manager, he made huge improvements in the design of the homes and also embraced sustainable resources. Pat was a proud member of Boston’s Dorchester community, and his method of embracing a circular economy and incorporating sustainable elements into home construction was cutting edge. Under Pat’s leadership, we created communities of well-designed, attractive, and eco-friendly homes. Habitat’s Boston branch became one of the first urban Habitat affiliates to incorporate recycled fiberboard for siding; high quality, “R-value,” insulation; passive heating window designs and window orientation; seasonal and drought-resistant planting; lower waste manufacturing through modular and panelized wall units; and high-efficiency water heaters. The new homes were more affordable for families to heat and operate, and we made sure that families knew how to do basic home maintenance and manage a maintenance and repair budget.

In the world of affordable housing, we often talk in terms of what is essential, what is desirable, and what is realistic. High-quality, environmentally friendly home design can meet all these criteria. But there are other valuable things that will improve the lives of the residents of affordable housing and can be done affordably. At the top of this list, and much too often overlooked, is making sure the homes are built in areas where critical amenities—transportation stations, schools, food stores, libraries, and health clinics—are easily accessible, and green spaces are in close proximity.