Final Report

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country Initiative

May 2011-May 2013

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Visit PD&R’s website

www.huduser.org

to find this report and others sponsored by HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R). Other services of HUD USER, PD&R’s research information service, include listservs, special interest reports, bimonthly publications (best practices, significant studies from other sources), access to public use databases, and a hotline (800-245-2691) for help accessing the information you need.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Final Report

Sustainable Construction in

Indian Country Initiative

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Office of Policy Development and Research

Prepared by:

Lynda Lantz

Laura Appelbaum

FirstPic, Inc.

May 2011-May 2013

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Acknowledgements

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country effort was funded under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Offices of Policy Development & Research. Contractor FirstPic, Inc.

would like to thank former Assistant Secretary Dr. Raphael Bostic, Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy Development at the Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) Todd Richardson, and Deputy Assistant Secretary Rodger Boyd for their leadership on this effort. We also want to acknowledge that support and guidance provided by Michael Blanford, Government Technical Monitor, and Anna Lloyd, Government Technical Representative, and Kevin Fitzgibbons, Eastern Woodlands Office of Native

American Programs (EWONAP) (retired).

We would like to thank the HUD Area Office staff who served as SCInIC contacts:

David Vought, AKONAP (retired)

Brian Gillen, EWONAP

Randy Akers, NPONAP

Tom Carney and Lisa Stewart, NWONAP

Michelle Tinnen, SPONAP

Sarah Olson, SWONAP

We would also like to thank the other members of the SCinIC technical team who shared their expertise with the demonstration projects and in telling the projects’ stories.

Laura Appelbaum, FirstPic, Inc.

Kate Brown, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Building Research Council

Aaron Cooke, Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC)

Nathaniel Corum, Architecture for Humanity

Jonathan Heller, Ecotope

Daniel Glenn, 7 Directions Architects/Planners

Judith Grunau, CCHRC

Jack Hebert, CCHRC

Kevin Hinders, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Paul Knight, Domus Plus

Erma Maves, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Building Research Council

Ken McCown, University of Nevada at Las Vegas

Robert Nemeth, FirstPic, Inc.

Christine Velez, FirstPic, Inc.

Stacy Weibley, FirstPic, Inc.

Most of all, we would like to thank the housing authorities and departments, tribes, and communities of the demonstration projects, whose innovations and hard work give us inspiration.

Laurie Ann Cloud, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority

Retha Herne, Akwesasne Housing Authority

Linda Jestes, Housing Authority of the Pawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

Henry Mark, Native Village of Kwinhagak

Mark Parrish, Department of Natural Resources, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

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Michael R

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eed, Cocopah Indian and Housing Development

y

James Williams, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Environmental Services

Eric Willis, Choctaw Housing Authority

Aneva J. Yazzie, Navajo Housing Authority

Disclaimer

The contents of this report are the views of the contractor and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the U.S. government.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Foreword

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has worked as a partner with Native

American communities since the Department’s creation in 1965. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996 moved that partnership to a new level. NAHASDA

emphasized flexibility that led directly to some of the wonderful examples of sustainable housing described in this report that are taking place in Indian Country.

These innovations are needed now more than ever. Indian Country faces new challenges related to energy and climate. Although these challenges resonate globally, within the United States, Native American communities are more likely to be affected by these challenges because of their often-remote locations and disproportionately low income levels. American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages may already face high fuel costs because of their remote locations, and these costs are exacerbated by volatile fuel prices. Extreme weather conditions can also drive up fuel costs, cause additional fuel needs, and threaten housing stock.

In implementing the Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative, HUD has found that many tribes and villages are already taking steps to weatherize their housing to increase consumer comfort and energy efficiency and to decrease utility and maintenance costs. Every HUD region has many exciting examples of Native American residential housing using sustainable technologies. These examples include, but are not limited to, the use of structural insulated panels in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, lava block manufacture at the Pueblo of Isleta, straw bale construction at the Coeur D’Alene Tribe of Indians, and a geothermal system in a development of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. As part of the demonstration project selection process and training sessions, Native American communities shared their experiences in working together to gain the knowledge required to make informed choices about the sustainable technologies that are best adapted and most cost effective in their regions and communities. Even more communities asked how they could do the same.

Still, the distance that HUD has come in constructing new housing, renovating deteriorating units, and demolishing substandard housing may not always be remembered in the face of painful continuing

concerns about overcrowding and substandard units. It can be hard to plan for the future when many pressing needs are in the present. Investments made wisely today, however, will contribute to increased prosperity, economic health, and an improved ability to meet housing needs tomorrow. HUD applauds these communities for their commitment to their communities and to the world.

Katherine M. O’Regan

Assistant Secretary for

Policy Development and Research

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................vi

Initiative Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................vi

Key Findings ...................................................................................................................................................................................vii

Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................................... x

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................1

Historical Reference to Sustainability in Native American Communities .....................................................................2

Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................2

Stewardship and Living in Harmony ......................................................................................................................................3

Traditional View of Nature .........................................................................................................................................................4

Social Marketing Related to Environmental Sustainability in Native American Communities ............................6

Background .......................................................................................................................................................................................6

Social Marketing and Energy Conservation ........................................................................................................................7

One Native Community and Energy Efficiency Audits ...................................................................................................8

Effect on SCinIC .......................................................................................................................................................................................9

Relationship of HUD Housing and Native American Communities ............................................................................... 11

United States Housing Act of 1937 and Establishment of the Office of Native American Programs ....... 11

NAHASDA ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14

HUD Sustainable Support for Housing in Indian Country ......................................................................................... 15

Task Overview and Implementation........................................................................................................................................... 18

The Review of Current Activities .......................................................................................................................................... 18

National Impediments Meeting ............................................................................................................................................. 18

Demonstration Projects ............................................................................................................................................................ 19

Outreach .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Training ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 23

Findings and Recommendations From the Review of Current Activities ................................................................... 26

Findings ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Ranking and Recommendations From National Impediments Meeting ..................................................................... 29

Ranking ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 29

Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 30

Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 37

References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 39

Appendix A: The Review of Current Activities (July 18, 2011)

Appendix B: National Meeting Report

Appendix C: Case Studies

Appendix C-1

Appendix C-2

Appendix C-3

Appendix C-4

Appendix C-5

Appendix C-6

Appendix C-7

Appendix D: Training Materials

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Executive Summary

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country (SCinIC) initiative was a congressionally mandated effort of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Policy Development and Research, in partnership with the HUD Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). The initiative promoted and supported sustainable construction practices in Native American communities1 through a range of tasks.

Initiative Overview

The initiative included four tasks.

• The review of current activities identified Native American communities that had or were developing on sustainable construction projects, funding resources, and technical assistance (TA) resources as of July 18, 2011.

• A national impediments meeting identified impediments to sustainable construction practices and opportunities for TA and training for the Native American communities.

• Demonstration projects were sought that could be featured in best practice case studies. These case studies will enable others to benefit from these best practices.

• Training was made available to Native American communities based on results of the other initiative tasks.

Sustainability can be defined in many ways. For purposes of this contract, the initiative defined sustainability using the U.S. Green Building Council definition of green homes, as being generally

“healthier, more comfortable, more durable, and more energy efficient and have a much smaller

environmental footprint than conventional homes.”2

The SCinIC initiative was designed to provide types of assistance that can play a role in promoting understanding about the benefits of sustainable construction technologies. Between 2011 and 2013, it has—

• Educated demonstration project teams about the range of sustainable construction technologies available.

• Provided supplemental TA to help tribes incorporate appropriate sustainable technologies into their residential construction projects.

• Helped build relationships among tribal staff and sustainability industry specialists that grow the capacity of both parties and facilitate sustainable design and implementation.

• Promoted the use of available tools for helping tribes make informed decisions about which

sustainable construction technologies to implement. Potential tools include free blower-door

1 Native American communities refers to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. As defined in NAHASDA, the terms “tribe,”

“Indian tribe” and “American Indian tribe” are used throughout to refer to Indian tribes, bands, nations and other organized groups or communities including Alaska Native villages or regional and village corporations.

2 U.S. Green Building Council (2007): 4.

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ee modeling and benefit analysis software, and the U.S. Department y

of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program TA.

• Highlighted regional best practice case studies of successful tribal sustainable projects.

• Supported tribes in collecting energy-related data for demonstrating energy and rehabilitation benchmarks and savings associated with sustainable technologies. This assistance can show

savings for tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) and residents.

Key Findings

Analysis of the SCinIC activities supports the following key findings.

1. Many obstacles to sustainable development in Indian Country are the same as the obstacles to conventional development in Indian Country.

These obstacles include disruptions to the—often short—building cycle; the length of time to

navigate requirements imposed by federal programs, funding, and tribal leadership; staff turnover; land ownership and usage issues; and political roadblocks.

2. The dilemma between more housing and better housing can undermine the desire for

sustainable construction.

Overcrowding and pent-up desire for housing combine with limited housing authority budgets

to complicate new housing production and rehabilitation decisions in many Native American

communities. The upfront costs and sometimes the perceptions of sustainable construction as

luxury can defeat efforts to make housing healthier, more durable, less expensive to operate,

and more energy efficient. On the other hand, rehabilitating older housing with appropriate

sustainable technologies might be a way to avoid some criticism and make similar gains in health, durability, and utility savings.

3. Obstacles specific to sustainable development can also impede the adoption of

technologies.

Tribal housing authority staff, planners, and architects or engineers may not be familiar with the track record of different sustainable technologies within their climate. They may then disregard certain technologies or, if using them, fail to maintain them properly. Tribal force account3

construction crews and local non-Native construction teams may have to bring in outside

specialists to assist with installation or construction, increasing costs and potentially decreasing employment opportunities for tribal members.

4. Obstacles to sustainable development are often rural development obstacles.

Rural Native American communities often pay more for materials or have difficulty locating

sustainable materials. Shipping materials long distances—when possible at all—can undermine

the goal of decreasing the carbon footprint and can increase the development expenditures.

3

Tribal force account refers to the method of construction controlled by the tribe or TDHE rather than contracted out. The tribe uses tribal employees or members to do construction work.

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e American communities also experienced difficulties locating affordable, nearby, or y

experienced installation or maintenance specialists. The cost and difficulty decreases the cost-effectiveness or the lifetime of the technology.

5. Resources exist to help alleviate some of the top obstacles specific to sustainabilty

identified in the national meeting, including building codes, capacity building, and

planning—but these resources are not adequate to need.

An active federal interagency workgroup has been addressing issues of tribal building codes. TA and training, often regional in nature, exist to support capacity building, but tribes outside a region may not know what is taking place elsewhere. Federal and other opportunities exist to encourage master-planning efforts, but these resources are not well known and many more tribes need

planning support than these resources can support.

6. Training and technical support for new green residential construction for tribes is focused in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southwest. The opportunities for Native American

communities to receive these needed services in other regions of the country are more

limited.

One of the critical factors in supporting and increasing sustainable residential construction in Indian Country is having several organizations that provide training and TA with new green

construction projects. Although several organizations do a lot of work with tribes, relatively few organizations provide training and TA on new sustainable construction in Indian Country. For

example, key informants often mentioned the same entities in a given region: Cascadia Green

Building Council in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Cold Climate Housing Research Center

in Alaska, and the Enterprise Green Communities program in the Southwest. Increasing the

sustainability of existing homes has more support, with the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) and HUD offering training and regional workshops.

7. Educational groups, such as tribal colleges, can help tribal members acquire professional green building skills and foster tribal capacity building, another example of tribes helping tribes. Tribal colleges, however, are primarily clustered in the Great Lakes, the Dakotas,

Montana, and the Southwest.

Educational organizations include Construction in Indian Country, in partnership with Arizona

State University, and the College of the Menominee Nation. Although Red Feather Development

Group and the Zuni Housing Authority have implemented successful models for increasing housing

authorities’ capacity to do their own sustainable construction projects, they are the exception rather than the rule. Most tribes depend on local construction firms and use tribal members in

only relatively unskilled capacities. Further, in at least one ONAP region, tribes reported difficulty accessing construction firms with experience in sustainable construction technologies.

8. Strong enthusiasm exists among those who are implementing sustainable technologies.

At the training sessions and during the selection interviews, it became apparent that tribes that had already implemented sustainable technologies had champions who were strongly committed

to the technologies and had the political ability to inspire others. This phenomenon seemed

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est and the west coast. These champions frequently expressed y

interest in getting the word out to other Native American communities.

9. More tribes wanted help with sustainable design and construction than were able to

receive it.

This finding is positive in that it illustrates the enthusiasm for exploring sustainable technologies in Indian Country. It also shows, however, that more resources are needed—both TA and

financing—than are currently available.

10. Funding is still mostly limited to federal resources.

Federal funding is still the source of the most capital for housing development or rehabilitation.

The investment and housing finance industries, when they are familiar with Indian Country at all, hesitate to enter financial relationships because of political and land-ownership issues. Still, tribes are adding funding sources to their toolkits by working with Native community development

financial institutions, among other solutions.

11. Capacity building can include a broad range of skill sets.

Capacity building, which in the area of Native American housing development is often taken to

mean the ability to construct housing inhouse, is an economic development tool. The adoption of new technology and the ability to take on housing projects sized to both address overcrowding

and allow for economies of scale can strain inhouse resources, however. Capacity building also

means knowing how to request and receive specific outcomes from potential consultants and

subcontractors, manage subcontractors, control the quality of work, manage the process, and

harness the data to gain educated estimates of cost-effectiveness.

12. Sustainable features are often linked with cultural features.

As indicated in the section, “Historical

Reference to Sustainability in

Native American Communities,”

sustainability is integral to many

Native American communities.

Instances exist of reinvigorating

traditional building styles to be

better adapted to climate, as in the

octagonal shape of a house in the

Native Village of Kwinhagak (Alaska).

Sustainable housing, however, also

can include ensuring that culturally

relevant features are part of the

Native Village of Kwinhagak Energy Efficient Single Family

initial design, such as orienting

Housing Under Construction

duplexes for the Nez Perce Tribe of

Indians to the east in accordance with

Image: Cold Climate Housing Research Center for HUD SCinIC

past practices.

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Together with other federal agencies and other committed partners, this initiative has implemented strategies that led to a new perspective for some and a deeper understanding of green for others. The SCinIC activities scratched the surface of potential support, however. Additional changes to policy, continued education, tools to support change, and increased federal agency cooperation are needed to continue to support tribes in making their housing more sustainable. The following recommendations promote continuing support for sustainable construction.

1. Leverage available federal resources and materials to support tribes and TDHEs.

Resources include, but are not limited to, the SCinIC case studies, the interagency Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup, and the HUD grantees—especially tribal and rural grantees—under the

Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) to increase knowledge of the benefits of

sustainable construction. The past grantees may be able to provide voluntary advice, mentorship, or networking support. Federal entities may encourage tribes to participate in EPA tribal TA and training opportunities or disseminate available HUD materials, including SCinIC case studies.

2. To support tribes in making informed decisions about when an investment is reasonable,

assist tribes in accessing resources that will help them determine the true cost-

effectiveness of sustainable materials and strategies.

This recommendation may include access to modeling and other software or certification services, but it may also include information on how to request needed services and evaluate data provided by sustainability professionals.

3. Encourage Native sustainable construction champions to participate in training and

conferences to discuss their own projects, but also to assist in inspiring and training a new and larger wave of sustainable building proponents.

The best examples for Native American communities are other successful Native American

communities. As indicated in the recommendations, tribal representatives who use sustainable

technologies and materials are eager to spread the word. Their words may be especially

convincing to other communities that have not yet tested sustainable construction.

4. Host a green building blog at HUD and use it to actively promote Native sustainable building models and conversations with tribes.

A blog can provide a low-cost, easily shared strategy for disseminating information about

successes and challenges in Indian Country and providing a space for discussion.

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Federal programs often have flexibility to include incentives for green building in notices of

funding availability. Additional flexibility exists in waiver opportunities that can be linked to sustainable construction and the ability to leverage federal funds to encourage private investment.

Another way to encourage a longer term and interrelated view of development is by coordinating

funding opportunities among federal agencies.

6. Support funding for and partnerships with tribal colleges and other colleges and

universities with a strong American Indian and Alaska Native presence in their efforts to

create sustainable training programs.

Tribal colleges are one source of capacity building for the next generation of leaders in Indian Country. They are already taking steps to offer degree and certificate courses in sustainable

construction that will strengthen economies in Native American communities and provide

generations of young workers with critical green-collar economy skills that will be in demand on and off the reservation.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Introduction

In 2010, the first year of the Transformation Initiative (TI), the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Act made as much as 1 percent of program funds available for (1) research, evaluation, and program metrics; (2) program demonstrations; (3) technical assistance (TA); and (4) information technology. One 2-year program that Congress mandated through the TI was the Sustainable Construction in Indian Country (SCinIC) initiative. This initiative fulfilled many TI goals and brought increased attention to the issue of sustainable construction practices within Indian Country.

TI is part of a reinvention of HUD that leverages technology and a new way of doing business to respond to the need for increased transparency and improved service delivery. The SCinIC initiative benefited from TI’s infusion of much-needed funding into the neglected areas of program demonstrations

and innovative, crosscutting TA that goes beyond program compliance to improve grantee capacity, performance, and outcomes. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) plays two roles in the TI, administering the research and demonstrations and serving as the technical lead department wide on TA projects.

The purpose of SCinIC was to facilitate sustainable construction in Indian Country by providing TA and by documenting these activities and disseminating the results. PD&R undertook the following tasks to promote sustainable construction in Indian Country: (1) it selected specific qualified sites that volunteered as Indian sustainable construction demonstration partners, (2) it provided TA to the demonstration partners to assist them in using sustainable building techniques in housing developments, and (3) it documented the activities undertaken in this project and assisted in disseminating the demonstration results to a wider audience.

This final report comprehensively documents activities, successes, and lessons learned during the 2-year course of this initiative.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Historical Reference to Sustainability in Native American

Communities4

Overview

Sustainable construction within the

Native American world, as elsewhere, is

implemented for cost savings, energy savings,

enhanced durability, and environmental

benefit. The practice of sustainability in

American Indian tribes, however, also carries

with it a strong cultural component that is

both contemporary and traditional. Most

North American Indian tribes practiced

environmental sustainability, or respect

Sunrise Acres Housing on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation

for the environment. Environmental

sustainability is the “philosophy and practice

Image: Akwesasne Housing Authority

in which people do not extract more resources

from the environment than necessary, leaving resources available for future generations.”5 Thus, it was fully consistent when the executive director of the Akwesasne Housing Authority (AHA), Retha Herne, stated at a training session that AHA’s sustainable housing development, Sunrise Acres, expresses itself culturally through its use of renewable energy and its land use conservation practices.6

Tribal cultures express their view of nature and the environment in several ways. The concept of seven-generation sustainability, which originated with the Iroquois, said that people must consider the effect of their actions on the seventh generation—that is, look into the future before they make decisions about the present. The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations: The Great Binding Law includes the passage, “Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground—the unborn of the future Nation.”7

Contemporary tribal leaders and advocates of many tribes articulate similar views. Oren Lyons, Chief of the Onondaga Nation, wrote, “We are looking ahead, as is one of the first mandates given us as chiefs, to make sure and to make every decision that we make relates to the welfare and well-being of the seventh generation to come.”8 Lyons’ viewpoint is not limited to a particular tribe. Lydia Sigo, a Suquamish Indian and Suquamish Museum archivist/curator, said, “In traditional cultures, we try to look to the next seven generations. My concern is trying to sustain the environment for those future generations.”9 Winona LaDuke, an environmental activist from the White Earth Reservation, stated, “Elders used to tell younger 4

Native American communities refers to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. As defined in NAHASDA, the terms “tribe,”

“Indian tribe,” and “American Indian tribe” are used throughout to refer to Indian tribes, bands, and nations or other organized groups or communities including Alaska Native villages or regional and village corporations.

