Sustainable Pittsburgh

Policy Recommendations for Transition Teams

April, 2000

 

ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Overview

The scope of services of the Allegheny County Housing Authority that are focused on in this paper are limited to facility operation and building construction only. The Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) operates in 41 communities serving low income and elderly residents with approximately 3500 units. There are several mixed income and Hope VI initiatives currently underway. These communities will provide new housing opportunities for residents.

This new construction presents unique opportunities for ACHA to explore sustainable design and the integration of their current systems. As the ACHA designs new structures, an emphasis must be placed upon sustainability and resident quality of life issues.

 

Opportunities

A basic tenet of sustainability is the efficient use of existing resources. The Allegheny County Housing Authority can become a leader in this arena by maximizing the effectiveness of its current properties. This often points toward retrofitting and remodeling as opposed to demolition and rebuilding. It clearly points to careful planning regarding choice of materials, building and design techniques, training of facilities’ personnel and disposal strategies. In the operation of buildings, it points to the implementation of Pollution Prevention, (P2) and Energy Efficiency, (E2) techniques that are both environmentally and bottom line friendly.

The ACHA is currently operating under a performance contract for energy consumption reduction through the retrofitting existing buildings. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided an incentive for housing authorities to adopt measures that reduce energy consumption and utility expenses.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following is a list of recommendations that ACHA can implement to ensure sustainability in all facets of their operations.

Create a Housing Authority policy on sustainable building to yield cost savings to the taxpayers, reduce operating costs, provide healthy work environments for staff and visitors, and protect, conserve, and enhance the region’s environmental resources. Additionally, help to set a community standard of sustainable building.

Create building designs that incorporate the utilization of natural resources such as day-lighting to reduce the need for additional lighting and natural barriers to reduce heat requirements.

Implement building designs that utilize recycled, and environmental friendly and non toxic components.

Energy/utility retro-fits at the all of ACHA administrative, maintenance and non residential building locations. These can include energy efficient fixtures and water conservation equipment.

Obtain building materials through Construction Junction, a collaborative effort that advocates for and provides recycled and reusable building materials.

As units are demolished or converted, the ACHA can require contractors to dispose of quality building material as a contribution to Construction Junction. Construction Junction in turn offers the materials to other contractors, home improvement handymen and others that require quality material.

Implement a recycling program at all facilities. Arrange with the refuse collection provider to offer an additional collection of resident recycled material.

Currently ACHA has approximately $260,000 in collection contracts to collect garbage at its 41 facilities. ACHA could explore the feasibility to expand these contracts to include a waste management and minimization strategy.

Coordinate the purchasing of all cleaning, maintenance and office supplies to ensure that these items are made from recycled and earth-friendly components. This effort could allow these items to be purchased at a cost equal to or slightly less than the current products.

Explore with the Energy Services Company additional measures to expand the scope of their performance contract. It is possible to include additional conservation measures if the required pay back is met.

Implement water conservation measures.

Explore the supply side of the performance contract to gain additional savings. The coordinated purchase of gas and electric may increase savings retained by the ACHA and allow for implementation of these sustainable measures.