The VCHR Blog

yeganeh's picture
Apr
09
2021

Feasibility of zero-energy affordable housing

By Armin Yeganeh

While renewable energy is rapidly growing in worldwide adoption, approximately 89 percent of the energy consumed in the United States comes from non-renewable sources like coal, gas, and nuclear power. Of that energy produced, the residential sector accounts for approximately 21 percent of consumption. Simultaneously, almost half of all renter households are cost-burdened due to poverty and rapidly rising housing prices in metro areas. The residential sector in the U.S.

yeganeh's picture
Jan
23
2021

Climate change policy adoption in U.S. cities

By Armin Yeganeh

Despite worldwide attention to climate change, national leadership in the US has played a marginal role in creating strong collaborative networks to confront climate change. Some state governments have been more active, but the level of engagement and leadership has been mixed; thus, leaving a great deal of responsibility in the hands of municipal governments.

yeganeh's picture
Dec
26
2020

Green affordable housing: Cost-benefit analysis for zoning incentives

By Armin Yeganeh

US states have integrated green building with affordable housing programs to achieve multiple environmental objectives, e.g., improving energy efficiency and water conservation, increasing indoor environmental quality, providing safe, healthy, and productive built environments, and promoting sustainable environmental stewardship. Simultaneously, empirical measures have shown that green building increases housing affordability, through energy-efficiency savings that constitute a significant percentage of the annual income of extremely low-, very low-, and low-income families.

yeganeh's picture
Nov
16
2020

Green building and policy innovation in the US Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program

By Armin Yeganeh

What components of green building are promoted in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program? What happens to innovative green building criteria after adoption? Are all US states contributing equally to environmental sustainability through the LIHTC program? Why are some LIHTC-allocating agencies more innovative than others in adopting and maintaining green building criteria?

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