"Regenerative housing" combines net positive housing (housing that creates more energy than is used ) with planned unit and conservation design principles to promote smart growth. What will it take to establish Regenerative Housing in our region...at a price that working Vermonters can afford? Join us over two evenings, Thursday, September 17 and Thursday, September 24 as we explore the challenges and potential solutions.
Thursday, Sept. 17: Tracks 1 & 2:
1. Understanding the Housing Market Challenges: Depressed property values in our region don’t support market rate and workforce housing, nevertheless, we must be poised for change! Our unparalleled recreation opportunities could drive more people to the region, especially in the face of COVID. How can we transform our housing stock to meet new demand?
2. Energy Innovations in Regenerative Housing: What are the best practices for improving performance in the region’s housing stock? Are there innovations that can be incorporated into local stretch energy codes, while remaining mindful of cost consideration? And, finally, what are the most appropriate benchmarks for measuring home performance?
Thursday, Sept. 24th: Tracks 3 & 4:
3. Funding Workforce Housing: It is critical to identify an effective combination of subsidies and incentives that make energy efficient workforce housing a viable investment. This track explores different funding sources that could be leveraged in a workforce housing project.
3. Local Action for Regenerative Housing: While several communities in the region have adopted zoning incentives to encourage affordable housing, incentives alone fail to drive housing demand. What actions can local governments take to encourage regenerative housing that meets the needs of the workforce? What regulatory reform is needed to make local action more effective?
Both evening sessions -- which will feature panel discussions and time for Q&A -- will start promptly at 6:30.
This series is recommended for planning commissioners, energy committee members, other local officials...and anyone with an interest in improving housing stock! The webinar is free, but please register.