5 Sustainable UCR (2009).

6 Herne (May 8, 2013).

7 “Constitution of Iroquois Nation.” Available at http://www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm (accessed April 29, 2013).

8 Lyons (1994).

9 Grimley (2008).

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or 1,000 years without destroying the land” and that a similar y

care for the environment could be seen in some families adopting older traditions.10 In addition, Bonnie Butterfield wrote, “Many Native Americans had no concept of land ownership. Land was a gift from the creator and used in common by the whole society for survival and sustenance.”11

Stewardship and Living in Harmony

The fundamental way that American Indians related to nature before the Europeans arrived has been described as follows.

Indians generally considered themselves to be just one among many entities in an animate world, living according to culturally defined canons of respect for other members, while nevertheless

developing tools and technologies that allowed them to provide for their own subsistence.12

Native Americans, including Lakota lawyer and author Vine Deloria, Jr., Winona LaDuke, and others, believe “that Indians lived in accordance with ecological limits and limited the number of animals they hunted.”13 Carolyn Merchant quoted LaDuke as saying—

We have a code of ethics and a way of living on this land which is based on being accountable to

[natural] law. That is the understanding of most indigenous peoples.14

The evidence strongly suggests that Native Americans have a historic tradition of environmental stewardship.

The native peoples of the Cahuilla tribe inhabited present-day San Diego County and eastern

Riverside County near Palm Springs. The Cahuilla lived in a harsh desert environment and had

little access to water; due to the scarcity of water, there was limited plant or animal life for food.

The natives realized that if they were to survive in such an environment, they would have to live sustainably and make a minimal impact on the environment. Mesquite beans were a common

ingredient in the Cahuilla diet. They harvested the beans and ground them into a powder. The

Cahuilla realized that if they harvested all of the mesquite beans available at one time, there would be no seeds left to produce more trees. Thus, they understood that their own survival as a people was closely tied to the well-being of their surrounding environment, and saw that it was absolutely essential they preserve the planet.15

Another, broader example of sustainable behavior is the Native American use of fire ecology.

The native peoples of America often practiced fire ecology to prevent massive, uncontrollable

forest fires. Dead plant material, such as leaves, bark, and branches naturally accumulates on the forest floor. If too much organic litter accumulates on the forest floor and it catches on fire during a lightning storm, the entire forest could be burned down. To prevent such dangerous forest fires, indigenous peoples regularly burned the underbrush in a controlled manner. Trees soon became

10 Grimley (2008).

11 Butterfield (n.d.).

12 Merchant (2007): 14-15.

13 Merchant (2007): 21.

14 Merchant (2007): 21.

15 Sustainable UCR (2009).

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es; seeds of many tree species do not germinate unless they have

y

been exposed to high temperatures that can only be provided by a fire.16

Many believe that Indians were the “original conservationists,” because of their reciprocal relationship with their natural environment and belief in the unity between their spiritual and physical worlds.17

Stuart G. Harris of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, described the traditional land ethic as “stewardship and kinship… equality of all species.”18 Talking about the environmental infrastructure, Harris stated—

My elders taught me to see the whole system. They taught me that our traditions and behaviors

are conscious responses to rigorous environmental shaping. They understood the value of

systematic observation and used inductive reasoning to determine the most probable reactions of very complex, interrelated ecosystem functions. They understand that ecological thermodynamics

forms the basis of our resilient and adaptive holistic environmental management science. The

application of this science has been codified into law and has been distilled into daily practice. This knowledge is still transferred between generations. Attention to and application of this knowledge means personal survival and enhancement of our ecology, culture and religion. Disregarding this knowledge can result in eating a poison, starving, degrading resources, or societal collapse.19

Nathan Sherrer and Tim Murphy stated that the typical Native American’s “entire method of living is inherently ecological because, to them, everything in the nature world was interrelated and shared the same life. Their lifestyles as well as their religion only served to emphasize this relationship between man and his environment.”20 Eve Darian-Smith said that scholars of Indian law and the anthropologists, sociologists, and historians who study Native Americans “have documented the role the environment plays in tribal jurisdictional authority, social organization, cultural property, religion, health, and Rain Garden in Yard at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

economic and cultural stability.”21

Image: Department of Natural Resources, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Traditional View of Nature

The following quotations express some Native American views of nature in the past and in the present, orally and in writing.22

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

—Ancient Indian proverb

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the

waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

—Cree prophecy

16 Sustainable UCR (2009).

17 Anderson (n.d.).

18 Harris (n.d): 8.

19 Harris (n.d.): 9.

20 Sherrer and Murphy (2006):16.

21 Darian-Smith (2010):361.

22 United Association of HigaononTribes (n.d.).

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adapted to Native American fires; seeds of many tree species do not germinate unless they have

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e. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the y

been exposed to high temperatures that can only be provided by a fire.16

web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.

—Chief Seattle, 1854

Many believe that Indians were the “original conservationists,” because of their reciprocal relationship with their natural environment and belief in the unity between their spiritual and physical worlds.17

Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share

Stuart G. Harris of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, described the traditional the Earth: four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones. Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people.

land ethic as “stewardship and kinship… equality of all species.”18 Talking about the environmental Walk in balance and beauty.

infrastructure, Harris stated—

—Native American elder

My elders taught me to see the whole system. They taught me that our traditions and behaviors

I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how are conscious responses to rigorous environmental shaping. They understood the value of

well its people have learned to relate

systematic observation and used inductive reasoning to determine the most probable reactions of to their environment and fellow man.

very complex, interrelated ecosystem functions. They understand that ecological thermodynamics

—Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

forms the basis of our resilient and adaptive holistic environmental management science. The

application of this science has been codified into law and has been distilled into daily practice. This You must teach your children that the

knowledge is still transferred between generations. Attention to and application of this knowledge ground beneath their feet is the ashes

means personal survival and enhancement of our ecology, culture and religion. Disregarding this of your grandfathers. So that they will

knowledge can result in eating a poison, starving, degrading resources, or societal collapse.19

respect the land, tell your children

that the earth is rich with the lives

Nathan Sherrer and Tim Murphy stated that the typical Native American’s “entire method of living is of our kin. Teach your children what

inherently ecological because, to them, everything in the nature world was interrelated and shared the we have taught our children, that the

same life. Their lifestyles as well as their religion only served to emphasize this relationship between earth is our mother. Whatever befalls

man and his environment.”20 Eve Darian-Smith said that scholars of Indian law and the anthropologists, the earth befalls the sons of the earth.

sociologists, and historians who study Native Americans “have documented the role the environment If men spit upon the ground, they spit

plays in tribal jurisdictional authority, social organization, cultural property, religion, health, and upon themselves.

Rain Garden in Yard at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

economic and cultural stability.”21

—Unknown

Image: Department of Natural Resources, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Traditional View of Nature

The following quotations express some Native American views of nature in the past and in the present, orally and in writing.22

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

—Ancient Indian proverb

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the

waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

—Cree prophecy

16 Sustainable UCR (2009).

17 Anderson (n.d.).

18 Harris (n.d): 8.

19 Harris (n.d.): 9.

20 Sherrer and Murphy (2006):16.

21 Darian-Smith (2010):361.

22 United Association of HigaononTribes (n.d.).

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Social Marketing Related to Environmental Sustainability and in

Native American Communities

Developing case studies, creating promotional materials, and even selecting demonstration projects speak to the goal of the Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative to go beyond capacity building in the Native American communities with which the initiative has worked to inspiring and influencing other communities who come into contact with SCinIC products, activities, and demonstration project representatives. The message is not only that sustainable technologies have benefit and can be cost effective, but also that they are technologies appropriate to Native American communities and that Native American communities are implementing them to the benefit of the community and approval of tribal leadership and housing residents.

Background

Although social marketing has been implemented for more than 40 years, it has been used primarily in the area of health education. For some time, however, social marketing—in particular, message framing—has been used in the United States to raise understanding of the state of the environment and to encourage behavior that is environmentally sustainable.23 Cheng et al. noted that, “although the persuasive effects of message framing have been widely publicized in the field of social and cognitive psychology, there is a surprising dearth in the literature regarding the role of message framing as a strategy within the context of social marketing to influence environmentally sustainable behaviors.”24

SCinIC research found nearly no literature regarding message framing or social marketing in Native American communities in the area of environmental sustainability.

Social marketing uses marketing principles for the purpose of societal benefit rather than commercial profit.25 It is “the application of marketing to achieve specific behavioral goals for a social good.”26 Social marketing was “born” as a discipline in the 1970s, when Philip Kotler and Gerald Zaltman realized that the same marketing principles that were being used to sell products to consumers could be used to sell ideas, attitudes, and behaviors.27 Social marketing has been used extensively in international health programs and is being used more frequently in the United States.

Social marketing—

…draws on psychology, sociology, economics and anthropology in an attempt to fully understand

people. Once this understanding has been gained, it develops products, services and messages that provide people with an exchange they will value. This concept of exchange is really important if you want to achieve sustainable behavior change.28

Because people do not always behave in their own or society’s best interest, it is important to educate people about important health and environmental issues in the hope of effecting behavior change.

23 Cheng et al. (2011).

24 Cheng et al. (2011): 48.

25 Social Marketing National Excellence Collaborative (2002).

26 James (2010).

27 Weinreich (n.d.).

28 Merritt, Truss, and Hopwood (2011).

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Sustain

Social mark

able Constr

eting typically addresses br

uction In Indian Countr

oad issues in health education, such as the use of condoms to

y

prevent sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, antismoking, breastfeeding, diabetes prevention and management, and so on. In a similar way, social marketing in Indian Country is focused primarily on health and safety—for example, HIV/AIDS prevention; methamphetamine use prevention; suicide

prevention; mental health; and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and transsexual support. Social marketing, however, is increasingly used for environmental sustainability.29

Social Marketing and Energy Conservation

One successful example of the use of social marketing in increasing energy conservation is the case of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in California. The company’s experiment, conducted in 1990, gave homeowners a free home inspection and advice on ways to make their dwelling more energy efficient.30 The program was unsuccessful until auditors incorporated two behavior-change tools during their home visits.

First, auditors began communicating with vivid, personal information. For instance, rather than simply point out cracks around doors, the auditor would compare the cracks to a hole the size of a baseball. ... Second, auditors were instructed to involve the customer during the home visit. For example, home owners might be asked to take measurements or read meters. This strategy was

used to induce homeowners into making a commitment to weatherizing their homes.31

Doug McKenzie-Mohr, an environmental psychologist specializing in the behavioral aspects of

sustainability and a leader in the field of social marketing for sustainability, presented an example of the effectiveness of social marketing on increasing energy conservation. In a 1994 study, he drew on the results of the PG&E study, identified social psychological variables relevant to residential energy conservation, and trained home auditors to use them.32 Techniques included—

• Capturing the householder’s attention; for example, by looking at utility bills and describing how much money is being lost by not retrofitting.

• Gaining the householder’s trust; for example, by wearing an identification badge and

sending material to the house in advance that highlights the assessor’s training.

• Getting the householder to make a minor commitment; for example, agreeing to make

changes by a certain date.

• Framing information in terms of loss rather than gain; for example, instead of focusing on

the savings from retrofitting, telling the householder how much money is being lost by not

weatherizing.

• Helping the householder understand household resource consumption; for example,

explaining that visible devices like lighting consume fewer resources than less visible

resources like water heaters and furnaces.

29 James (2010).

30 Community-Based Social Marketing (n.d.).

31 Community-Based Social Marketing (n.d.).

32 McKenzie-Mohr (1994).

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Sustain

•

able Constr

Explaining the sa

uction In Indian Countr

vings that the householder realizes from retrofitting.

y

These activities illustrate another motivator for change. Involving householders in the effort increased buyin by inspiring them to accept themselves as the type of people who care about energy efficiency and to take steps to save money and weatherize.33

McKenzie-Mohr reported that using social psychological knowledge increases the likelihood that

people will engage in sustainable behaviors. The home auditors who were trained to use the techniques described previously rated themselves as significantly better able to encourage homeowners to adopt energy-conserving technologies.”34

Discussing information in terms of loss rather than gain is a technique supported by message framing.

Message framing is a communication technique within social marketing. This technique assumes that a message can be created in such a way that a specific audience will interpret the message to create a specific response. This response is often hoped to be a change in behavior.

Cheng et al. noted that loss-framed messages tend to be more effective in promoting environmental behavior. In particular, “loss frames were more effective for the low salience issue of energy conservation, whereas gain frames were more effective for the high salience issue of recycling. ”Also, “loss framing was most persuasive when the losses were emphasized on the current generation as opposed to future generations.”35 The authors, however, also found that certain audiences were more susceptible to loss or gain framing than others. This finding suggests that research might be required to determine if Native American audiences might be more likely to change their behavior based on a particular style of message.

For instance, the American Indian cultural emphasis on future generations might suggest that Native audiences would be likely to respond to gain-framed messages that focus on future generations.

In another study, researchers used monthly feedback to reduce and control electricity use.36 Participants received a letter each month stating the percentage change in electricity consumption from the same month both 1 and 2 years ago. The letter also showed how much money participants saved or lost and the difference in kilowatt-hours. The letter arrived a few days after the utility bill every month. Although individuals were not aware that they were participating in this study, households that received the letter reduced their electricity by 4.7 percent. The authors stated that—

The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of this form of feedback. In total, approximately $16 was spent on this project, which is substantially less than other methods of attempting to reduce electricity such as advertisements and monetary payments.37

One Native Community and Energy Efficiency Audits

In 1995, a Canadian province conducted a successful social marketing campaign to promote energy efficiency in an Indian community. British Columbia’s BC21 PowerSmart was a provincewide project 33 Heath and Heath (2010).

34 McKenzie-Mohr (1994).

35 Cheng et al. (2011): 53.

36 Community-Based Social Marketing (n.d.b).

37 Community-Based Social Marketing (n.d.b).

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t

ain

o conserve r

able Constr

esources and create jobs.38

uction In Indian Countr

The project used energy audits and incentives to encourage

y

residents to improve their energy and water efficiency. BC21 PowerSmart later used a similar approach in the Okanagan First Nations Community Project, a project for Canada’s Indian population living in the Okanagan Valley. In addition to creating jobs and conserving resources, the program focused on training First Nation members and improving their housing stock.

The program specifically attempted to be respectful of First Nation culture and to engage First Nation members.

A BC21 PowerSmart Okanagan First Nations Committee, made up of representatives from each

of the six participating bands, was established to provide input about the specific needs of the community. This was essential for the program’s success, as there were some very sensitive

issues which needed to be addressed, including political friction between band chiefs and the

government, and a general mistrust of the government within the community. It was important to

introduce the program as being neutral. To help achieve this, the project manager’s office was set up in his home in the Okanagan Valley, rather than in a government or band council facility to help overcome skepticism about the project by householders. First Nations members were hired as

staff.39

Professional installers provided on-the-job training to staff (that is, the home auditors) in “basic building technology, product installation, customer service, and documentation and reporting. This helped them to provide related services to their own community, and to compete for utility and government contracts.”40

After the audit was complete, the home auditors offered to install one of each energy-saving product needed per home. The products included the following:

• Hot water tank blankets.

• Pipe insulation.

• Weatherstripping.

• Caulking.

• Gasket plugs.

• Faucet aerators.

• Flush reducers.

• Low-flow showerheads.

Both the audit and the products were provided free of charge as an incentive to encourage households to participate in the program. Program participants said they were very satisfied with the products and the service they received. They were happy that the project provided services that benefited their community.

Effect on SCinIC

Research data are not available to prove that social marketing and message framing are especially effective at persuading Native American communities to adopt sustainable construction technologies.

Research in behavior change, however, offers some concepts that point in the direction of the SCinIC

38 Tools of Change (n.d.).

39 Tools of Change (n.d).

40 Tools of Change (n.d.).

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acti

ainable Constr

vities. Chip Heath and Dan Heath, for ex uction In Indian Countr

ample, discussed the ability of “bright spots” to serve as

y

champions and avenues forward to success for others who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by the size of the change they are trying to create within their own community. “These flashes of success—these bright spots—can illuminate the road map for action and spark the hope that change is possible.”41 The SCinIC case studies, which emphasize the varied journeys that seven demonstration partners took in incorporating green technologies and materials into their housing, highlight these “bright spots.” This approach is intended to focus the reader on the ability of Native American communities to create their own sustainable change.

The “appeal to identity” referenced previously indicates that increasing the ability of communities that are already carrying out sustainable construction to tell their own story may be useful in appealing to other communities with an interest but no existing champion. The Native representatives involved in this initiative, and those encountered at training sessions and events, have an interest in sharing their journey.

Other tribes that are at the beginning of a sustainable construction process may be especially receptive to their example and lessons.

41 Heath and Heath (2010): 40.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Relationship of HUD Housing and Native American Communities42

The federal government, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has played a role in supporting housing in Indian Country since the 1960s. At times, this role has been somewhat prescriptive or perceived as such. With the passage of Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), the relationship of tribes, and their tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), to HUD has changed enormously. NAHASDA has emphasized flexibility and a local focus that has enabled tribes and TDHEs, far more than ever before, to prioritize according community need, leverage funds, and incorporate cultural and sustainable features into housing, if so desired. It has opened the door to the type of sustainable activities that this initiative has documented.

United States Housing Act of 1937 and Establishment of the Office of Native

American Programs

With its creation in the 1960s, HUD was assigned the task of providing affordable housing assistance to American Indians. The United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) was the primary vehicle for this early assistance.

The 1937 Act created the national public housing program for low-income households but did not initially address specific housing needs of Native populations living in Native American communities. In 1961, the Public Housing Administration, an agency that became part of HUD, issued legal opinions that American Indians living on reservations and in other Indian areas were eligible to participate in public housing programs.

Administration

As a result of this determination of tribal eligibility, the Public Housing Administration created Indian housing authorities (IHAs) for maintaining, operating, and developing affordable housing in Native American communities. IHAs were designed to operate similarly to public housing agencies (PHAs).

By the 1970s, however, HUD recognized that Native American communities (later still, Native Hawaiian communities) faced unique housing conditions, in part, related to remote geographical locations, economic conditions, historical land issues, historical discrimination, and tribal cultural practices. PHA operational practices and programs also differed from those of IHAs, because they both operated in different relationships to their local communities and because they received some of their funding from different sources.

To provide Native American communities with an advocate within HUD for their community and housing development needs, HUD established the Office of Indian Programs in 1974. In 1984, HUD established the Office of Indian Housing as a part of the Department’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH).

The Office of Indian Housing was renamed the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) in 1992.

This change included creating regional offices for administering Native American programs under the management of a central office. ONAP in 2013 consists of a headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and a network of six field offices in Chicago, Oklahoma City, Phoenix (and Albuquerque), Denver, Seattle, and Anchorage. ONAP’s mission is to—

42 This section on HUD and housing is largely adapted from HUD (n.d.b).

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

• Increase the supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing available to Native American families.

• Strengthen communities by improving living conditions and creating economic opportunities for tribes and Indian housing residents.

• Ensure fiscal integrity in the operation of the programs it administers.43

Programs

Under the 1937 Act, 14 programs provided funding to American Indian tribes and IHAs. They were

administered in a variety of ways: competitive, noncompetitive formula, and first-come, first-served. The primary housing programs administered under the 1937 Act were—

• Low Rent (LR). Beginning in 1961, Native American communities gained access to the LR

program, which closely mirrored the Low Rent Public Housing Administration Program. HUD

funds would go to an IHA that used them to acquire the rights to land and to build new units—or to acquire and rehabilitate existing ones—for rent by income-eligible families. The IHAs then

managed the properties and received additional HUD funds representing the difference between

allowable operating costs and tenant payments toward rent.

