Presentation from Partners in Innovation Policy Forum in Denver, CO on September 28, 2010

1. Make New Friends (but Keep the Old)
Green Approaches to Affordable Housing Preservation

2. Mercy Housing
Founded in 1981
One of the largest providers of affordable housing in
the country
On any given day, Mercy provides housing and services
to over 109,000 people
Because we are here, Provides full spectrum of housing from supportive
people live in hope. housing to affordable home ownership opportunities

3. Mercy Housing Community Impact Plan
DEFINING STABILITY
• Balance people, planet, profit in
accordance with Mercy’s
objective to develop and
operate affordable housing
• Decision making tool
APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY
• Market‐driven, economic,
practical,
common sense solutions
• Achieve sustainability through
solid business analyses and
practices

4. Green Is Smart Business
Increased expectations and requirements by partners,
clients and funders (Enterprise, HUD, MacArthur
Foundation)
Public expectations
Enhance real estate value
Protect the health of our residents, employees and
vendors
Greater appeal to the investment community
Mission

5. Mercy Housing’s Strategy
Development Process: Underwriting and
Development Guidelines.
Portfolio Operations: Procurement and Operations &
Maintenance (O&M) programs, depending on the age
and character of the individual asset resulting in
decreased operating costs. Incorporation of
Environmental Stewardship in operational excellence.
Resident Services: Programs will be identified within
Mercy Housing’s Resident Services system to further
enhance the health and well-being of residents.
Corporate & Business Centers: Assessed for optimum
ways to integrate sustainability into everyday office
activities

6. 850 Eastwood - Chicago
231 units of housing – 70% currently subsidized
At risk of market-rate conversion
Financed by Tax-Exempt Bonds, 4% LIHTC and Illinois
land donation tax credits; bundled with another deal

7. Harold Washington- Chicago
71 SRO Units – 1980s moderate rehab
Green Elements for Harold Washington and 850
Eastwood:
– Hybrid geothermal heating and cooling
system
– Energy efficient windows
– Energy Star appliances
– Energy efficient lighting
– Low-flow toilets, faucets, and fixtures

8. Aromor Apartments -
Denver
66 furnished efficiency units for formerly homeless
Amenities include:
Resident lounge
Group meeting rooms
Case management offices
Computer lab
Library
Flex offices for visiting professionals
Laundry room
24-hour front desk clerk

9. Green Elements
• TPO roof membrane (white, reflective
membrane decreases need for cooling)
• Higher than required roof insulation
• Added custom storm windows/reglazed &
refurbished existing historic windows
• Low flow faucets and toilets
• Energy Star appliances and light fixtures
• High efficiency boiler
• Reused all functional fixtures
• Reused all functional doors and tubs
• Chose furnishings to minimize the opportunity
for bed bugs, thereby decreasing the need for
fumigation
• Xeriscaped yard area
• Contractor employed stringent waste
management/recycling/salvage program that
allowed us to recycle approximately 50% of
project waste

10. The Aromor ‐ Before

11. Before

12. Before

13. Before

15. A place from which all things are possible…

16. Home grounds us, nurtures us, embraces us,
and at the same time liberates us and challenges
our spirits to soar.

17. Home to stay.

18. We all live in hope.

19. We wake up each morning hoping that today
will be better than yesterday.

20. Integrating Green Into Programs
Resident Services Programs will:
• Incorporate energy conservation and recycling into out‐of –
school time programming for kids, as we have found in
California that children can often influence their parents to
be more green.
• Partner with organizations for educational give away items
to residents (light bulbs, reusable shopping bags, etc).
• Develop recycling programs that engage all age groups.
• Incorporate energy conservation into ongoing financial
literacy/stability classes, include activities such as how to
read and understand utility bills.

21. Contact:
Jennifer Erixon
President
Mercy Housing Mountain Plains
1999 Broadway, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80202
t|303.830.3300
c|303.916.6311
Because we are here,
people live in hope.