Last month, GRID Alternatives joined representatives of housing organizations, foundations, finance companies and solar companies from around the country for a White House summit on solar for multifamily affordable housing. Solar has a lot of benefits for housing authorities and other affordable housing owners, and as part of his 2013 Climate Action Plan, President Obama called for 100 MW of solar on Federally-assisted housing.
When done right, solar can also help residents get a leg up. In November, GRID Alternatives partnered with the Fresno Housing Authority for the first time to install solar on its Viking Village affordable housing complex in Fresno. Eighteen housing authority residents and family members participated in the project, both in the 5-day installation and in leading energy efficiency trainings for the whole community. One of the installation volunteers, Cynthia Mancillas, was hired on as a warehouse assistant at GRID Alternatives’ Central Valley office at the end of the project. And while the 16.7 kW system is only large enough to power common areas, the savings will help the housing authority better maintain the building and provide some new tenant services.
“Public housing is about providing great homes for people for many years to come,” said Preston Prince, CEO of the Fresno Housing Authority. “GRID Alternatives and the partnership with the housing authority is giving skills, it’s giving job training, and it’s getting people to understand the issues of their community.”
This innovative project was the culmination of a year-long effort, with support from Goldman Sachs, to explore new models for bringing the benefits of solar into multifamily developments, both public and non-profit owned. We’ve also been partnering with organizations like Green City Force, which provides career pathways for residents of New York City public housing, to get residents hands-on training, and will do even more through our new RISE initiative.
In the next year, as we ramp up our work in multifamily solar, we’ll make sure that solar isn’t just a boon for the balance sheet, it’s a career launching pad for residents, too.