• Mutual Help (MH). The MH program provided opportunities for lower income Native families to purchase decent, affordable housing beginning in 1962. As with the LR program, the IHA

developed the housing with HUD funding. The individual homebuyer became responsible for

all operating and maintenance costs after completing the purchase, however. The program was

a lease-purchase arrangement that built equity in an MH equity account, which was applied

toward the purchase price of the home or refunded if the family left the MH program before

achieving ownership. Families did not actually gain title to their properties until all their payment obligations were met, they exercised their option to acquire title, and the tribe completed

conveyance, generally a 25-year process. For as long as the home was administered by the IHA, the IHA was responsible for operation and maintenance costs using 1937 Act funds. The MH program

was available to qualified low-income Indian families on Indian lands. The Indian Housing Act

of 1988 also established a self-help component that allowed lower income Indian families to

contribute a major portion of the labor necessary to build their homes.44

• Modernization Program. Another very significant HUD program for the IHAs was the

modernization program, funded through the Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program

(CIAP) and the Comprehensive Grant Program (CGP).

The National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 expanded the allowable uses for CIAP beyond

modernization for rental housing to include modernization grants for MH units and management

improvement grants for other homeownership developments. CIAP was distributed through a

competitive allocation process. CGP, which became effective in 1992, provided large PHAs and IHAs (250

units or more) with a more flexible program distributed by a formula allocation.

43 HUD (n.d.a).

44 HUD (n.d.c.).

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Sustainable Constr

Effect of the 1937 Act Program in Indian C uction In Indian Countr

ountry

y

These housing programs had a significant effect on the provision of housing in tribal areas in the decades after 1961.45 By the end of fiscal year (FY) 1997, more than 100,000 units were either complete or in various stages of the production pipeline—many of them replaced significantly substandard housing. In FY 1998, 41.3 percent of the units were LR and 57.6 percent of the units were MH. The MH program was very popular because of the strong preference for homeownership in Indian Country.

The following table illustrates the housing inventory for the LR, MH, and Turnkey III (TK3) programs, as represented by the number of units in management by the six area offices at the beginning of FY 1998, the first year of NAHASDA.

Units Under Management by Six Area Offices

Area Office

Low Rent

Mutual Help

Turnkey III

Total

Alaska

903

5,038

0

5,941

Eastern/Woodlands

5,376

3,574

382

9,332

Northern Plains

9,635

6,572

322

16,529

Southern Plains

3,124

10,255

0

13,379

Southwest

8,425

12,674

53

21,152

Northwest

1,926

2,879

6

4,811

Total

29,389

40,992

763

71,144

Source: Indian Housing Block Grant Database, FY98FIN.spss file

Although these programs created a substantial amount of affordable, decent housing on Indian

reservations, serious problems and concerns persisted. Some tribal governments objected to the

structure of HUD programs, saying that the somewhat independent role of the IHA undermined tribal sovereignty, in part because the IHAs were compelled to comply with HUD regulations and practices, in some cases in contradiction to tribal practice. Some IHAs, on the other hand, complained about excessively involved tribal councils.46

Significantly substandard and overcrowded housing conditions persisted—in part exacerbated by federal rules and regulations that limited IHAs and tribes in exploring more efficient and creative solutions to resource allocation.47 Furthermore, HUD practices and regulations developed for urban settings did not always translate into often rural, Native American communities. Creating subdivisions, clustering housing units, and using non-Native architectural styles and materials contributed to housing abuse and deterioration, the growth of gang culture, and the loss of culture and clan relationships. These programs did not address the difficult land ownership issues that discouraged private investment in housing, land, and mortgage opportunities. 48

45 HUD (n.d.c.).

46 Biles (2000) and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development (2008).

47 HUD (1996).

48 HUD (1996).

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Sust

NAHA ain

SDA

able Construction In Indian Country

The passage NAHASDA on October 26, 1996,49 signaled a new era in HUD’s relationship with American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, with significant practical and policy implications. From a policy standpoint, NAHASDA recognized the right of tribal self-governance and the unique relationship between the federal government and the governments of Indian tribes, established by longstanding treaties, court decisions, statutes, Executive orders, and the United States Constitution.50

NAHASDA eliminated several separate programs (including the LR, MH, TK3, and modernization

programs) and replaced them with single block grant program: the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG).

NAHASDA created more flexible reporting rules, recognizing the different needs and conditions in different Native American communities and providing federal assistance for Indian tribes in a manner that recognized the rights of tribal self-governance.

NAHASDA has been the primary housing program for tribes since FY 1998. Section 202 of NAHASDA lists the following eligible affordable housing activities.

• Indian housing assistance. Modernization or operating assistance for housing previously developed or operated by HUD’s former Indian housing programs.

• Housing development. Acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, and moderate or

substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing.

• Housing services. Housing-related services for affordable housing, such as housing counseling for rental or homeownership assistance, the establishment or support of resident management

organizations, energy auditing, activities related to self-sufficiency, and other services.

• Housing management services. Management services for affordable housing.

• Crime prevention and safety activities. Safety, security, and law enforcement measures and activities appropriate to protect residents of affordable housing from crime.

• Model activities. Specifically HUD-approved housing activities that are designed to develop and support affordable housing.

The style or design of the housing is not defined except as moderate design, defined in 24 CFR§1000.156

as “housing that is of a size and with amenities consistent with unassisted housing offered for sale in the Indian tribe’s general geographic area to buyers who are at or below the area median income.”

This definition relates to all affordable housing development activities, including acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, moderate or substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing, and homebuyer assistance and model activities.

In a project, units with the same number of bedrooms must be comparable with respect to size, cost, and amenities.51

49 Public Law No.104-330, 110 Stat. 4016 (codified as amended at 25 U.S.C. §§ 4101-4195 (Supp. IV 1998)).

50 HUD, Office of Public and Indian Housing (2007).

51 66 FR 49790, Sept. 28, 2001.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Countr

HUD Sustainable Housing Support in Indian Country

y

HUD has several mechanisms in place to support sustainable building technologies in Indian Country housing.

Budgeting for developing affordable

housing under NAHASDA is strongly

shaped by total development costs

(TDCs). TDC values are developed

annually by ONAP based on average

construction cost data from two

sources, RSMeans Reed Construction

Data and Marshall & Swift/Boeckh,

leading suppliers of construction

cost information. These construction

Architectural Rendering of Planned Nez Perce Multifamily

cost data are adjusted by adding

Construction

an additional 75 percent for site

development.

Image: 7 Directions Architects/Planners for HUD SCinIC

Tribes may develop their own standards of moderate housing design and may exceed TDC by up to 10

percent before needing to seek approval.52

In addition, using the TDC variance request, tribes can include sustainable housing technologies in their eligible housing activities. Tribes and TDHEs have long been able to request variances to allow them to meet costs beyond allowable TDCs on a cost-per-unit construction basis. Beginning in 2006, however, green technology was mentioned specifically as a potential reason for waiver, provided the requester had also worked with the Area ONAP to lower the costs of the project.

Significant additional costs for incorporating green building, energy efficiency or other innovative practices, such as Indian Energy Resource regulation compliance.53

TDC variance for Alaska follows a somewhat different pattern. The PIH notice on TDCs for tribes automatically allows for a slight increase in published TDCs in Alaska to allow TDHEs, villages, and corporations to meet Alaskan energy efficiency standards.

Additionally, this Notice constitutes HUD approval for a 2% increase above the attached TDCs

for construction projects in Alaska to meet Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES)

requirements. BEES are only required when funds provided by the State of Alaska are used in

conjunction with HUD funds.54

For certain sustainable technologies, tribes and TDHEs may also choose another approval option. Tribes and TDHEs may seek approval under NAHASDA for model demonstration activities. The cost cap in this case is the lesser of up to 20 percent of the grant or $2 million.

HUD wrote incentives for sustainable construction into its American Recovery and Redevelopment Act 52 Most recently authorized in PIH Notice 2011-63, described most recently in PIH Notice 2010-47.

53 PIH Notice 2006-17: 3.

54 PIH Notice 2010-47: 4.

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Sustainable Constr

of 2009 (ARRA) notices of funding av

uction In Indian Countr

ailability awarded in 2009. Under the IHBG competitive ARRA

y

program, applicants could receive up to seven additional points for using ENERGY STAR products; having the units rated by a home energy rater as ENERGY STAR-qualified home; providing homebuyers with a housing counseling curriculum, including an energy conservation, budgeting, and ENERGY STAR

component; and having the program certified under programs including—

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

• ENERGY STAR Plus Indoor Air Package.

• ENERGY STAR Advanced New Home Construction.

• Earthcraft.

• Enterprise Green Communities initiatives.

• National Association of Home Builders Green Building guidelines.

The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program, an annual funding program, allows for energy efficiency and green development for either housing rehabilitation or public facilities. Public services “directed toward improving the community’s public services and facilities, including…energy conservation”55 are also eligible under ICDBG.

HUD has written support for energy efficiency and energy conservation into the ICDBG application process. An ICDBG application may receive a point for compliance with HUD policy priorities for sustainability provided it successfully addresses the following.

(1) Support and promote an energy-efficient, green, and healthy housing market by retrofitting

existing housing or community facilities, supporting energy-efficient new construction, and

improving home energy labeling. An applicant must demonstrate that the rehabilitation or

construction of housing or community facilities at a minimum meets the standard for Energy Star for New Homes, or recognized green building rating standards utilizing one of several recognized green rating programs for new construction or substantial rehabilitation. An applicant should

also identify the buildings or units that will include healthy design features that meet or exceed the mandatory requirements identified in a green building standard. The application must

indicate which standard will be used by the applicant. Grantees will be expected to report on

outcome measures including the number of housing units or community facilities rehabilitated or constructed to meet energy efficiency and green development standards, or the number of housing units or community facilities rehabilitated or constructed to meet healthy design standards.56

Applicants also gain points for developing feasible and measurable outcomes. HUD has written the potential for sustainability into this rating subfactor as well. Allowable outcomes that an applicant may cite as measurables for the project include the reduction of drug-related crime or health-related hazards and improved energy efficiency.

More language supporting HUD’s environmental sustainability priority is found in its housing standards policy. If an ICDBG applicant requests approval for housing standards less stringent than the Section 8 Housing Quality Standards, the new standards the applicant develops must provide for “a livable home environment and an energy efficient building and systems that incorporate energy conservation measures.”57

55 http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/2013icdbgnofa.pdf (accessed February 19, 2013).

56 http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/2013icdbgnofa.pdf (accessed February 19, 2013).

57 http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/2013icdbgnofa.pdf (accessed February 19, 2013).

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Not all Hainable Constr

UD sustainability grants ar

uction In Indian Countr

e construction based. Just as the Sustainable Construction in Indian y

Country initiative worked with demonstration projects on issues related to planning and standards, HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities has provided tribes, among others, with regional planning grants and partnered with federal agencies on community challenge planning grants. Tribes were among the awarded grantees in each of these grant programs between 2010 and 2013.

Between 2005 and 2008, HUD ONAP provided onsite assessments of mold and moisture conditions in

a limited number of tribal housing units. In 2008, HUD expanded the program area to include energy assessments. The program included quarterly material dissemination, regional training sessions, written site visit reports with energy efficiency recommendations, and three Greener Homes National Summits, which brought tribes together for topics including energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Between 2005 and March 2013, this contract assessed 616 housing units, providing tailored assessment and recommendations on rehabilitation and energy efficiency upgrades to 74 different American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages.

Within the limits of the current fiscal belt tightening, HUD is taking steps to demonstrate its commitment to policies and programs that support increasing sustainability and that nurture innovation in housing in Indian Country while also maintaining affordability and decreasing overcrowding. These steps are not enough to meet the need, however.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 17

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Task Overview and Implementation

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative included four tasks.

• The review of current activities. Identifying American Indian and Alaska Native American communities that have or are working on sustainable construction projects, funding resources,

and technical assistance resources.

• National impediments meeting. Conducting a national meeting to identify impediments to sustainable construction practices and opportunities for TA and training for Native American

communities.

Cocopah Indian Housing and Development Multifamily

Building Scheduled for Rehabilitation

• Demonstration projects. Seeking demonstration project partners that can be featured in best practice case studies. These case studies will enable other tribes to benefit from these best

Image: Cocopah Indian Housing and Development

practices.

• Training. Making available to Native American communities training based on experience and needs.

The Review of Current Activities

The statement of work assigned the contractor to “conduct a review of current activities promoting sustainable construction in Indian country.”58 This review set the stage for other activities under the contract by beginning the process of defining the TA and financial resources available for tribes seeking to implement sustainable technologies in their residential housing and by providing some insight into the amount of knowledge of and enthusiasm for sustainable technology on the part of federal, tribal, nonprofit and other organizations working with tribes. Interviewees also naturally described current and future sustainable residential construction or rehabilitation projects, which are also briefly described in the report. The report process, key informants, findings, and statistics on tribal projects are in the section,

“Findings and Recommendations From the Review of Current Activities.” The full report was completed on July 18, 2011, and is reproduced in appendix A.

National Impediments Meeting

The Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted a meeting to explore impediments to

sustainable construction practices and solutions to these impediments. The meeting consisted of two parts: (1) a set of focus groups and (2) a followup analysis session. The meeting was conducted at HUD’s third Greener Homes National Summit in Denver on September 28 and 29, 2011. Participants from

governmental, nongovernmental, and tribal focus groups offered observations regarding impediments to sustainable construction in Native American communities.

Representatives of the focus groups met the next day to analyze the primary obstacles identified by each group, prioritize these obstacles in terms of their effect on sustainable housing, and brainstorm potential solutions. Because several participants were from federal agencies, the group focused on steps that federal partners might be able to implement. HUD completed the draft report on this meeting on January 29, 2011, and posted it on the HUD USER website. The full report is also reproduced in appendix B.

58 R-DEN-02502, Task Order No DEN-T0006 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: 5.

18 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustain

Task Overview and Implementation

Demonstr

able Constr

ation Projects

uction In Indian Country

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative included four tasks.

Selection Process

• The review of current activities. Identifying American Indian and Alaska Native American The selection process required the

communities that have or are working on sustainable construction projects, funding resources,

development of a request-for-projects

and technical assistance resources.

letter, an interview protocol, and a

set of selection considerations. HUD

• National impediments meeting. Conducting a national meeting to identify impediments to sent out a request for demonstration

sustainable construction practices and opportunities for TA and training for Native American

projects in November 2011. The mailing

communities.

list included 788 tribes and tribally

Cocopah Indian Housing and Development Multifamily

designated housing entities. HUD

Building Scheduled for Rehabilitation

• Demonstration projects. Seeking demonstration project partners that can be featured in best received 25 requests to be part of the

practice case studies. These case studies will enable other tribes to benefit from these best

program, and SCinIC team members

Image: Cocopah Indian Housing and Development

practices.

conducted 17 interviews.

• Training. Making available to Native American communities training based on experience and More partnering sites would have benefited from TA than could be funded. The demonstration project needs.

selection process included diversity in climate regions, in Office of Native American Programs regions, in housing types, in sustainable technologies, and in completed versus planned projects. In addition, The Review of Current Activities

selection considerations included a determination that construction funding was secured, that tribal leadership was onboard with the project, and that the prospective demonstration was willing to

receive TA and participate as a possible case study. Tribes received TA only and no funding was used for The statement of work assigned the contractor to “conduct a review of current activities promoting construction.

sustainable construction in Indian country.”58 This review set the stage for other activities under the contract by beginning the process of defining the TA and financial resources available for tribes seeking At least one demonstration project was selected in each HUD ONAP region. The following table lists each to implement sustainable technologies in their residential housing and by providing some insight into project’s technologies and project types.

the amount of knowledge of and enthusiasm for sustainable technology on the part of federal, tribal, nonprofit and other organizations working with tribes. Interviewees also naturally described current and future sustainable residential construction or rehabilitation projects, which are also briefly described in the report. The report process, key informants, findings, and statistics on tribal projects are in the section,

“Findings and Recommendations From the Review of Current Activities.” The full report was completed on July 18, 2011, and is reproduced in appendix A.

National Impediments Meeting

The Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted a meeting to explore impediments to

sustainable construction practices and solutions to these impediments. The meeting consisted of two parts: (1) a set of focus groups and (2) a followup analysis session. The meeting was conducted at HUD’s third Greener Homes National Summit in Denver on September 28 and 29, 2011. Participants from

governmental, nongovernmental, and tribal focus groups offered observations regarding impediments to sustainable construction in Native American communities.

Representatives of the focus groups met the next day to analyze the primary obstacles identified by each group, prioritize these obstacles in terms of their effect on sustainable housing, and brainstorm potential solutions. Because several participants were from federal agencies, the group focused on steps that federal partners might be able to implement. HUD completed the draft report on this meeting on January 29, 2011, and posted it on the HUD USER website. The full report is also reproduced in appendix B.

58 R-DEN-02502, Task Order No DEN-T0006 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: 5.

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustain

Demonstr

able Constr

ation Projects

uction In Indian Country

Demonstrations

Sustainable Technologies

Project Type

Pokagon Band

Community master plan; Best Management

Completed 2004-2006.

of Potawatomi

Practices (BMP) in site plan including

Sustainable water management

Indians

bioswales, cluster housing design, permeable and conservation in

pavement, use of prairie grass, and

single-family housing

indigenous vegetation.

subdevelopments.

Nez Perce

Hybrid straw bale construction with ductless

Planned 2012-2013. New

Housing

minisplits; culturally adapted design; low-

construction of 20 single-story

Authority

emissivity (low-E) windows; BMP in site

duplex units.

plan.

Cocopah Indian

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs); ENERGY

Planned 2013. Rehabilitating

Housing and

STAR appliances; indoor and outdoor

three eight-unit multifamily

Development

lighting.

buildings.

Navajo Housing

Green standards; green review process;

Planned 2013. New

Authority

green request for proposals .

construction and policies

to support sustainable

development.

Pawnee Housing

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs).

Planned 2013. New

Authority

construction of duplex units.

Akwesasne

Geothermal heating and cooling; ICFs; solar

Completed 2011. Five quadplex

Housing

voltaic panels; solar domestic hot water.

buildings for seniors within

Authority

a community containing

sustainable features.

Choctaw Housing

Structural insulated panels (SIPs); low-E

Completed 2009-2012. Eight

Authority

windows and doors; CFLs; ENERGY STAR

duplexes and 74 single-family

appliances.

houses.

Native Village of

Monolithic spray foam envelope;

Planned 2012-1013. Five

Kwinhagak

aerodynamic shape; whole-house truss.

single-family houses.

Muscogee (Creek) SIPs; geothermal heating and cooling; SIPs

Completed 2012. Housing

Nation

manufacturing plant.

development for seniors

with 24 units and individual

replacement houses.

Technical Assistance

HUD stipulated that TA be supplemental in nature. The TA providers were not to take a leading role in the demonstration project.

20 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustain

The types of T able Constr

A “necessary for the incorpor uction In Indian Countr

ation of sustainable construction techniques and t

y

echnologies

into Tribal projects” per the Statement of Work59 are broad in nature. Types of TA that the team recommended offering included—

• Assistance with developing procurement and bid announcements.

• Charrette implementation.

• Architectural design drafts.

• Existing design review and recommendations.

• Engineering schematic development.

• Appropriate sustainable product, material, and technique recommendations.

• Assistance with product, material, and technique installation.

