In many areas in the country, home prices are growing faster than incomes are increasing. Making sure homes stay affordable once they are occupied is essential in keeping costs down once they’re occupied.
Collaborating on projects is becoming more and more popular when attainability is of utmost importance.
In Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, Commissioners are working with the Florida Home Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit community home builder to build seven zero energy homes. The houses will utilize solar panels and aim for monthly electric bills of $20 or less. Other features will include metal roofing and concrete walls for hurricane resistance and lower insurance premiums.
Along with their collaboration with Florida Home Partnership, Hillsborough County has also secured a $150,000 grant from Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has a history in housing philanthropy and recently announced a partnership with Enterprise Community Partners to create the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The national competition will be aimed at finding innovative and scalable solutions for subjects like construction costs, financing and resident services.
"What we want to do is start the conversation about what's possible with technology that's right there, right now." Mike Morina, Executive Director of Florida Home Partnership, said.
"The good news is we have a growing economy," Overman said. "But we need housing for people to live in. And this is one way to make that happen."
With over 100,000 people searching for portable housing in the Hillsborough County area, seven homes may not seem like a lot. But successful, proven, scalable models are the only way we are going to make progress. Let us know what other interesting partnerships you’ve heard about that are paving the way to create energy efficient, affordable homes.