New Report Shows Climate Impact of Affordable Housing Development
Last year, Transform used projected data to calculate that a $10 billion affordable housing bond would prevent 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. A new impact report prepared by the California Housing Partnership and Enterprise Community Partners reviewed rounds one through eight of California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. It confirms the climate impact of building affordable housing near transit. The report finds a reduction of 5.7 million metric tons of GHG emissions through building approximately 20,361 new affordable units.
The multiplier effect of affordable housing near transit
Affordable housing benefits communities and residents in multiple ways. By providing stable, long-term, affordable homes, these developments allow families to thrive. Affordable housing near transit gives residents the option to take a bus or train instead of driving, which can significantly reduce their transportation budget. Transit can also give independence to older youth who can get around on their own, giving them opportunities to participate in enrichment activities even if no adult is available to give them a ride. It also allows older adults and people with physical disabilities who can no longer drive the opportunity to get around independently and age in place.
The climate benefits of affordable infill homes are often overlooked, but they shouldn’t be. Dense, affordable housing that allows residents to walk, bike, or take a bus or train to common destinations is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When you add that to the many other benefits of providing housing that people of all income levels can afford, programs like the AHSC are immensely valuable and deserve greater investment.
Preserving and increasing affordable housing funding
Transform’s advocacy is informed by an understanding of the central role of affordable housing near transit in preventing the worsening of the climate crisis. We are working to bring the $10 billion affordable housing bond before Bay Area voters in 2028. And we are advocating to preserve AHSC funding in the reauthorization of the Cap-and-Trade Program and increase affordable housing funding through that program.
Read the full report about GHG reductions from building affordable infill housing.