• Education on the maintenance of products and materials.

• Assistance with the Green Communities and LEED for Homes designation processes.

• Assistance in developing or adopting a Green Development Standard.

• Energy modeling for the analysis of optimal systems, materials, orientation, openings, and energy use.

• Life-cycle analysis to assist in determining the costs and benefits of specific systems.

• Conceptual site plans.

• Postconstruction testing (blower door).

The tribes or TDHEs with projects already completed as of 2012 included the Pokagon Band of

Potawatomi Indians, the Akwesasne Housing Authority, the Choctaw Housing Authority, and the

Muscogee (Creek) Nation. These demonstration projects primarily requested postconstruction-related TA. In some cases, these demonstration projects requested assistance to benefit planned projects connected with the completed projects.

The demonstration projects with forthcoming construction or rehabilitation primarily requested

assistance in making their housing designs more energy efficient. This benchmark included a wide range of recommendations, from changes to site plans, to passive solar orientation, to the incorporation of sustainable materials and technologies. In one case, the TA included helping the housing entity link up with its utility provider to access programs for which the housing entity and tenants were eligible.

59 R-DEN-02502, Task Order No DEN-T0006 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: 11.

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sust

T

ainable Constr

echnical Assistance Provided

uction In Indian Country

Demonstrations

Technical Assistance Provided

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Appropriate sustainable product, material, and technique

Indians (Michigan, Indiana)

recommendations (geothermal costs and incentives); energy

modeling; charrette assistance; design recommendations.

Nez Perce Housing Authority

Charrette implementation; energy modeling; appropriate sustainable

(Idaho)

product, material, and technique recommendations (straw bale);

low-income housing tax credit application support; research into

certification opportunities.

Cocopah Indian Housing and

Liaison in linking to utility program; developing energy modeling;

Development (Arizona)

appropriate sustainable product, material, and technique

recommendations.

Navajo Housing Authority

Assistance with developing procurement and bid announcements;

(Arizona, Utah, New Mexico)

design review and recommendations; creating green standards;

recommendations for adding sustainability to request for proposals;

recommendations for creating a green design review process.

Pawnee Housing Authority

Appropriate sustainable product, material, and technique

(Oklahoma)

recommendations (insulating concrete forms).

Akwesasne Housing

Energy modeling; appropriate sustainable product, material, and

Authority (New York)

technique recommendations (for rehabilitating older units).

Choctaw Housing Authority

Design review and recommendations; site plan recommendations.

(Mississippi)

Native Village of Kwinhagak

Design revisions and revised construction manual; assistance with

(Alaska)

product, material, and technique installation.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Postconstruction testing.

(Oklahoma)

The energy modeling and postconstruction testing yielded TA resource reports that provided

communities with useful information. Assessments of energy usage provided communities with

completed projects with a baseline against which to measure and compare their future use. Those communities could also use the recommendations section with potential or estimated payback and other cost-effectiveness information to measure against the real-world costs or longevity of their own installed technologies. Likewise, communities planning future projects could use the recommendations sections to plan their budgets and determine how to invest the upfront dollars for a cost-effective return.

All demonstration projects with planned projects received TA, but not all reached their anticipated goals, for a variety of reasons. These reasons were reflective of the findings in the review of current activities 22 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Constr

and the national meeting and included—

uction In Indian Country

• Need for additional TA.

• Need to scale back because of lack of anticipated funding, or need to pursue additional funding for added sustainable elements or additional specialists because tribe members or local area

residents lacked training in specific techniques.

• Longer learning curve with new techniques or equipment.

• Weather or archeological delays.

• Internal politics.

Case Studies

According to the statement of work, case studies were intended to “provide both technical and

general information that will be of value and interest to ONAP and Tribes. The text shall be concise but informative with an emphasis on technologies and builders’ experience in both installation and operation after installation. It shall be presented in such a manner that stakeholders can learn from it and take action.”60 Although HUD is emphasizing best practices, “the case study shall include ‘challenges to’ implementation and strategies for addressing those challenges.”61 SCinIC team members conducted interviews and collected data and images from the Native Village of Kwinhagak, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority, Cocopah Indian Housing and Development, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Akwesasne Housing Authority. These case studies are in appendix C.

Outreach

Early in the contract, the initiative established a web presence on the HUD USER website, at http://www.

huduser.org/portal/SCinIC/home.html. From this site, users could sign up for periodic e-mail updates, read updates on the progress of the demonstration partners, download TA documents developed under the contract, and learn about training opportunities or other events.

On May 2, 2013, HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) and ONAP cosponsored a reception with Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. The event celebrated sustainable construction projects that were demonstration projects and case studies under both the SCinIC contract and the PD&R

Small Grants Program. At the event, 21 communities with 25 projects were represented with case studies, posters, videos, speakers, and other materials. Invitees to the event included federal partners, green and affordable building industry representatives, tribes and TDHEs, and members of Congress.

Training

Training topics were determined based on the outcomes of the national meeting, TA interactions with the demonstration projects, and discussions with trainers on what the next logical steps would be if the HUD Greener Homes regional trainings offered additional indepth information. As a result, HUD offered 60 R-DEN-02502, Task Order No DEN-T0006 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: 12.

61 R-DEN-02502, Task Order No DEN-T0006 Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: 12.

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sust

tr

ainable Construction In Indian Countr

aining sessions titled “Sustainable Construction in Indian Country: Assessing Conventional-Built and y Sustainable Buildings.” The training session materials are reproduced in appendix D.

Training task activities included site selection, developing an agenda and curriculum, identifying trainers, creating training material and a notebook, marketing, registration, and delivering training.

The curriculum included benchmarking, modeling, state and local utility funding opportunities and policies, and energy-reduction cost measures with a real-life focus on the TA provided to the cold-climate Akwesasne Housing Authority and the warm-climate Cocopah Indian Housing and Development.

Two training sessions took advantage of economies of scale by adding a day of sustainable construction training after a Greener Homes regional training session. The trainer at all sessions was Kate Brown of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her co-trainer at Hogansburg, New York, was Kevin Fitzgibbons, consultant and former HUD official. Data on those trainings, speakers, and participants are in the following tables.

December 13, 2012

Overall Rating:

100%

Skirvin Hilton—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (SPONAP)

Number of Participants:

12

Attendees

• Comanche Nation Housing Authority.

• Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

• Housing Authority of the Pawnee Tribe.

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation Environmental Services.

• Osage Nation Housing Department.

• Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak.

• HUD Southern Plains ONAP.

Speakers

• Tom Lance, Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak, Alaska; James Williams, Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

24 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

February 14, 2013

Overall Rating:

100%

Marriott—Albuquerque, New Mexico (SWONAP)

Number of Participants:

22

Attendees

• Consolidated Solar Technologies.

• Dry Creek Rancheria

• Energy Tech.

• Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency.

• Hopi Tribal Housing Authority.

• HUD—EWONAP.

• Native American Housing Consultants, LLC.

• Navajo Housing Authority.

• Navajo Nation Community Housing and Infrastructure Department.

• Ohkay Owingeh Housing Authority.

• Pueblo Acoma.

• Pueblo of Santa Ana Planning and Building Services.

• Sandia National Laboratories.

• Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority.

• Santo Domingo Tribe.

• U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Speakers

• Chelsea Chee, Sandia National Laboratory; Ken Hughes, New Mexico Energy Conservation

Management Division; Neil Whitegull, Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development.

100%100%

Part of the AHA’s new sustainable housing project included a training center. The AHA offered to provide complementary training space for sustainable construction training. To take advantage of the hands-on opportunities at this location, the training expanded to include a tour of the new sustainable housing and an optional tour of the Frank S. McCullough, Jr., Hawkins Point Visitors Center and Boat Launch, a source of renewable hydropower energy. Data on this training is in the following table.

May 7–9, 2013

2312

Overall Rating:

100%

Sunrise Acres Training Center—St. Regis, New York

Number of Participants:

23

Attendees

• Akwesasne Housing Authority.

• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

• Kickapoo Housing Authority.

• Mohawk Housing Corporation.

• Seneca Nation of Indians.

• St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

Speakers

• Retha Herne, Executive Director, Akwesasne Housing Authority; John MacArthur, Beardsley Design Associates; two residents of the housing complex; staff from the Diabetes Center for Excellence.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 25

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Findings and Recommendations From The Review of Current

Activities

Several clearly defined awards, organizations, and certification programs can help an observer locate sustainable residential construction and sustainable affordable residential construction activities—if not really define the universe thereof. They include the U.S. Green Building Council, Enterprise Green Communities, AIA/HUD Secretary’s Awards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Policy Development and Research Best Practices online, and the U.S.

Department of Energy. Tribes and tribal organizations are eligible to participate, but not well represented, in these programs. Thus, it can be difficult to gauge the actual state of sustainable construction in India n Country.

The review of current activities of the Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative aimed to identify sustainable construction projects, resources, and technical assistance within Indian Country.

Team members interviewed 26 organizational representatives, conducted literature reviews, and

followed up with reviews of websites as appropriate. The report reached out to federal agencies, regional tribal housing associations, green building industry organizations, educational organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

The report, completed in July 2011, reported on 37 green tribal residential projects in 18 states that were in the planning stages, in progress, or recently completed, as the following map shows. This list is not all encompassing but does provide a good indication of the scope and popularity of sustainable construction activities taking place in Alaska and the lower 48 states. The enthusiasm for sustainable building in Indian Country was also reinforced when the application process for demonstration projects began; 24 tribes in 15 states sought demonstration project status, nearly all self-selecting. (Of the tribes interviewed, five were listed in the review of current activities, although they did not necessarily seek assistance with the project described in the report.)

Findings

1. More green building services are targeted toward America Indian and Alaska Native

American communities to meet needs related to existing housing projects than to meet

needs related to new residential construction projects.

More organizations provide training and TA for increasing the sustainability of existing

homes. For example, EPA conducts substantial training on assessment and remediation of

indoor air quality and mold on existing homes. Since 2005, a HUD program focused on energy

efficiency and rehabilitation has conducted approximately 12 energy assessments annually and

conducted regional workshops. The federal Bonneville Power Administration has a low-income

weatherization program for tribes in the Pacific Northwest.

Fewer organizations provided training and TA on new construction in Indian Country. Key

informants often mentioned the same entities in a given region; for example, Cascadia Green

Building Council in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Cold Climate Housing Research Center in

Alaska, and the Enterprise Green Communities program for American Indians in the Southwest.

26 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Sustainable Housing and Projects

Anaktuvuk Pass

In Indian Country

Native Village

of Kwinhagak

July 2011

Aleut Corporation

Port Gamble

S'Klallam Tribe

Lummi Nation

Makah Tribe

Colville Indian Tribe

Lower Elwha

Red Lake Band

Klallam Tribe

of Chippewa

Puyallup

Penobscot

Indians

Fond du Lac

Tribe

Nation

Band of Minnesota

Coeur D'Alene tribe

Chippewa Tribe

Cowlitz Tribe

Sault Tribe of

Chippewa Indians

Confederated

Tribes of Siletz

Indians

Little Traverse

White Earth Band

Bay Bands of

Coos Bay

of the Minnesota

Odawa Indians

Confederated Tribes

Chippewa Tribe

Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi

Yurok

Rosebud Sioux

Menominee

Tribe

Oglala Sioux tribe (2)

Indian Tribe of

Wisconsin

Pokagon

Band of

Northwestern Band of

Potawatomi

Shoshone Nation

Pinoleville

Indians

Pomo

Yerington

Nation

Paiute Tribe

Bishop

Paiute

Tribe

Jicarilla Apache

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo

Navajo

Lumbee Tribe

Zuni Pueblo

Nation (2)

of North Carolina

Isleta Pueblo

Wichita

Tribe

Mescalero

Apache

Completed Sites

Tunica-Biloxi

Tribe of Louisiana

Planned Sites

SITES Under Construction

2. Educational entities such as tribal colleges offer avenues for tribes to increase the number of members with professional green building skills.

The report found four tribal colleges and one branch of a state university in a tribal community that offered degree or certificate programs in areas related to green-collar construction jobs.

The tribal colleges, however, geographically clustered primarily in the Great Lakes, the Dakotas, Montana, and the Southwest.

3. The ability of tribes to implement sustainable construction technologies may be limited by (1) their lack of internal residential construction capacity, coupled with (2) their inability in small and rural communities to hire general managers or construction firms with

experience to implement the technologies.

Red Feather Development Group and the Zuni Housing Authority both have implemented

successful models for increasing the capacity of housing authorities to carry out their own

construction projects, but this model is not common in Indian Country. Most tribes work with the construction firms available in their area, and, when they use tribe members, it is usually in

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 27

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustrain

elativel able Construction In Indian Countr

y unskilled capacities. In at least one region, tribes have had difficulty accessing

y

construction firms with experience in sustainable construction technologies, which is especially true when they are required to use the lowest bidder.

4. Tribal funding sources are very limited.

Although regional funding sources such as the Alaska Finance Corporation and the Greater

Minnesota Housing Fund exist, most of the funding for residential construction in Indian County comes from government sources such as Indian Housing Block Grant and the Indian Community

Development Block Grant. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds used between

2010 and 2012 were a tremendous creator of sustainable residential housing in Native American

communities. Housing authorities and tribally designated housing entities typically combine

funding from several of or all these sources in conjunction with state or private financing (for example, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority).

5. Tribes interviewed expressed a desire for TA.

Tribes were interested in hearing about the initiative and about resources for additional support and TA.

SIP House Subdivisions on the Mississippi Band of

Choctaw Indians Reservation

Recommendations

Image: Pritchard Engineering

The report did not include recommendations because it was an exploration of activities and

opportunities. The following are two recommendations drawn from the findings to support the continued development of sustainable construction in Indian Country.

1. Increase national support for TA.

Elevate support for TA to a national level in areas including design, construction management,

procurement, materials, and certification to provide support for geographic areas with fewer

resources.

2. Increase support for educational resources.

Partner with and support colleges and universities serving significant numbers of Native students, including tribal colleges and universities.

28 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

relatively unskilled capacities. In at least one region, tribes have had difficulty accessing

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Ranking and Recommendations From National Impediments Meeting

construction firms with experience in sustainable construction technologies, which is especially true when they are required to use the lowest bidder.

This section summarizes the results and recommendations generated by focus groups and the

coordination meeting that made up the national impediments meeting.

4. Tribal funding sources are very limited.

To help ensure that trainers and technical

Although regional funding sources such as the Alaska Finance Corporation and the Greater

assistance providers were aware of what

Minnesota Housing Fund exist, most of the funding for residential construction in Indian County factors tribes and organizations working

comes from government sources such as Indian Housing Block Grant and the Indian Community

with tribes perceive as impediments

Development Block Grant. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds used between

to sustainable construction practices,

2010 and 2012 were a tremendous creator of sustainable residential housing in Native American

an opening task of this initiative was

communities. Housing authorities and tribally designated housing entities typically combine

to conduct a meeting to explore the

funding from several of or all these sources in conjunction with state or private financing (for impediments and the solutions to these

example, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority).

impediments. Invited participants from

governmental, nongovernmental, and

5. Tribes interviewed expressed a desire for TA.

tribal focus groups offered observations

regarding impediments to sustainable

Tribes were interested in hearing about the initiative and about resources for additional support construction in Indian and Alaska Native

and TA.

American communities. Participants in a

SIP House Subdivisions on the Mississippi Band of

followup coordination meeting ranked the

Choctaw Indians Reservation

Recommendations

impediments associated with sustainable

construction and brainstormed about

Image: Pritchard Engineering

The report did not include recommendations because it was an exploration of activities and

potential solutions. The full report of the

opportunities. The following are two recommendations drawn from the findings to support the continued meeting is in appendix B.

development of sustainable construction in Indian Country.

Ranking

1. Increase national support for TA.

This list cannot be considered exhaustive because it was developed from small focus groups, but it is Elevate support for TA to a national level in areas including design, construction management,

indicative of concerns that the TA team members encountered in the field and that training participants procurement, materials, and certification to provide support for geographic areas with fewer

echoed. Working from the wide variety of impediments identified by the focus groups, members of the resources.

coordination meeting ranked these four impediments to sustainable construction as most important.

2. Increase support for educational resources.

1. Building codes.

Partner with and support colleges and universities serving significant numbers of Native students, 2. Costs and funding.

including tribal colleges and universities.

3. Capacity building.

4. Planning.

The following graphic provides a brief summary of these impediments.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 29

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Highest Ranking Impediments to Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Communities develop building codes to protect health and safety, but also to

show commitment to particular issues. Minnesota and Washington States,

for instance, require compliance with green building codes or standards.

Building Codes:

Tribes have the ability to adopt existing green building codes or standards,

or to create their own. The balancing act with a building code is to avoid

being overly strict or posing undue cost burden and, thus, inhibiting desired

growth.

Sustainable construction is perceived as more expensive, but this is not

always true. Some sustainable construction technologies require more

expensive upfront costs; however, the energy savings and more durable

housing can offset the higher costs or lead to savings later. Some sustainable

Costs and

construction technologies are more expensive and lack a payoff time that

Funding:

is practical for communities with a strong need for affordability. Some

sustainable construction technologies do not add additional construction

costs. Education can change the perspective and life cycle assessments and

benefit analyses can provide tools to determine the technologies that provide

the greatest bang for the affordable buck.

Tribal housing authorities may have difficulty building capacity or even

maintaining levels of capacity due to understaffing and staff turnover. New

elections in tribal council or decreased Federal budget funds can lead to

Capacity Building: enormous changes in staffing. Some smaller tribes may not have the staffing on a regular basis to carry out the housing development their community

needs to keep pace with housing need. Repeated training, onsite training, and

partnerships with other organizations are ways to build lasting capacity.

Sometimes tribes find themselves planning projects simply because Federal

funds are suddenly available. This can lead to a mismatch in community need

and available resources—land, staff time, housing, funds, etc. Long-term

Planning:

planning, on the other hand, can help rebalance that mismatch, and support

a tribe’s overall goals, such as creating a cohesive “place” with increased

opportunity for all residents, increasing healthier housing, supporting

economic development, and moving toward energy self-sufficiency.

Recommendations

Because the participants in the coordination meeting were primarily from federal agencies, they primarily developed recommendations of what federal agencies may do to assist in resolving these impediments. Given the time constraints and the focus on sustainability, the group primarily limited its recommendations to the first four (the highest ranking) impediments related to the sustainable construction process.

30 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sust

1.

ain

Building c able Constr

odes

uction In Indian Country

Green building codes or standards are a topic of interest for tribes in some parts of the country.

Green building standards already affect several tribes. In Minnesota, tribes must abide by state green building codes when they incorporate certain types of state funding into affordable housing projects. In Washington State, tribes must abide by the energy code.

These standards comprise another area in which tribes have the freedom to develop standards

that reflect their cultural priorities, and they have the option to be more stringent than state standards. The Pinoleville Pomo Nation developed its own green building standards between 2008

and 2012 with TA from the interagency Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup. One issue they

encountered was difficulty getting their units insured.62 If tribes do not always know that they can develop their own codes and standards, then the housing industry is not always sure what to do

with these codes—just as they struggle to incorporate new types of sustainable housing such as

straw bale.

In addition, the process does require caution because too much strict regulation can inhibit

construction. One possibility is to adapt the International Green Construction Code to each

individual tribe’s needs. Federal agencies can provide incentives to tribes to implement green

practices and to meet green standards. Another part of the process includes considering ways to build tribal capacity to enforce building codes. The level of interest in green building standards at the tribal level is evident in the work of the Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup.

