Inadequate housing makes us vulnerable to more than just the elements.
Artwork by CMD
Climate Change
Nearly 40% of annual energy consumption and CO2 emissions come from buildings, half of that from our homes. The main source of housing-associated CO2 emissions is the burning of fossil fuels (gas, oil and propane) for household energy consumption.
We can’t mitigate climate change without transforming the way we build. New investment in housing and related infrastructure must facilitate and prioritize widespread access to and adoption of renewable energy sources.
We don’t need fossil fuels to power our homes. We have the knowledge and the technologies to create zero-emission homes everywhere, but green building remains the exception instead of the rule. We are trying to remove the barriers to building green, because time is running out.
Green For ALL
Housing injustice and environmental injustice are linked, both historically and presently. We can help mitigate climate change by addressing housing and environmental injustice together: creating widespread access to green homes and green jobs that are healthy for people and healthy for the planet.
Our zero energy housing uses less energy, produces no CO2 emissions, has low maintenance and operating costs, and is more resilient to extreme weather. Plans for JUST HOMES are made available at low cost, to reduce barriers to creating the kind of new housing needed in every community. We offer all our services on a sliding scale, to support the transition to green building and clean energy for all.
We can’t improve societal health or environmental health if green solutions are only available to wealthy people. Widespread access to better housing and better jobs benefit the community overall.
Building Right
We can transform the housing industry to build green by building right for health, durability, energy conservation and efficiency, and long-term affordability. Just Housing provides models and solutions for this kind of housing.
By designing with familiar materials and standardized assemblies and details, we reduce the learning curve to building green. We provide comprehensive drawings and specifications, to help ensure the success of each building project. We also develop and deliver curriculum and training in green building theory and practice.
JUST HOMES are designed for efficiency and conservation. Even without solar panels, these houses require just 25-35% of the energy a new home built to standard energy code would require.
We can eliminate CO2 emissions by powering our housing without fossil fuels, transitioning to all-electric operation, and by generating the needed electricity with renewable energy sources. We can also reduce the demand on the electricity grid by producing some of that renewable electricity on site with solar panels on each house.