ALACHUA COUNTY Energy Conservation Strategies Commission Residential Subcommittee Report to ECSC Committee January 3, 2008

ECSC Residential Housing Subcommittee Strategy Plan Develop Residential Housing Subcommittee Environmental Mission Statement 1.Identify Tasks, Strategy, & Approach using a Strategy Template to outline: Issues Goals Action Plan 2.Further apply the Strategy Template to Housing Mix to yield committee report and PowerPoint

Alachua County Housing Mix Residential Area Characteristics Owner- Occupied Rentals Large multi-family Single family Absentee Owners Unique Market: Student Housing Kiddie Condos Owned & rented New Construction Existing Construction

Alachua County Housing Mix Residential Housing Subcategories Existing Construction New Construction

Alachua County Housing Mix Existing Residential Housing Types Attainable ≤80% Median Income Residential ≥80% Median Income 1-4 Units/Bldg ≥ 5 Units/Bldg

Attainable Residential Issues: Age of structure, basic health and safety, ability to weatherize Retrofit vs. redevelop Occupant behavior Special needs for education Access to capital Loan creditworthiness Identify % of low income that are owner-occupied vs. renter occupied Low-low income <60^ median income Low Income 80% median income

Attainable Residential Goals: Develop creative financing for retrofits and/or home ownership Education to address different and unique needs for this market segment Potentially convert funds geared for high carbon emission projects, coal plants, to create a bond for green retrofit loans Low-low income <60^ median income Low Income 80% median income

Attainable Residential Action Plan: Getting access to capital for green retrofits Map out green marketing/education component Central purchasing Low-low income <60^ median income Low Income 80% median income

Existing Residential Issues: Age of structure Occupant behavior Education Access to capital Built before % - 92,884 units Owner Occupied 51% - 48,047 Renter Occupied 49% Owner Occupied Family 35% Non Family 16% Renter Occupied Family 16% Non Family 33% Single Detached 49% - 55,622 Mobile Home 8% - 9,672

Existing Residential Goals: Invest in conservation first Invest in weatherization and low-cost improvements Then invest in high cost improvements (AC, Windows, Energy Star appliances, insulation, radiant barriers, etc.) Built before % - 92,884 units Owner Occupied 51% - 48,047 Renter Occupied 49% Owner Occupied Family 35% Non Family 16% Renter Occupied Family 16% Non Family 33% Single Detached 49% - 55,622 Mobile Home 8% - 9,672

Existing Residential Action Plan: Involve local leaders and local businesses in supporting and promoting residential energy and water conservation A carbon Tax based on electricity consumption should be considered. (i.e. If daily consumption per sq Ft is 10% higher than average, pay carbon tax) To establish a minimum “energy efficiency code” for landlords. Built before % - 92,884 units Owner Occupied 51% - 48,047 Renter Occupied 49% Owner Occupied Family 35% Non Family 16% Renter Occupied Family 16% Non Family 33% Single Detached 49% - 55,622 Mobile Home 8% - 9,672

Issues: 72% total structures use electric heat 100% A/C electric Difficult to change from electric to alternative fuel sources Greenhouse gas emissions are higher for electric and than gas ≥5 units/bldg 38.4% Existing ≥5 Units/Bldg Residential

Goals: Separate out energy >5 units Identify mechanical systems and age of buildings and/or units Reduce consumption ≥5 units/bldg 38.4% Existing ≥5 Units/Bldg Residential

Action Plan: Bulk purchasing Focus on behavior change of both owners and tenants Focus on upgrading A/C SEER rather than heat source Focus on windows, insulation, water heaters, water aerators ≥5 units/bldg 38.4% Existing ≥5 Units/Bldg Residential

Alachua County Housing Mix New Construction Single Family Residential SFR Attached Town homes Condos 1-4 Units/Bldg ≥5 Units/Bldg

Residential New Construction Issues: No green building program adopted by municipality Need to resolve market confusion to answer “What is Green?” Lack of Community Green Education Lack of Private Sector/industry education Need to validate efforts to diminish green-washing – or “Talking the Talk, and not Walking the Walk” Lack of buy-in in public and private sectors Single- family Detached Single- family Attached (town home/ condo)

Residential New Construction Goals: Adopt Green Building Resolution to address all residential sustainable needs: energy, water, health, site, waste reduction, green materials, disaster-resistency Identify approved green rating programs Map out a Green Marketing Plan Develop a Performance-based Sustainable Incentive program that is tied to 3 rd party green ratings Identify Funding Sources; i.e., Impact Fee Discounts/waivers Single- family Detached Single- family Attached (town home/ condo)

Residential New Construction Action plan: Draft a Sustainable Incentive program to Green Building Resolution Draft Identify Funding Sources Seek BOCC Approval for Green Building Resolution Single- family Detached Single- family Attached (town home/ condo)