Best Practices: Building Codes

The interagency Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup, begun in March 2010, includes more

than 50 representatives from federal and tribal agencies and nonprofit organizations engaged

in exploring how tribes can adopt or adapt sustainable building codes or standards to support

housing that meets “the environmental, social and cultural priorities of Tribal people” (Na-

tional Tribal Green Building Codes Summit statement). Building codes shape federally funded

housing standards in Indian Country, but not all tribes have building codes or standards that

express their priorities.

The workgroup held its first summit June 23 and 24, 2011, when it developed a set of priori-

ties that included—

• “It is important to maintain clarity about the need to have tribally-driven and culturally-based process.”

• “Our emphasis needs to be on the development of a process rather than a product, from which tribally determined green building codes, and, or tribe-specific systems can develop.”

• “Codes need to support each Native Nation’s sovereignty, and be reflective of the community

and culture.”

For more information, contact Michelle Baker at 415–972–3206 or baker.michelle@epa.gov , or Laura Bartels at 970–379–6779 or laura@greenweaverinc.com .

62 Chee (2013).

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Sust

2. C

ainable Constr

osts and funding

uction In Indian Country

Costs and funding are constants, especially in an economic period focused on reduction rather

than on growth. The group suggested options for doing more with less, which promote the use of

sustainable construction practices from two directions.

• Education. The first direction can show tribes how sustainable investments can save money and how tribes can get their money’s worth. Each session of the Greener Homes and the

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country training provided information on how participants

could identify federal, state, and utility funding for sustainability. The SCinIC trainings also included information on contacting state energy offices, locating information on net metering

and policies through American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, carrying out online

benchmarking programs, and accessing data sheets to evaluate payback on sustainable

investments.

• Federal program use. The second direction, a thorough understanding of federal programs, reveals built-in supports to sustainable construction practices.

Education-related recommendations included letting tribes know how the health benefits of

sustainable housing can spill over into savings in other arenas. For example, healthcare costs

can decrease when people live in healthier buildings, and maintenance costs can decrease when

materials are more durable.

Other suggestions included creating tools to help tribes make smart energy improvement

choices, such as cost-benefit analysis tools or a matrix for tribal housing that shows the energy improvements with the greatest returns on investment, similar to the matrix for public housing

agencies available at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=affordable_housing.affordable_

housing_phas. In addition, federal agencies could develop a matrix that enumerates potential governmental funding sources for green improvements. In addition to the funding coordination

listed in the previous text

box, federal agencies could

incentivize sustainable

building practices in their

grant programs, as they did

American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act grant

programs.

Some other education

suggestions involved federal

agencies reaching out to other

housing industry entities

such as banks and lenders,

insurance companies, and

Muscogee (Creek) SIP House

appraisers to educate them

on the added value in energy-

Image: FirstPic, Inc. for HUD SCinIC

efficient homes.

32 | Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

SustFain

eder

able Constr

al programs have fle

uction In Indian Countr

xibility and credibility. Department of Housing and Urban Dev

y

elopment

(HUD) funding is still often seen simply as housing money, but it is also a tool that tribes can use to leverage other funds. Leveraging can be written into grants as a matching requirement, but HUD

staff can also emphasize it in training, when reviewing Indian Housing Plans and when working

with tribes. Sustainable building components can be added into existing HUD training curricula.

Federal agencies together can ensure that their training and TA efforts cross-reference and

consistently provide information on federal efforts such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s green labeling programs, HUD’s green construction programs, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s weatherization and energy efficiency programs. In addition, although it might also be useful for total development costs to include life-cycle costs, tribes are already eligible to apply for a variance to exceed the TDC with area-office approval based on the incorporation of sustainable building

technologies.63

Best Practices: Federal Agency Funding Coordination

An exciting example of federal agencies joining forces to standardize requirements, combine

funding sources, and enhance collaboration is the groundbreaking cooperation between the

HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, the Department of Transportation (DOT),

and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Interagency Partnership on Sustainable

Communities. This partnership promotes better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs.

It has also led to coordination planning, policy, and investment such as in the Transportation

Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grants. In TIGER II, for the first time, DOT

and HUD jointly awarded grants for local planning activities that will eventually lead to integrated transportation, housing, and development.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA also assisted with the grant program.

For more information, visit http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/

3. Capacity building

To expand the capacity of the tribes seeking to develop sustainable housing and communities,

participants suggested expanding the services provided by nongovernmental organizations and

supporting an increase in the capacity and number of community development corporations

(CDCs). Some suggested that the number of Native CDCs with the specific mission of serving Native American communities might be increased. One underused resource may be tribal colleges. Tribal

colleges are not only providing critically important training certificates and degrees in sustainable building vocations, they are, in many cases, leading the way in educating their communities and regions about sustainability from a long-term Native perspective. See the following text box for a brief overview of sustainability efforts at one tribal college, the College of Menominee, Sustainable Development Institute.

63 PIH Notice 2010-47.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Best Practices: Capacity Building and Sustainability Education

The College of Menominee, Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) is one example of a college

creating a rounded approach to sustainability by increasing campus efficiency, educating and

inspiring students and regional communities in sustainability efforts, and providing training in green-collar careers. SDI—

• Provides financial assistance to student interns researching sustainability issues, such as cam-puswide baseline conditions including energy benchmarking and greenhouse gas emissions,

vermiculture, and indoor air quality.

• Has increased the environmental education units in all areas of study and is engaging the

campus community on campus sustainable development through nine visioning sessions with

more than 90 participants.

• Has engaged Great Lakes-area tribes in climate change education and outreach.

• Supports carpooling and other efforts among staff and on campus.

• Conducts applied, participatory action research as identified by tribes, including the sustainability indicators research project.

For more information, contact Beau Mitchell at 715–799–5600, ext. 3145 or

bmitchell@menominee.edu.

During this meeting, a few participants reacted to the need for education because of frequent

leadership and other turnover and also to help leadership embrace quality, which would decrease the need to rebuild as frequently. These recommendations, similar to suggestions mentioned

previously, include providing incentives and rebates for sustainable construction, developing

baselines and collecting comparison information on efficiencies and savings, adapting analyses on sustainability in other communities for Native American communities, and getting the word about model tribal projects out to other tribes. One suggestion was for a tribal college version of the solar decathlon, where college teams compete to build innovative, affordable houses—often rooted in their regional culture or meeting a regional need—powered with solar energy. For sustainable building to be successful, educating prospective homeowners is as important as educating

leadership, because they will live in and need to maintain the final product.

Tribal capacity building also refers to the need to develop specific technical skill sets that will enable Native American communities to control some costs of sustainable construction by doing

the work inhouse.

The partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and American Indian tribes in

Oklahoma offers a different model, wherein smaller tribes that lack the capacity and staffing to carry out aspects of a construction project can collaborate with USACE. USACE takes on some of

the technical aspects and wins quality and cost gains for the tribes.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Best Practices: Capacity Building

Smaller tribes do not always have the capacity or staffing to manage construction projects. In

Oklahoma, because of a memorandum of understanding between HUD and USACE, allowed by

10 U.S.C. 3036d, the Chief’s Economy Act, tribes can partner with USACE to help with their grant applications and project management.

USACE will work with tribes to provide supporting documentation for their project applications, which adds credibility to the package. This documentation can include floor and site plans, a letter of support, and cost estimates. If the project is awarded, the tribe enters into a contract to pay USACE approximately 6 percent of a grant.

USACE, as is typical, will provide the tribe with request for qualifications and interview support, documentation for the audit process, analysis of prospective subcontractor cost proposals, and

design review. USACE has structural, mechanical, and architectural engineers on staff.

During the project, USACE provides tribes with multiple quality assurance inspections, which have led to an increase in the quality of materials used in projects and an increase in the square footage of projects. They review the pay application to ensure that anticipated work is completed before payment is made, ensure that the punch list is completed, and conduct a warranty inspection

slightly before a year after completion.

For more information, contact Cynthia Kitchens at 918–669–7042 or

cynthia.kitchens@usace.army.mil.

4. Planning

Sustainable construction does not mean simply adding energy efficiency to individual housing

units, it also means planning for long-term community development. Many tribes are already

creating long-term plans with their communities to guide land purchases, housing development,

and funding and site placement decisions. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians have been

conducting long-term planning since 2004, whereas the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Sioux approved

their first long-term plan in 2012. The Navajo Nation has long had planning sessions within its 10 chapters, and the chapters have developed their own plans—with varying degrees of success.

During 2010 and 2013, however, the Navajo Nation, through the Navajo Housing Authority, has

launched a comprehensive planning project to identify available land for construction, collect

information from residents about types of housing and site uses desired, and evaluate barriers to land use and siting. The process takes time and is likely to change as chapter needs change and residents learn more about planning. In addition, without TA to support the resolution of some

barriers to development, the housing so urgently needed by the community is not likely to be built.

Participants in the coordination meeting suggested that the federal government was well

positioned to encourage and support long-term sustainable planning by informing tribes about

available resources. These resources include Indian Community Development Block Grant funds,

Economic Development Administration public works planning grants, and Administration for

Native Americans grants that support long-range planning. In addition, federal agencies can let Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 35

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Constr

tribes know about their own r

uction In Indian Countr

egional planning commissions, which may have technical staff

y

available to support communities with needs such as community comprehensive planning, grant

preparation and assistance, mapping services, hazard mitigation planning, and environmental

assessments. They can also alert tribes to planning assistance training opportunities available through organizations including the National American Indian Housing Council and the Native

Learning Center.

The Mayor’s Institute on City Design is a National Endowment for the Arts initiative that helps transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of

their cities. Participants suggested that federal agencies could team up to create a tribal version to bring sustainable development concepts to more tribal leaders.

5. Federal coordination.

Participants also offered some overarching recommendations to facilitate better information

sharing and resource use among federal agencies.

• Identify the right contact person in other agencies to provide TA or services. Federal agency staff do not always know their counterparts in other agencies or realize who offers what

services within a federal agency. Regional contact lists could help.

• Coordinate and schedule trainings and meetings jointly rather than having multiple meetings

with tribes.

• In a similar way, coordinate among agencies to align agency visits to tribes.

• Support local and regional training with multiple-agency presence.

• Implement a joint project wherein agencies work together on, for example, a master plan, a

green building toolkit, or a green building codes or standards toolkit.

• Develop a clearinghouse of meetings on sustainability topics relevant to tribes.

• Conduct interagency meetings or establish an interagency workgroup.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Conclusion

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative has provided education, training, and technical assistance in sustainable technologies to Native American communities both for new building and for increasing the sustainability and health of existing homes. Between 2011 and 2013, the initiative helped build relationships among tribal staff and sustainability specialists, and it promoted the use of available tools for helping Native American communities make informed decisions about which sustainable

construction technologies to implement. For example, tribes received free blower-door testing and free modeling and benefit-analysis software, which enabled them to make the most cost-effective choices.

Further, the initiative supported and highlighted regional best practices in case studies that will inspire and educate tribes.

Key findings identify both impediments to and supports for sustainable construction in Indian

Country. Many obstacles to sustainable development in Indian Country are the same as the obstacles to conventional development in Indian Country, including an often short building cycle, staff turnover, land ownership and usage issues, rural location, and political roadblocks.

Some obstacles are specific to sustainable construction. Of potential concern is that the upfront costs will result in the construction of fewer units in areas with housing shortages and pent-up demand.

Tribal housing authority staff and local planners and architects may not be familiar with sustainable construction techniques or have the capacity to adequately maintain sustainable homes. Further, local construction teams may not have expertise or experience in building with the new technologies. Finally, although more options are becoming available, at present, funding is still mostly limited to federal resources.

The initiative also identified supports and rewards for sustainable construction. Strong enthusiasm exists among tribes that already have implemented sustainable technologies, and they are eager to share their experiences with other tribes. Several organizations are providing training and TA for sustainable building in Indian Country, as are several colleges and universities serving substantial American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Although these types of supports tend to focus in certain regions of the country—primarily Alaska, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest—they represent a major step in building capacity for funding, selecting, designing, and building sustainable projects. In addition to providing more affordable and healthy housing, sustainable construction is integral to many Native American communities. Not only do most tribes value and respect the environment, sustainable construction enables them to incorporate culturally relevant features in their designs.

The findings of the initiative have resulted in recommendations for continuing support for sustainable construction. One set of recommendations is to encourage tribes to adopt sustainable construction by having experts champion sustainable strategies in conferences, trainings, blogs, and other outreach efforts. Financial recommendations include leveraging available federal resources and materials to support tribes and tribally designated housing entities, encouraging green building within federal programs and funding sources, and supporting funding for and partnerships with local tribal colleges and other colleges and universities with a strong Native presence in their efforts to create sustainable construction programs.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | 37

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sust

The r

ainable Constr

esults of this initiative also r

uction In Indian Countr

ecommend supporting tribes in making informed decisions about the y

cost-effectiveness of different sustainable strategies by providing software and analyses that give them concrete information about anticipated outcomes and costs.

Increasing the use of sustainable construction technologies in Indian Country, as in the rest of the country, carries an appeal for additional financial incentives to support the incorporation of these technologies.

A change in perspective, however, may be equally critical to encouraging acceptance of and desire for sustainable construction technologies. This new perspective includes the following insights.

• Sustainable housing does not have to be in conflict with issues of overcrowding or the replacement of substandard housing. As one meeting participant framed it, “Housing development that is not

sustainable perpetuates the current problem. It impoverishes families with high energy costs, high maintenance costs, and health issues.”

• Sustainable housing does not have to be more expensive over the life of the housing unit. The inclusion of cost-effective sustainable technologies does require making informed choices based on the availability of materials, the suitability of materials to climate and housing unit, the return on investment, and budget considerations.

• Sustainable housing offers health and financial benefits for residents. The savings from reduced energy costs or doctors’ visits—in the case of decreased asthma attacks, for example—can be

redirected to other family needs.

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

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Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix A:

Review of Current Activities

(July 18, 2011)

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix A

+

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Contract: C-DEN-02370; Task Order DEN-T00006

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Task 1a - Current Demonstration, Technical Assistance and Training

Activities Letter Report

Submitted

July 18, 2011

Submitted to:

Mike Blanford, GTM

Anna Lloyd, GTR

Millie Egan, CO

Submitted by:

FirstPic, Inc.

2614 Chapel Lake Drive

Gambrills, MD 21054

DC Office: 202-393-6400

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Task 1a - Current Demonstration, Technical Assistance and Training Activities

Executive Summary

Description of Work

FirstPic, Inc. completed Task 1a and produced a letter report consisting of an executive summary and two products. The first is a comprehensive list of key informants with extensive knowledge

about sustainable residential construction projects in American Indian and Alaska Native

(AIAN) communities. This listing was developed in consultation with the Government Technical

Monitor Mike Blanford, Eastern/Woodlands Office of Native American Programs Administrator

Kevin Fitzgibbons, and members of the FirstPic, Inc. team.1 There was a systematic effort to

include key informants from diverse sectors, and to contact not only organizations that provide training, technical assistance and/or funding, but also who are highly knowledgeable about other, less visible entities working in Indian Country, and about sustainable construction projects that currently are underway or recently have been completed.

Key informants represent federal and regional government (for example, the U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) Area

Offices, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Energy), non-

governmental organizations (for example, regional housing associations and housing councils),

research centers (for example, Cold Climate Housing Research Center and Construction in

Indian Country), tribal colleges, and a range of other affiliations.

The key informants, in turn, provided many additional contacts and organizations which are

catalogued on the second product: a list of organizations that provide training, technical

assistance, and/or funding to support sustainable construction activities in Indian Country. It was compiled from the information obtained in the key informant interviews, augmented by the

material on their organizations’ Web sites, FirstPic’s follow-up research, and the 2011 Healthy Homes Summit. The list consists of two categories: organizations that provide funding for

sustainable construction, and organizations that offer training and/or technical assistance to

support sustainable construction. Entities that offer both funding and training are listed in both sections to facilitate identifying which organizations supply each of these services.

In order to provide the most useful picture of the services being offered in Indian Country, each of the two listings includes:

 Contact information

 General description of services

 Region served (if known)

 Tribes served – note that an entity may serve more tribes than we were able to name

 Other information –more details about the services offered and/or key informants’

perspectives on sustainable construction in Indian Country

1 FirstPic, Inc. team members involved in development of the initial informant list included Kate Brown, Daniel Glenn, Jim Anderson, Robert Nemeth, Lynda Lantz, Christine Velez, Laura Appelbaum, and Mindi D’Angelo.

2

Overview of Findings

There appear to be fewer “green” building services targeted toward AIAN communities for new

resident construction projects as compared to existing home projects. There are a limited number of organizations providing training and technical assistance on new construction in Indian

Country. Key informants often mentioned the same entities in a given region: for example,

Cascadia Green Building Council in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Cold Climate Housing

Research Center in Alaska, and the Enterprise Green Communities program for Native

Americans in the Southwest.

A greater number of organizations provide training and technical assistance for increasing the

sustainability of existing homes. For example, the EPA does a lot of training on assessment and remediation of indoor air quality and mold on existing homes. HUD conducts 12 energy

assessments annually as well as regional workshops which focus on energy efficiency and

rehabilitation. The federal Bonneville Power Administration has a low-income weatherization

program for tribes in the Pacific Northwest.

Educational entities such as tribal colleges are a good way for tribes to increase the number of members with professional green building skills, but tribal colleges primarily are clustered in the Great Lakes, the Dakotas, Montana and the Southwest. Red Feather Development Group and

Zuni Housing Authority both have implemented successful models for increasing the capacity of

housing authorities to carry out their own construction projects, but this is not common in Indian Country. Most tribes work with the construction firms that are available in their area, and when they use tribal members it is usually in relatively unskilled capacities. In at least one region, tribes have had difficulty accessing construction firms with experience in sustainable

construction technologies. This is especially true when they are required to use the lowest bidder While there are regional funding sources such as the Alaska Finance Corporation and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, most of the funding for residential construction in Indian County

comes from government sources such as Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), Indian

Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG), and American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act (ARRA) funds. Occasionally, funding for residential housing construction is tied into a

larger Community Development Plan; this is the case with the Thunder Valley Project in the

Pine Ridge Reservation. Housing Authorities and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs)

typically combine funding from several or all these sources in conjunction with state or private financing (for example, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority).

Other Information

As part of the data collection process for Task 1a, we compiled a list of sustainable residential construction projects that tribes recently have completed, are currently underway with, or are

planning. Although this is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory, it does provide a good indication of the scope of sustainable construction activities taking place in Alaska and the lower 48 states. This list will be provided this week.

3

KEY INFORMANTS ON SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIAN COUNTRY

JULY 18, 2011

Federal Organizations

Organization: Alaska ONAP

Contact Name: David Vought

Title: Native American Program Specialist

Phone: 907-677-9862

Email: david.vought@hud.gov

Organization: Bonneville Power Administration

Contact Person: Nathan Dexter, Tribal Affairs Manager or

Carrie Nelson, Low-Income Weatherization for Tribes

Phone: 503-230-7306; 503-230-4125

Email Address: nldexter@bpa.gov

Both out spoke with: Molly Moreland at 503-230-7685

Organization: Department of Energy Tribal Energy Program

Contact Name: Lizana Pierce

Title: Director

Phone: 303-2754727

Web Address: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/about.cfm

Organization: Eastern Woodlands ONAP

Contact Name: Brian Gillen

Title: Native American Program Specialist

Phone: 800-735-3239 or 312-913-8626

Email: Brian.Gillen@HUD.gov

Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8

Contact Name: Alfreda Mitre

Title: Region 8, EPA Director, Tribal Assistance Programs

Phone: 303-312-6343

Organization: Northern Plains ONAP

Contact Name: Randall Akers

Title: Administator

Phone: 303-672-5160

Email: Randall.R.Akers@hud.gov

4

Key Informants

Organization: Northwest ONAP

Contact Name: Tom Carney

Title: GM Director

Phone: 206-220-6204

Email: tom.carney@hud.gov

Organization: Southern Plains ONAP

Contact Name: Michelle Tinnin

Title: Native American Program Specialist

Phone: 405-609-8532

Email: Michelle.K.Tinnin@hud.gov

Organization: Southwest ONAP

Contact Name: Carolyn J. O'Neil

Title: Administator

Phone: 602-379-7235

Email: Carolyn.J.O'Neil@hud.gov

Organization: ONAP, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Contact Name: Robert Lamp

Title: Title VI Loan Guarantee Specialist

Phone: 202-402-4134

Email: Robert.A.Lamp@hud.gov

National Non-profit Organizations

Organization: Enterprise Green Communities

Contact Name: Rose Marquez

Phone: 505-216-0928

Email: rmarquez@enterprisecommunity.org

Web Address: http://www.enterprisecommunity.org/programs/native_american/

Organization: National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)

Contact Name: John D. Siegnemartin

Title: Training and Technical Assistance Program Director

Phone: 850-939-4256

Email: jseignemartin@naihc.net

Web Address: http://www.naihc.net/

5

Key Informants

Organization: National Tribal Healthy Homes Assessment, Training and Technical Assistance Support Center

Contact Name: Mike Vogel

Title: Executive Director

Phone: 406-581-2432 or 406-994-5417

Email: mvogel@montana.edu

Web Address: http://tribalhealthyhomes.org/

Regional Non-profit Organizations

Organization: Association of Alaska Housing Authorities

Contact Name: Dan Duame

Title: President

Phone: 907-563-2146 (work); 907-441-9313 (cell)

Email: dan.duame@aleutian-housing.com

Organization: Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC)

Contact Name: Jack Hebert

Title: President and CEO

Phone: 907-457-3454

Email: jack@cchrc.org

Web Address: http://www.cchrc.org/

Organization: Corporation for Supportive Housing, American Indian Supportive Housing

Initiative

Contact Name: Zoe LeBeau and Leah Lindstrom

Title: Senior Program Managers

Phone: 612- 418-0769 (cell)

Organization: Nevada-California Indian Housing Association

Contact Name: Phil Bush

Title: President

Phone: 530-596-4127

Email: bushconsulting@thegrid.net or modoclasseniaj@thegrid.net

Organization: Northwest Indian Housing Association (NWIHA)

Contact Name: Joe Diehl

Title: Executive Director

Phone: 206-290-5498

Email: nwiha@aol.com

Web Address: http://www.nwiha.org/index.html

6

Key Informants

Organization: Southern Plains Indian Housing Association

Contact Name: Billy E. Komahcheet

Title: President

Phone: 405-547-2402 ext 231-work; 405-334-2184-cell

Email: bkomahcheet@iowanation.org

Web Address: http://www.spiha.org/default.aspx

Organization: Southwest Tribal Housing Alliance

Contact Name: Michael Chavez

Title: President

Phone: 505-782-4550 or 505-782-4564

Email: mchavez@pozha.org

Organization: United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Environmental Liaison Office

Contact Name: Steve Crawford

Title: Natural Resources Chairman

Phone: 207-853-2600 x 238

Web Address: http://www.usetinc.org/Programs/USET-Environmental/HomeELO.aspx

Educational Organizations

Organization: College of Menominee Nation

Contact Name: Dr. Holly YoungBear-Tibbetts

Title: Dean of External Relations

Phone: 505-466-3206

Email: Tangram@hughes.net

Web Address: http://www.menominee.edu

Organization: Construction in Indian Country (CIIC) in partnership with the Arizona State University, Del E. Webb School of Construction

Contact Name: Kim Silentman-Kanuho

Title: Senior Coordinator

Phone: 480-727-3105

Email: ciic@asu.edu

Web Address: http://construction.asu.edu/ciic/index.html

7

ORGANIZATIONS CONDUCTING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIAN COUNTRY

JULY 18, 2011

Organization: Alaska Building Science Network (ABSN)

Contact Person: Scott Anaya, Executive Director

Phone: 907-562-9927

Email Address: absn@alaska.net

Web Address: http://www.absn.com/

Type of Activity: Training and technical assistance

Region Served: Alaska

Tribes Served: Under Village End Use Efficiency Measures (VEUEM), ABSN worked in

Arctic Village, Atmautluak, Brevig Mission, Chignik, Chitina, Crooked Creek, Ekwok, False

Pass, Hughes, Kipnuk, Kwethluk, Lower Kalskag, Levelock, New Stuyahok, Nightmute,

Nikolski, Pedro Bay, Saint Michael, Stebbins, Steven's Village, Stoney River, Takotna,

Tooksook Bay, Tuluksak, Tuntutuliak, Unalakleet, Upper Kalskag, White Mountain

General Description of Services: Each year, ABSN conducts over 100 trainings all throughout Alaska for a variety of audiences such as residential contractors, housing authority staff,

mechanical contractors, energy raters, home owners, vocational technical students, rural facility and maintenance managers, Real Estate agents, home inspectors, carpenters, and other groups

who request trainings. In addition to fee classes, ABSN gets funding from Alaska Housing

Finance Corporation, Alaska Eenergy Authority, Denali Commission, and the Environmental

Protection Agency to help facilitate many of their classes, especially those they conduct in rural Alaska. Each year ABSN also provides technical assistance to dozens of individuals and entities on a variety of building science topics.

ABSN's Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) consists of energy efficiency audits,

training and upgrades performed primarily in rural Alaskan community buildings. ABSN's CEEP

Program started in January 2005. ABSN conducted work under an AEA’s VEUEM with funding

from the Denali Commission. From January 2005 to December 2010, ABSN completed work in

49 villages throughout Western and Interior Alaska to help them achieve energy savings by

replacing or installing energy-efficient lighting, switch boxes, motion sensors, set back

thermostats, weather stripping and low mass boilers.

8

Training and Technical Assistance

Other Information: With high fuel prices, villages are working in cooperation with ABSN to expand their work, providing in-kind labor, free housing, and additional supplies. As a result, significant progress toward community energy efficiency is being achieved. Whenever possible,

ABSN hires local labor and provides project-specific training along with boiler maintenance

training (from Web site). ABSN publishes a quarterly newsletter, provides technical training

workshops, continuing education credits, can perform energy audits, make energy efficiency

recommendations, and train construction crews, building owners, maintenance workers and

occupants.

Their technical assistance ranges from simply answering an email or phone call, to proofing

building plans and energy systems, to providing hands-on technical training or inspection of the building envelope or mechanical systems. For the most recent completed fiscal year, ABSN

provided technical assistance on approximately 175 occasions. Sample clients include: AHFC,

Energy Raters, Housing Authorities, Building America project in Hydaburg, Tribal

Governments, Habitat for Humanity, homeowners, Residential Contractors, and a variety of

other professions and entities.

Sample topics include: boiler sizing, vapor retarders, green building products, XPS foam, ice

dams, AkWarm, non VOC paint, energy savings, lighting, tax credits, Remote Wall Systems and

Outside Insulation Techniques, wet spray cellulose, ground source heat pumps, windows, attic

and crawlspace ventilation, water heaters, soy-based insulation, Building Energy Efficiency

Standards (BEES), duct leakage testing, EnergyGauge, blower door testing questions, thermal

loss for heated sidewalks, blueboard, caulks and foams, radiant heat, heat recovery ventilators, boiler fuel use, green design, and a whole host of other building related topics.

2010 - 2012 Update: ABSN has new funding, over $3.4mil for work in 48 communities across

Alaska. In the next two years they will train approximately 175-200 local workers in these 48

Villages to conduct lighting and weatherization upgrades on their community buildings. Part of

this program is also funded through a partnership with the Bristol Bay Native Association and

they will conduct the same efforts in 14 communities in the Bristol Bay Region. ABSN also will

work in partnership with the Alaska Works Partnership and AHFC to develop a trained work

force in these communities that can conduct the energy efficiency upgrade work thoroughly and

safely. The communities ABSN will be working with include: Aleknagik, Chignik Lake, Clark's

Pt., Ekuk, Ekwok, Koliganek, Levelock, Manokotak, Naknek, New Stuyahok, Nondalton,

Portage Creek, Togiak, Twin Hills, Deering, Kiana, Shishmaref, Teller, Chignik, King Cove,

Kokhanok, Akutan, Cold Bay, False Pass, Port Heiden, Buckland, Elim, Kobuk, Koyuk, noorvik,

Saint Michael, Selawik, Shakoolik, Shungnak, White Mountain, Houston, Kachemak, Seldovia,

Gustavus, Hydaburg, Klawock, Pelican, Petersburg, Tenakee Springs, Thorne Bay, Aleknagik,

Clark's Pt., Dillingham, Egegik, and Newhalen.

9

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Alaska Craftsman Home Program (ACHP)

Contact Person: Rob Jordan, Executive Director

Phone: 907-258-2247

Email Address: achp@alaska.net

Web Address: http://www.achpalaska.com/index.html

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: Since its beginnings, ACHP has and continues to provide education in energy-efficient building technology throughout the State of Alaska. All ACHP

workshops, publications, and projects are designed specifically for Northern regions. They offer workshops for professionals, as well as free workshops for the public to do or direct energy

efficient improvements.

Other Information: The Alaska Craftsman Home Program, Inc. is an educational building

industry alliance that promotes energy-efficient housing that is cost-effective, healthy, and

durable . ACHP is the first program of its kind in the United States. It was formed in 1987 with the assistance of the State of Alaska Office of Energy Programs, in conjunction with the

University of Alaska Cooperative Extension service, Energy Rated Homes of Alaska, and the

Alaska State Home Builders Association. ACHP was formed in 1987 (from Web site). It offers

Building Performance Institute Analyst Training, professional workshops, and classes.

10

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)

Contact Person: Mimi Burbage, Energy Specialist ; Scott Waterman, Energy Specialist

Phone: 907-330-8192 (Mimi); 907-330-8195 (Scott)

Email Address: mburbage@ahfc.us ; swaterma@ahfc.us

Web Address: http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: AHFC is a self-supporting public corporation with offices in 16 communities statewide. It provides free classes for potential homebuyers and statewide

financing for multi-family complexes, congregate facilities, and single-family homes, with

special loans for first-time home buyers, low- and moderate-income borrowers, veterans,

teachers, nurses, public safety officers, and those living in rural areas of the state. AHFC is also a key provider of energy and weatherization programs in the state. According to David Vought,

they are a "very significant housing partner throughout the state."

11

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Bonneville Power Administration

Contact Person: Nathan Dexter, Tribal Affairs Manager

Phone: 503-230-7306

Email Address: nldexter@bpa.gov

Web Address: http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/About_BPA/tribes/

Type of Activity: Funding, training and technical asistance

Region Served: Northwest

Tribes Served: Colville, Coeur d'Alene, Kalispel, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Spokane, Umatilla, Upper Columbia United Tribes, Warm Springs, Yakama, Blackfeet, Burns Paiute, Ft.

McDermitt, Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Shoshone Bannock, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes,

Cedarville, Chehalis, Confederated Coos Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw, Coquille, Cow Creek,

Cowlitz, Ft. Bidwell, Grand Ronde, Hoh, Jamestown S’Klallam, Klamath, Lower Elwha,

Lummi, Makah, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Nooksack, Pit River, Port Gamble S’Klallam,

Puyallup, Quileute, Quinault, Samish, Sauk-Suiattle, Siletz, Shoalwater Bay, Skokomish,

Snoqualmie, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Te-Moak of Western

Shoshone, Tulalip, Upper Skagit

General Description of Services: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has a Tribal Energy Group that provides training and funding for energy audits and whole house assessments. They

work with Tribes in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. The local power company has to be

affiliated with Bonneville in order for the community to receive training and/or funds.

Other Information: BPA, a nonprofit federal agency, has two types of programs. It funds

energy efficiency measures through its public utilities. The public utilities select projects in their service areas. There are also set asides for low-income weatherization projects for tribes. This was how the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe installed ductless heat pumps in 30 percent of their

housing units. These were installed by the Clallam power utility district. The program was so

popular that the tribe funded the installation of additional units through its general fund.

12

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Building Science Academy (BSA)

Phone: 616-887-2311

Web Address: http://www.buildingscienceacademy.com

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Michigan

Tribes Served: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

General Description of Services: Building Science Academy is a licensed Michigan Proprietary School with the State of Michigan that is committed to providing every individual with the skills to enter the energy efficiency and green jobs work force. This includes entry level workers with no experience in construction or energy auditing. They are committed to not just preparing

students for certification but with giving them the knowledge and hands-on experience and

capabilities to put their certification to work.

BSA students have access to over 300 hours of building science curriculum preparing them for

careers in the energy efficiency and the new green job economy. BSA is an affiliate training

organization of the Building Performance Institute (BPI) to provide Building Analyst and

Envelope Professional training courses for individuals who want to pursue a career related to

utility programs, weatherization programs or with contractors as energy auditors. In addition,

they offer Air Sealing and Insulation and Contractor Installation training courses. Their Web site provides detailed information about all of the training that they offer.

BSA has a Tribal Training Director.

Other Information: BSA assists community colleges and universities in implementing energy efficiency programs. In addition, BSA can accommodate the needs of many non-profits

specializing in renewable energy, recycling, and the environment by conducting specialized

training or expanding their existing training programs. They also partner with government

agencies and non-profits who are seeking federal grants in energy efficiency.

13

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Cascadia Green Building Council, a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council Contact Person: Mark Mastellar, Alaska Director

Phone: 907-373-2723

Email Address: mark@cascadiagbc.org

Web Address: http://www.cascadiagbc.org

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska, but also includes members from as far away as Idaho and Montana. Helps the U.S. and Canada Green Building Councils

meet their goals in the Pacific Northwest

General Description of Services: Sponsors trainings and seminars. They are running a

competition for the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities, which wants to encourage green

building and reduce housing costs. The contest is for Living Aleutian Home Design Competition.

The competition will begin at the end of 2011 in partnership with the Aleutian Housing

Authority. The contest will be open October 1, 2011-January 18, 2012. They are seeking a

“practical, affordable and replicable” design that is suited to the harsh landscape and high energy and materials costs in the Aleutian tribal communities.

Cascadia does advocacy, research and technical consulting, outreach, education and training

(through lecture series and workshops).

14

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Contact Person: Jack Hebert; Michele Doyle

Phone: 907-457-3454

Email Address: jack@cchrc.org; michele@cchrc.org

Web Address: http://www.cchrc.org

Type of Activity: Research and housing design; education; training available in the future Region Served: Alaska

Tribes Served: Anaktuvuk Pass, Native Village of Kwinhagek, Atqasuk

General Description of Services: The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) is an

industry-based, nonprofit corporation created to facilitate the development, use, and testing of energy-efficient, durable, healthy, and cost-effective building technologies for people living in circumpolar regions around the globe. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Research Center was

conceived and developed by members of the Alaska State Home Builders Association and

represents more than 1,200 building industry firms and groups. Ninety percent of CCHRC's

charter members are general contractors from across the state.

CCHRC has its own architectural team to do housing design, and the Sustainable Northern

Communities program focuses on green building. CCHRC has sponsored prototype homes in a

number of communities (see Alaska ONAP and other information). CCHRC provides

information and education on solar power, solar thermal, wind power, heating systems and

energy efficiency. David Vought reported that they are trying to get funding to create designs for tribes, because one design won't meet the needs of every part of Alaska.

Other Information: The Sustainable Northern Shelter project was initiated in 2008 to address the needs for sustainable rural housing in northern climates. The project investigates, develops and incorporates many sustainable solutions that will benefit northern communities by

demonstrating a culturally designed, affordable, replicable and simply constructed home that

uses very little water or energy. As interest in the program grew, the title was changed to

Sustainable Northern Communities to reflect the many projects now being done in different areas of the state. The Tagiugiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority (TNHA) is partnering with CCHRC

to develop a design for affordable, energy efficient, healthy, homes in six North Slope villages.

The homes feature a unique foundation system adapted to the permafrost conditions in the high

arctic. Up to four homes will be constructed in the community of Atqasuk, with plans to expand

design and construction in the communities of Wainwright, Point Lay, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik.

This project includes the prototype homes that were built in Anaktuvuk Pass and Kwinhagek.

15

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: College of Menominee Nation

Contact Person: Dr. Holly Youngbear-Tibbetts

Phone: 505-466-3206

Email Address: Tangram@hughes.net

Web Address: http://www.menominee.edu

Type of Activity: Research and education

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: Menominee is internationally recognized for their work in sustainable construction. They have a sustainable residential building systems technical diploma.

They partner with the U.S. Forest Service to do sustainable forestry research and education, and they have an extension center (with the Forest Products Lab).

Other Information: Tribal colleges are a good way to move the message of sustainable

construction forward for two reasons: (1) Campuses are using green materials and design in the

construction of their buildings and are excellent demonstration sites, and (2) Tribal colleges offer a building trade program that includes application of green materials, technology, and design.

There are 36 tribal colleges clustered in few areas: Great Lakes (11), New Mexico (1), Arizona

(2), Montana (7), North Dakota (4), South Dakota (5), Pacific Northwest (1). A list of tribal

colleges can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whtc/edlite-tclist.html

16

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Construction in Indian Country (CIIC), Arizona State University, Del Webb

School of Construction

Contact Person: Kim Kanubo

Phone: 480-727-3105

Email Address: ciic@asu.edu

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Southwest

Tribes Served: Navajo

General Description of Services: Mission is to promote positive construction in native

communities and to educate Native Americans. Offer workshops through annual construction

convention held each April or May. Completed 8th annual conference this past April. This year

adding mobile seminars -- go to communities and provide information on "Construction 101" --

they teach people about the construction process. They provide training to tribes and contractors.

Other Information: (1) They are working on becoming a clearinghouse for all the construction needs in Indian Country -- want to be a one-stop shop, the go-to place for Indian construction.

(2) They have not focused on sustainable construction training, but Kim stressed that they have the capacity to put together training on any construction issue. They tailor their seminars to the needs of their audience. They use a network of speakers who can train in the areas of interest. (3) They will be charging for workshops and training, with cost starting at $5,000.

Their annual conference included one session titled Indigenous Materials and Sustainable Practices. The panel featured a construction company which uses sustainable design and construction practices; an overview by a company which uses geothermal energy for commercial

scale projects on tribal lands leading to cost and water saving and other environmental benefits; and a Native-owned photovoltaic solar development company which specializes in turnkey solar

solutions in Indian Country.

17

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Denali Commision (The)

Contact Person: Karen Johnson, Program Manager

Phone: 907-271-3036

Email Address: karenj@denali.gov

Web Address: http://www.denali.gov

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: The Denali Commission has placed job training at the center of its comprehensive plan for economic growth in Alaska. This includes construction. In just a

few short years, the Commission has made significant strides in assisting rural communities with their workforce development needs. As the Commission funds projects for new clinics, roads,

and tank farms, it also builds sustainability into those projects by providing training for local residents to maintain and operate the new facilities.Types of projects funded include

infrastructure related energy cost reduction and renewable and alternative energy.

Other Information: Introduced by Congress in 1998, the Denali Commission is an independent federal agency designed to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic support

throughout Alaska. With the creation of the Denali Commission, Congress acknowledged the

need for increased inter-agency cooperation and focus on Alaska's remote communities. Since its first meeting in April 1999, the Commission is credited with providing numerous cost-shared

infrastructure projects across the State that exemplify effective and efficient partnership between federal and state agencies, and the private sector. Under "project database" on their Web site, can click on the State of Alaska icon to view an interactive map of all Denali Commission

projects by funding year, location, and program area.

18

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Development Center for Appropriate Technology

Contact Person: David Eisenberg, Executive Director

Phone: 520-624-6628

Email Address: strawnet@gmail.com

Web Address: www.dcat.net

Type of Activity: Training and technical assistance

General Description of Services: Education through publications, presentations at conferences, universities, and speaker series; Web-based resources, including: Forum for information, referral, and communication for sustainable building issues; Referrals to human and technical resources

on alternative technologies, natural building, and code issues; Consulting services on alternative building systems, such as straw bale construction and on integrated design processes; Technical workshops on alternative building materials & methods for local, regional, state, and national building code organizations; Training for the building and design communities on code-related

issues.

Other Information: Tribal building codes specialist

19

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Enterprise Green Communities, National Rural and Native American Initiative Contact Person: Rose Marquez

Phone: 505-216-0928

Email Address: rmarquez@enterprisecommunity.org

Type of Activity: Funding and training

General Description of Services: The National Rural and Native American Initiative funded the Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative. Some of their other rural projects, (like Chuska

Apartments in Gallup, NM), may benefit Native Americans but are not developed with tribes.

They conduct some training sessions at conferences.

20

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 (construction waste)

Contact Person: Ms. Dolly Tong

Phone: 312-886-1019

Email Address: Tong.Dolly@EPA.gov

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Eastern/Woodlands

General Description of Services: Dolly Tong heads-up the Region V Tribal Solid Waste and Pollution Prevention initiative, which includes construction waste. She has conducted numerous

presentations and training for tribes including recycling and reuse, waste reduction, and funding sources.

21

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Regions 8 and 9

Contact Person: Michelle Baker, EPA Region 9; Alfreda Mitre, EPA Region 8

Phone: 415-972-3206

Email Address: baker.michelle@epa.gov

Web Address: http://www.epa.gov/region4/recycle/green-building-toolkit.pdf

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: EPA Region 9 provides grants for pilot projects. They have developed a training workshop, fostered partnerships with other federal agencies such as HUD

and DOT, and coordinated with non- governmental agencies such as Green Building Council.

They work to respect tribal sovereignty and support tribal vision for sustainable construction.

They have developed a Sustainable Design and Green Building Toolkit that is available for

download from the Web (not tribal specific). Region 8 has partnered with HUD to provide

training on Green Building Codes.

22

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Web Address: http://www.fdltcc.edu/academics/departments/certificate/clean-energy-

technology.shtml

Type of Activity: Training

General Description of Services: Clean Energy Technology Certificate emphasizes alternative and renewable energy systems paired with conventional electrical courses. Offers students the

ability to work in the field of clean energy in a residential, tribal community, or business setting.

23

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Greater Minnesota Housing Fund

Contact Person: Janne Flistrand

Web Address: www.mngreencommunities.org/about/index.htm

Type of Activity: Funding and technical assistance

Region Served: Minnesota

General Description of Services: Green charettes and technical assistance to Minnesota

projects.

24

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Green Native Council

Contact Person: Tony Monroe

Phone: 509-575-3898

Email Address: tmonroe@northwestnativearchitecture.com

Web Address: http://www.greennativecouncil.com/

Type of Activity: Technical Assistance, training, education

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: Yerington Paiute, Yurok, Yakama

General Description of Services: Green Native Council provides technical assistance, training, and consulting services to assist AIAN communities to create sustainable housing solutions. It

teaches affordable, replicable, and sustainable approaches to commercial and home design and

construction. Green Native Council organizes programs and works alongside tribal members to

design and build needed sustainable homes. The Council provides technical expertise to help

local tribes, government designers, and builders implement requirements; administers impartial

third-party inspection and verification, which ensures the program requirements have been met;

and issues certification that projects have been constructed to the green building requirements.

Green Native Council has developed a reviewer and inspector certificaton training program. This training program certifies local area reviewers and inspectors in quality assurance methods

designed for construction. This includes either online or classroom training and passing the

Green Native Council exam. Green Native Council can also provide custom training. (Web site)

Other Information: Prior to any project, Green Native Council staff conducts informational and educational seminars on the Reservation to educate tribal members about sustainable

construction techniques and community planning. In addition, Green Native Council can assist

tribal members with the complicated mortgage process and collaborates with Indian Housing

Authorities to facilitate individual homeownership. Once a project is complete, there is ongoing collaboration between tribal homeowners, TDHEs, and Green Native Council, as each home or

facility serves as an example for the rest of the Reservation Community of how to create a

beautiful, super-insulated, affordable home. Green homes incorporate environmental

considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process

to minimize environmental impact. The design, construction and operation of a home must focus

on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor

environmental quality, and must take the home's overall impact on the environment into account.

However, many of the processes and technologies that go into a green home happen behind the

scenes and behind the walls. (Web site)

25

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: ONAP, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: Greener Homes Summit. Planning for third year. Provides overview of sustainable technologies and renewable energy. Presenters include communities

with sustainable residential projects.

ONAP also conducts energy audits in each of the six regions and regional training workshops on

improving air quality and energy efficiency in tribal housing. These sessions focus more on

rehabilitation rather than new construction.

26

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Intertribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)

Phone: 602-258-4822

Web Address: http://www.itcaonline.com/program_weather.html

Type of Activity: Technical assistance and training

Region Served: Arizona

General Description of Services: The ITCA Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

coordinates weatherization upgrades for low income households on tribal lands with the goal of

lowering the annual utility bills for low income families. Tribes may coordinate the entire

program with reimbursement provided for work completed on each eligible home or choose to

have the ITCA coordinate and manage the program, with ITCA directly contracting the

weatherization work. ITCA will train the tribe to do its own weatherization.

27

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College

Contact Person: Dan Owens

Phone: 715-634-4790

Email Address: dowens@lco.edu

Web Address: http://www.lco.edu/catalog/deg/gbc.html

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: Has a Green Building Carpentry Certificate Program that includes classroom and on-site activites. The Green Building Carpentry Certificate is designed

for students to develop skills needed to perform carpentry tasks in compliance with green

residential construction. The courses are taught in classroom, lab, and actual building sites so students are more fully prepared to gain sustainable employment.

Also has a Renewable Energy Certificate that offers coursework on the installation and

maintenance of renewable enrgy systems. This program is designed to introduce students to the

field of renewable energy (RE) and also provide a means to develop hands-on skills for installing and maintaining RE systems. The program provides a foundation for students preparing for

employment in the RE industry. When coupled with business training, this program can prepare

the graduate for a career as a RE self-employed business owner.

28

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Leech Lake Tribal College

Contact Person: Saul Saucedo

Phone: 218-335-4287

Email Address: saul.saucedo@lltc.edu

Web Address: http://lltc.edu/academics/degreeprograms/carpentryelectrical.htm

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: Provides 1-year Construction Trades or 2-year Electrical Trades Diplomas with some coursework in sustainable design, interior and exterior

environmental design. Students participate in building an Eco-Affordable house which is sold

and transported to a local homebuyer.

29

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)

Contact Person: John Siegnemartin, Training and Technical Assistance Program Director;

Dennis Daniels, Deputy Director

Phone: 850-939-4256 (John); 202-454-0912 (Dennis)

Email Address: jseignemartin@naihc.net; ddaniels@NAIHC.NET

Web Address: http://www.naihc.net/

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: NAIHC recieves set-aside money from Indian Housing Block Grant program. The bulk of NAIHC's training and technical assistance is provided through a

cooperative agreement with IHBG for training in how to run a housing program, financial

management, board development, etc. NAIHC does very little work on sustainable development.

Most of their sustainable development training is classroom training delivered through

subcontractors. This year, they are working with a new contractor (see TRAVOIS) to provide an

introduction to the concept of sustainable construction.

30

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Native American Housing Services (NAHS)

Contact Person: Sharon Wise

Phone: 405-990-0066

Type of Activity: Funding, technical assistance and can put trainings together

General Description of Services: (1) Sharon doesn't do training but she knows who can, and she can put trainings together. (2) She is a certified CDHO. (3) Her organization administers

HOME funds, tax credits and leveraging. Based on mission, works with other groups to develop

affordable housing. (4) Specifically, according to NAHS' mission statement, they provide

technical assistance to TDHEs to strengthen organizational and individual capacity; create

Homebuyer Education curriculum; and provide property management and "lease to own"

programs to create avenues to homeownership.

Other Information: Based on the mission statement, they may not do training in sustainable construction; however, they help put together and fund affordable housing projects and do

homebuyer education.

31

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Native Learning Center

Contact Person: Holly Tigers Bowers

Phone: 954-966-6300

Email Address: Htiger@SemTribe.com

Web Address: http://www.nativelearningcenter.com/

Type of Activity: Training

General Description of Services: The Native Learning Center strives to strengthen the Native American tradition of living in harmony with nature through supporting planet-friendly and

sustainable practices by using today’s newest tools. The Housing Strategies curriculum offers a variety of courses on ways in which tribes can build and maintain sustainable and affordable

housing within their communities, including an introduction to LEED.

32

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Nevada-California Indian Housing Association

Contact Person: Phil Bush, President

Phone: 530-596-4127

Email Address: bushconsulting@thegrid.net

Web Address: http://nv-cal.org

Type of Activity: Education and training, project management

Region Served: Nevada and California

General Description of Services: The Nevada-California Indian Housing Association

represents member Indian Tribes, Indian Housing Authorities, and TDHEs from Nevada and

California. The association seeks to accomplish its objectives through exchanging information

and providing education and training opportunities for its membership. Because a number of its

member tribes are very small, the housing association provides project management from start to finish on the projects of some of their members. They get the funding for the project and make

sure the project is completed and gets Energy Star certified. They do all the contract

administration. “We do it all.” While Phil Bush said that green building was too expensive for

tribes, he does work with tribes to get Energy Star certification. They work with architects,

engineers and tribes to ensure that their projects get Energy Star Certification. This certification affects the entire structure – foundation, windows, doors, insulation, vapor barriers, attics,

ductwork, light fixtures, appliances, etc.

33

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority and the Chukchi Campus of the College of Rural and Community Development, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Contact Person: Dan Duame, Association of Alaska Housing Authorities

Phone: 970-563-2146

Email Address: dan.duame@aleutian-housing.com

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Alaska

Tribes Served: Northwest Inupiat

General Description of Services: Have a joint project funded by HUD to construct a prototype super energy efficient house as part of the Campus's Construction Technology Trades program.

It is in the design stage this summer (2011) and will be built next summer.

34

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Red Feather Development Group

Contact Person: Cindy Owings, Executive Director

Phone: 406-585-7188

Web Address: https://www.redfeather.org/

Type of Activity: Training and construction

Region Served: Southwest and Northern Plains

Tribes Served: Hopi, Northern Cheyenne, and neighboring tribes who want to participate in the Indigenous Builders Exchange.

General Description of Services: Red Feather’s American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative combines community outreach with hands-on, volunteer friendly straw bale home construction,

as a feasible means for communities to use their own resources to improve housing. Red Feather

homes are used as a training site for individuals to learn about construction practices utilizing three educational components, comprised of: Red Feather’s Straw Bale Construction emphasis,

which promotes a construction technique focused on economic and environmental sustainability;

the Solar Energy Initiative, which brings energy efficiency and long-term affordability to the

homes they build; and the Indigenous Builders Exchange, which provides paid training for

American Indians from their partner communities to learn and utilize construction skills.

Other Information: The Indigenous Builders Exchange (IBE) brings tribal members into one another’s reservations to build homes for native families in need. IBE introduces participants to sustainable straw bale home construction in a mentorship situation and offers a cultural exchange among participating tribal members and Red Feather’s volunteers. Red Feather’s ultimate goal is to empower individuals, families and communities through meaningful projects that teach skills

in sustainable construction and introduce understanding of how to organize and motivate a

volunteer-based organization.

35

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Rural Community Innovations (RCI)

Contact Person: Michael Utter, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 406-587-0783

Email Address: michael@rci-usa.org

Web Address: http://www.rci-usa.org/index.html

Type of Activity: Training and funding

General Description of Services: Non-profit organization that provides solar, wind and waste energy development, and grant funding at the community level, not necessarily the individual

residential level.

36

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Southern Plains ONAP

Contact Person: Michelle Timmin

Phone: 405-609-8532

Email Address: Michelle.K.Tinnin@hud.gov

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Southern Plains

General Description of Services: With a non-profit, did training for the Southern Plains Indian Housing Group -- talked about LEED training.

37

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family, Arizona State University (ASU)

Phone: 602-496-1460

Type of Activity: Technical Assistance

Tribes Served: Navajo

General Description of Services: ASU (and Daniel Glenn) worked with the Navajo Nation

Housing Authority in 2005 to develop a sustainable demonstration LEED house using Navajo

flexcrete and cultural design features.

38

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative, Enterprise Green Communities'

National Rural and Native American Initiative

Contact Person: Rose Marquez

Phone: 505-216-0928

Email Address: rmarquez@enterprisecommunity.org

Web Address: http://www.sustainablenativecommunities.org/Projects-Database.html

Type of Activity: Technical Assistance

Region Served: Southwest and Northwest

Tribes Served: Doing six case studies. They will provide design and planning assistance to case study teams and work with tribal developers to create and implement a long-term, sustainable

development plan. Tribes: Ohkay Owingeh, Santo Domingo, Navajo, Northwest Band of

Shoshone, Jicarilla -- sixth tribe will be added.

General Description of Services: Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative is a group of community designers, architects, development leaders and sustainability advocates who work

with communities to develop "a road map to sustainable development." They provide technical assistance with planning and development during the design phase. They focus on green

affordable housing in rural tribal communities. They are working with six tribes that have

housing developments in the design and planning stage. They will provide training in particular aspects of sustainability that tribes want to include in their construction projects. At this time, they also are doing two other projects in Indian Country -- (1) working with Indigenous

Community Enterprises, a non-profit housing developer, in Flagstaff, Arizona, on constructing

permanent supportive housing for urban Indians (Navajo) using tax credits. (2) Working with the First Nations Community Health Source in Albuquerque, New Mexico on constructing

permanent supportive housing for urban Indians. Both projects are green.

Other Information: (1) Created a green project database for tribal housing projects currently under development or recently completed in the southwest region. The database has extremely

useful descriptiojns of projects by tribe; (2) Next, will do six case studies of housing

developments that are in the design and planning stage.

39

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Travois

Contact Person: Greg Bland, Director of Travois Environmental Services

Phone: 816-994-8970

Email Address: gregb@travois.com

Web Address: http://www.travois.com/default.asp?page=about

Type of Activity: Technical Assistance

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: Red Lake, Standing Rock Sioux, San Carlos Apache, Wichita, Yavapai-Apache, Nex Perce, Menominee, and Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy.

General Description of Services: Travois is a for-profit consulting firm that provides housing and economic development services in Indian Country. Travois provides the sustainable

construction training offered by National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). Their

environmental services for tribes and TDHEs include Environmental Site Assessments by

employees qualified under ASTME 1527-05 guidelines, consulting on sustainability

improvements (solar, geothermal, biomass, biofuels, wind and other renewable and sustainable

energy sources on or near Indian reservations), inspections and testing of mold, lead, asbestos and vapor intrusion, sampling and handling of hazardous materials. They also provide technical

assistance on the Low Income Tax Credit Program.

Other Information: Subcontractor to NAIHC to deliver basic training on sustainable

construction, e.g. materials and product availability, resources, etc.

40

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Tribal Healthy Homes Project, Montana State University

Contact Person: Mike Vogel

Phone: 406-581-2432; 406-994-5417

Email Address: mvogel@montana.edu

Web Address: http://tribalhealthyhomes.org/

Type of Activity: Training and technical assistance

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: Offers training and technical assistance on existing homes.

Work nationally with all 500+ federally-recognized tribes. (1) capacity building -- enhance

tribe's capacity to conduct healthy homes assessments; (2) conduct 3-day regional training

sessions with technical assistance follow-up for tribal leaders from housing program,

environmental health program, tribal extension department and Indian Health Services. "This Center will enable tribal communities to assess homes for common indoor health hazards such as

mold and moisture, carbon monoxide, household chemicals, unsafe drinking water, lead,

asbestos, pesticides, radon, dust and dust mites, common allergens, asthma triggers, and fire and safety hazards and septic systems" (from organization Web site).

Other Information: Mike Vogel thinks that building new sustainable construction is a good fit with their current assessment training.

41

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: U.S. Department of Energy, National Tribal Energy Program Training

Workshops

Contact Person: Lizana Pierce

Phone: 303-275-4727

Web Address: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/upcoming_events.cfm

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: The Tribal Energy Program promotes tribal energy

sufficiency and fosters economic development and employment on tribal lands through the use

of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program, part of DOE's Office of

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, provides financial and technical assistance to tribes to evaluate and develop their renewable energy resources and reduce their energy consumption

through efficiency and weatherization. The program also offers education and training

opportunities to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects. The 2-day annual training covered energy efficiency and weatherization in housing as well as

renewable resources.

Other Information: They put on a big conference with the Intertribal Environmental Council in June 2011. Discussed solar, wind, photovoltaix and biomass energy. (2) Had a Tribal Roundtable

to discuss issues of environmental quality in Indian Country. The Tribal Energy Program is small but it is flexible enough to provide training based on need. The program has focused mostly on

renewable energy. The Tribal Energy Program has funded feasibility and other studies with

tribes for years.

42

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and

Development

Web Address:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/training/web/energy/help/courses.cfm

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: Resource to annual conferences including sustainable

construction training. A list of energy efficiency courses and conferences offered by agencies

external to HUD can be found on the HUD Community Planning and Development Web site.

43

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Phone: 800-795-1747

Web Address: http://www.usgbc.org

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a

generation. They focus on the certification process for LEED building, and develop all the rating systems that buildings use to go through the LEED certification process. "Leadership in Energy

& Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community is environmentally

responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work... USGBC is the source for LEED

and green building knowledge – whether a professional is preparing for a LEED exam,

maintaining their credential, seeking support while working on a LEED project, or simply

looking to expand their LEED and green building knowledge. With the most innovative and

highest-quality LEED and green building knowledge and training, a USGBC education helps

green building professionals across all market sectors build the capacity to build their careers."

(USGBC Web site). The Green Building Council provides lots or workshops, webinars and

online courses. Participants learn how to become LEED accredited professionals, and also how

to do LEED-certified projects.

Does not have any tribal focus.

44

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), School of Architecture

Contact Person: Lynne Dearborn or Kevin Hinders

Email Address: dearborn@illinois.edu

Type of Activity: Technical Assistance

Tribes Served: Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians

General Description of Services: UIUC provided design expertise to assist the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians in realizing their vision of sustainability in single family homes and prototypes for construction.

45

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: University of Wisconsin at Madison

Contact Person: Sue D. Thering

Phone: 608-263-6506

Email Address: SAThering@wisc.edu

Type of Activity: Training

Region Served: Eastern/Woodlands

General Description of Services: Sue Thering, University of Wisconsin, has a Cooperative Extension Program. She pulls teams together to deliver training in sustainable construction.

46

Training and Technical Assistance

Organization: Washington State, Department of Commerce

Contact Person: Eunice Herron, Tribal Weatherization Project

Phone: 360-725-5083

Email Address: eunice.herron@commerce.wa.gov

Web Address: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/506/default.aspx

Type of Activity: Funding and training

Region Served: Washington

General Description of Services: Funding, training and oversight of weatherization, energy audits, and training of tribal staff to do assessments and weatherization.

47

ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING FUNDING

FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIAN COUNTRY

JULY 18, 2011

Organization: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)

Contact Person: Mimi Burbage, Energy Specialist ; Scott Waterman, Energy Specialist

Phone: 907-330-8192 (Mimi); 907-330-8195 (Scott)

Email Address: mburbage@ahfc.us; swaterma@ahfc.us

Web Address: http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: AHFC is a self-supporting public corporation with offices in 16 communities statewide. It provides free classes for potential homebuyers and statewide

financing for multi-family complexes, congregate facilities, and single-family homes, with

special loans for first-time home buyers, low- and moderate-income borrowers, veterans,

teachers, nurses, public safety officers, and those living in rural areas of the state. AHFC also provides energy and weatherization programs, low-income rental assistance in 17 communities,

and special programs for the homeless. According to David Vought, they are a "very significant housing partner throughout the state.

48

Funding

Organization: Alaska ONAP

Contact Person: David Vought

Phone: 907-677-9862

Email Address: david.vought@hud.gov

Type of Activity: Funding and partnering

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: Developed two demonstration homes that are affordable,

durable and highly energy efficient. (1) Anaktuvuk Pass -- partnered with the Cold Climate

Housing Research Center (CCHRC) to build this home, which received a national ONAP award

at the Greener Home Conference. The Anaktuvuk Pass Housing Authority is working on putting

this home into production. They want to use the design to build 42 houses, beginning this

summer. (2) Native Village of Kwinhagek, which has 700 residents. There is an extreme housing

crisis in the community because one-third of the housing stock is structurally unsound because of moisture problems. They paid CCHRC $60,000 to design the home and $40,000 to manage

construction. There is detailed information on this home on CCHRC's Web site under

"sustainable northern shelter." According to the CCHRC Web site, energy costs dropped by 80

percent at the two demonstration houses. Because the two houses were built at half the cost and use 80 percent less energy, they can build a lot more of these houses.

Other Information: David especially works with Alaska native villages and small communities that are off the grid in terms of energy and transportation, so the costs of development are

extremely high, particularly in subsistence communities. There are tremendous challenges in

developing sustainable housing in Alaska because they need to reduce construction costs while

increasing the quality of housing. Houses have to be highly energy efficient so people can afford to live in them.

49

Funding

Organization: Bonneville Power Administration

Contact Person: Nathan Dexter, Tribal Affairs Manager

Phone: 503-230-7306

Email Address: nldexter@bpa.gov

Web Address: http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/About_BPA/tribes/

Type of Activity: Funding, training and technical asistance

Region Served: Northwest

Tribes Served: Colville, Coeur d'Alene, Kalispel, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Spokane, Umatilla, Upper Columbia United Tribes, Warm Springs, Yakama, Blackfeet, Burns Paiute, Ft.

McDermitt, Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Shoshone Bannock, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes,

Cedarville, Chehalis, Confederated Coos Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw, Coquille, Cow Creek,

Cowlitz, Ft. Bidwell, Grand Ronde, Hoh, Jamestown S’Klallam, Klamath, Lower Elwha,

Lummi, Makah, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Nooksack, Pit River, Port Gamble S’Klallam,

Puyallup, Quileute, Quinault, Samish, Sauk-Suiattle, Siletz, Shoalwater Bay, Skokomish,

Snoqualmie, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Te-Moak of Western

Shoshone, Tulalip, Upper Skagit

General Description of Services: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has a Tribal Energy Group that provides training and funding for energy audits and whole house assessments. They

work with Tribes in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. The local power company has to be

affiliated with Bonneville in order for the community to receive training and/or funds.

Other Information: BPA, a nonprofit federal agency, has two types of programs. It funds

energy efficiency measures through its public utilities. The public utilities select projects in their service areas. There are also set asides for low-income weatherization projects for tribes. This was how the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe installed ductless heat pumps in 30 percent of their

housing units. These were installed by the Clallam power utility district. It was so popular that the tribe funded the installation of additional units through its general fund.

50

Funding

Organization: Denali Commision (The)

Contact Person: Karen Johnson, Program Manager

Phone: 907-271-3036

Email Address: karenj@denali.gov

Web Address: http://www.denali.gov

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: Alaska

General Description of Services: The Denali Commission has placed job training at the center of its comprehensive plan for economic growth in Alaska. In just a few short years, the

Commission has made significant strides in assisting rural communities with their workforce

development needs. As the Commission funds projects for new clinics, roads, and tank farms, it

also builds sustainability into those projects by providing training for local residents to maintain and operate the new facilities.

Other Information: Introduced by Congress in 1998, the Denali Commission is an independent federal agency designed to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic support

throughout Alaska. With the creation of the Denali Commission, Congress acknowledged the

need for increased inter-agency cooperation and focus on Alaska's remote communities. Since its first meeting in April 1999, the Commission is credited with providing numerous cost-shared

infrastructure projects across the State that exemplify effective and efficient partnership between federal and state agencies, and the private sector. Under "project database" on their Web site, can click on the State of Alaska icon to view an interactive map of all Denali Commission

projects by funding year, location, and program area.

51

Funding

Organization: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

Web Address: http://www.dsireusa.org/

Type of Activity: Funding

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: Project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), DSIRE provides searchable information on national, state, and local utility incentives and rebates for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Entries can be separated into residential and commercial. There are no tribal specific searches, but tribes may qualify for state or local utility company incentives.

52

Funding

Organization: Enterprise Community Partners, an initiative of Enterprise Green Communities Contact Person: Trisha Miller, Director

Phone: 410-964-1230

Web Address: http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/grants/

Type of Activity: Funding

General Description of Services: Provides funds and expertise to enable affordable housing developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient, and better for the environment. In addition to loans and other funding options, Green Communities offers

Charrette and Sustainability grants to help cover the costs of planning and implementing green

components of affordable housing developments, as well as tracking their costs and benefits.

53

Funding

Organization: Enterprise Green Communities, National Rural and Native American Initiative Contact Person: Rose Marquez

Phone: 505-216-0928

Email Address: rmarquez@enterprisecommunity.org

Type of Activity: Funding and training

General Description of Services: The National Rural and Native American Initiative funded the Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative. Some of their other rural projects (like Chuska

Apartments in Gallup, NM), may benefit Native Americans, but are not developed with tribes.

They conduct some training sessions at conferences.

54

Funding

Organization: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Regions 8 and 9

Contact Person: Michelle Baker, EPA Region 9; Alfreda Mitre, EPA Region 8

Phone: 415-972-3206

Email Address: baker.michelle@epa.gov

Web Address: http://www.epa.gov/region4/recycle/green-building-toolkit.pdf

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: EPA Region 9 provides grants for pilot projects. They have developed a training workshop, fostered partnerships with other federal agencies such as HUD

and DOT, and coordinated with non- governmental agencies such as Green Building Council.

They work to respect tribal sovereignty and support tribal vision for sustainable construction.

They have developed a Sustainable Design and Green Building Toolkit that is available for

download from the Web. Region 8 has partnered with HUD to provide training on Green

Building Codes.

55

Funding

Organization: Greater Minnesota Housing Fund

Contact Person: Janne Flistrand

Web Address: www.mngreencommunities.org/about/index.htm

Type of Activity: Funding and technical assistance

Region Served: Minnesota

General Description of Services: Green charettes and technical assistance to Minnesota

projects.

56

Funding

Organization: Indigenous Communities Enterprises (ICE)

Contact Person:

Phone: 928-522-6162

Web Address: http://www.franke.nau.edu/ice/

Type of Activity: Funding

Region Served: Southwest

Tribes Served: Navajo

General Description of Services: ICE was created in 2001 as a non-profit organization that specializes in providing affordable and culturally appropriate housing for low-income elders and single families in the Navajo Nation area. ICE utilizes NAHASDA grants. These federal funds

are restricted to low- to moderate-income families. Clients are required to provide additional

funds to match ICE NAHASDA funds. ICE collaborates with Navajo Partnership for Housing

(NPH). NPH conducts client financial assessments. These assessments help to determine the loan

amount and the type of home the client qualifies for. ICE also collaborates with other entities such as USDA Rural Development, Navajo Nation Chapters and Veterans Affairs, etc. These

entities have their own clients with funding sources that can be matched with ICE NAHASDA

funds for new home construction. They refer their clients to ICE for collaboration.

Other Information: Ongoing Straw Bale project and work with the U.S. Forest Service, using small diameter ponderosa logs to make traditional hogans.

57

Funding

Organization: Native American Housing Services (NAHS)

Contact Person: Sharon Wise

Phone: 405-990-0066

Type of Activity: Funding, technical assistance and can put trainings together

General Description of Services: (1) Sharon doesn't do training but she knows who can, and she can put trainings together. (2) She is a certified CDHO. (3) Her organization administers

HOME funds, tax credits and leveraging. Based on mission, works with other groups to develop

affordable housing. (4) Specifically, according to NAHS' mission statement, they provide

technical assistance to TDHEs to strengthen organizational and individual capacity; create

Homebuyer Education curriculum; and provide property management and "lease to own"

programs to create avenues to homeownership.

Other Information: Based on the mission statement, they may not do training in sustainable construction; however, they help put together and fund affordable housing projects and do

homebuyer education.

58

Funding

Organization: Rural Community Innovations (RCI)

Contact Person: Michael Utter, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 406-587-0783

Email Address: michael@rci-usa.org

Web Address: http://www.rci-usa.org/index.html

Type of Activity: Training and funding

General Description of Services: Non-profit organization that provides solar, wind and waste energy development, and grant funding at the community level, not necessarily the individual

residential level.

59

Funding

Organization: U.S. Department of Energy, National Tribal Energy Program Training

Workshops

Contact Person: Lizana Pierce

Phone: 303-275-4727

Web Address: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/upcoming_events.cfm

Type of Activity: Training and funding

Region Served: National

Tribes Served: All

General Description of Services: The Tribal Energy Program promotes tribal energy

sufficiency and fosters economic development and employment on tribal lands through the use

of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program, part of DOE's Office of

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, provides financial and technical assistance to tribes to evaluate and develop their renewable energy resources and reduce their energy consumption

through efficiency and weatherization. The program also offers education and training

opportunities to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects. The 2-day annual training covered energy efficiency and weatherization in housing as well as

renewable resources.

Other Information: (1) Put on a big conference with the Intertribal Environmental Council in June 2011. Discussed solar, wind, photovoltaix and biomass energy. (2) Had a Tribal Roundtable

to discuss issues of environmental quality in Indian Country. The Tribal Energy Program is small but it is flexible enough to provide training based on need. The program has focused mostly on

renewable energy. The Tribal Energy Program has funded feasibility and other studies with

tribes for years.

60

Funding

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Housing and Community

Facilities Programs (HCFP)

Phone: Housing programs national office: 202-720-4581

Web Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_Loans.html

Type of Activity: Funding and technical assistance

Region Served: National

General Description of Services: Housing and Community Facilities Programs helps rural

communities and individuals by providing loans and grants for housing and community facilities.

Provide funding for single family homes and apartments for low-income persons or the elderly.

In partnership with non-profits, Indian tribes, state and federal government agencies and local communities, HCFP creates packages of technical assistance and loan and grant funds to assist

more rural communities and individuals. More specifically, they offer loans and grants to

provide homeownership opportunities, and they finance improvements to make homes decent,

safe and sanitary. They also have residential energy programs.

61

Funding

Organization: Washington State, Department of Commerce

Contact Person: Eunice Herron, Tribal Weatherization Project

Phone: 360-725-5083

Email Address: eunice.herron@commerce.wa.gov

Web Address: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/506/default.aspx

Type of Activity: Funding and training

Region Served: Washington

General Description of Services: Funding, training and oversight of weatherization, energy audits, and training of tribal staff to do assessments and weatherization.

62

Projects

INDIAN TRIBES WITH SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

JULY 21, 2011

Tribe: Aleut Corporation

Contact: Dan Duame, Executive Director, Aleutian Housing Authority

520 East 32nd Ave., Anchorage, AK 99503

P: 907-563-2146 (work); 907-441-9313 (cell)

email: dan.duame@aleutian-housing.com

Project Description: Sponsoring the Aleutian Living Home competition. Also completing Alaska Housing Finance Corporation professional single-family home and completion of another single family home in the Nelson Lagoon.

63

Projects

Tribe: Anaktuvuk Pass Village

Contact: Jack Hebert, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, 907-457-3454

P: Nunamiut Corporation 907-661-3220; Village of Anaktuvuk Pass 907-661-2575

Project Description: With Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC), built affordable,

durable and highly energy efficient demonstration home. It received a national ONAP award at

the Greener Home Conference. The Tagiugmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority is working on

putting this house into production. They want to use the design to build 42 houses, beginning

this summer. There is detailed information on this home on CCHRC's Web site

(http://www.cchrc.org) under "sustainable northern shelter."

Timeline: June-July 2009

Contractors: CCHRC

Other Information: Part of Sustainable Northern Communities Program, which focuses on green building.

64

Projects

Tribe: Bishop Paiute Tribe

Contact: Robert Vance, Executive Director, Community Development Office

270 N. See Vee Lane, Suite 5, Bishop, CA 93514

P: 760-872-4172

Project Description: Production and use of Structurally Insulated Panels. The panels are constructed offsite in a protected environment and then moved to the building site. They are incorporating as many energy saving methods as possible. Under current construction is a housing site with six two-story, four-plex buildings, two- and three-bedroom apartments, a meeting room, laundry facilities, a basketball court and a fenced playground. There will be some handicapped-accessible apartments. The apartments are intended for low- to moderate -income tribal members.

65

Projects

Tribe: Coeur D'Alene

Contact: Tim Negri, Facilities Construction Director, Coeur D'Alene Housing Authority

850 A Street, Plummer, ID 83851

P: 208-686-1600

Project Description: The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho has received a $500,000 Indian Community Block Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The tribe will use the money to renovate and install energy-saving upgrades and rehabilitate 35 rental homes. The new family housing development is called the Gathering Place. The 20-unit subdivision, which is located off Agency Road near the old tribal headquarters, uses straw bale construction techniques (which is a "green" building method) built with native workforce.

Funding Source: ARRA, Indian Community Block Grant from HUD

Amount: $2,000,000 ARRA Competitive; $500,000 ICDBG

66

Projects

Tribe: Colville Indian Tribe

Contact: Elena Bassett, Executive Director, Colville Indian Housing Authority

P. O. Box 528, Nespelem, WA 99155

P: 509-634-2162

email: Elena.bassett@colvilletribes.com

Project Description: Inchelium, WA: Constructed 27 single-family homes and a community building.

The construction incorporated passive solar design, surface water management, reduced heat-island effect, and included a walkable neighborhood and construction waste management

Funding Source: $3 million in stimulus funds, $7 million project cost. The remaining financing came through a complicated investment tax credit program with Key Bank as the principal participant.

Amount: $877,253 ARRA Formula; $3,000,000 ARRA Competitive; $240,000 AHP Grant; $1,500,000

LIHTC; $1,625,000 IHBG

Timeline: Project opened June 1, 2011 and took 18 months to complete

Other Information: The low-income housing project has homes in the $160,000 to $180,000 range.

Twenty of the units will be rentals, with four units going to qualified owners. Three units will be used to house professional staff who work on the reservation. Qualified tribal members will pay rental fees based on their incomes.

67

Projects

Tribe: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Contact: Sami Jo Difuntorum, Executive Director, Tribal Housing Department

555 Tolowa Court, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380

P: 541-444-8312

email: samijod@ctsi.nsn.us

Project Description: Siletz Tribal Energy Program (STEP): The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians was awarded a grant in the fall of 2009 from the Administration for Native Americans to create an energy management program. Tribal staff are working with federal, state, and local partners, tribal member partners and others to learn about and implement the conservation of natural resources. They are providing education and assistance for home weatherization, energy conservation and lead poisoning prevention.

68

Projects

Tribe: Coos Bay Confederated Tribes

Contact: Linda Malcomb, Tribal Housing Department

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

1245 Fulton Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420

P: 541-888-7510

email: lmalcomb@ctclusi.org

Project Description: Qaxas Heights: Construction of 17 new units and rehabilitation of 3 units using green and energy efficient features. Construction incorporated solar tubes and sun tunnels for each unit to maximize the use of natural sunlight and reduce use of electricity; reuse of maple wood flooring from the Coos Head Naval facility gym; high efficiency water heaters (compact, tankless water heater provides instant hot water and lower energy bills); insulated house wrap installed under siding which prevents energy loss through walls; insulated hot water pipes; energy efficient household appliances and Low-E

double paned windows.

Funding Source: ARRA, IHBG, USDA/RBEG

Amount: $280,824 ARRA Formula; $1,998,800 ARRA Competitive; $500,000 IHBG; $200,000

USDA/RBEG

69

Projects

Tribe: Cowlitz Tribe

Contact: Jerry Hause, Weatherization Manager, Cowlitz Tribe

P.O. Box 2547, Longview, WA 98632

P: 360-864-7002 or 360-864-8720 ext. 102

email: jhause@toledotel.com

Project Description: The Cowlitz Indian Tribal Weatherization Assistance Program provides energy savings measures to help conserve energy and save on electricity and heating costs. The program will insulate walls, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces; weather strip, caulk and seal windows and doors; install ventilation fans in kitchens and bathrooms; replace windows and doors; replace refrigerators and water heaters; and fix or replace heating source.

70

Projects

Tribe: Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

Contact: Ms. Amy Wicklund, Economic Development Planner

1720 Big Lake Road, Cloquet, MN 55720

P: 218-878-2631

email: AmyWicklund@FDLRez.com

Project Description: (1) Built 24 units, including an apartment building, 2 townhomes and a small community building. The units are senior supportive housing, which includes both housing and social services. They used the Minnesota Green Building Communities standards. (2) Completing a 10-unit assisted living building for elders which meets Minnesota Green Building Communities standards. Green features include: energy efficient buildings that exceed HERS minimum requirements; Energy Star rated appliances, HVAC equipment and light fixtures; low VOC adhesive and sealants; insulated cold water piping; concrete slabs on grade with a vapor barrier; and Green Label flooring of hard surface marloleum to reduce dust and mold.

Funding Source: (1)Minnesota Green Communities and approximately 15 other funding sources; (2) ARRA competitive grant

Timeline: (1)Opened July 1, 2010; (2) Opening August 1, 2011

Contractors: (1)Architect: DSGW; Contractor: Shingobee; (2) Architect: DSGW; used different contractor than (1)

71

Projects

Tribe: Isleta Pueblo

Contact: Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority, Po Box 1290 Isleta NM, 87022

P: 505-869-4153

Project Description: Lava Rock construction is done on site.

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2010/08/23/story4.html

Edward P. Torres recently left as executive director.

72

Projects

Tribe: Jicarilla Apache

Contact: Ronald Garcia, Planning Development Coordinator

42 Hawks Drive, Dulce, NM 87528

P: 575-759-3459

Project Description: Building 10 homes. They will be Energy Star rated manufactured housing. These are high performance building envelopes using water conservation methods such as low flow plumbing fixtures and rain water harvesting.

73

Projects

Tribe: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Contact: Ken Harrington, Tribal Chairman

7500 Odawa Circle, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

P: 231-242-1400

Project Description: LEED for Homes Gold certified multifamily project in Michigan. Uses ICF, recycled cellulose insulation at high density, Low E-windows, CFLs, high efficiency heat pumps and water heaters, and rain gardens.

Funding Source: ARRA, Tribal Funds, BIA

74

Projects

Tribe: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Contact: John Williamson, Director, Lower Elwha Housing Authority

2851 Lower Elwha Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363

P: 360-457-5116 ext. 304

Project Description: Installed ductless heat pumps in existing housing with a grant from the Department of Energy and Clallam County Public Utility District. Forty-two heat pumps were installed under the grant but the program has been so popular that the Tribe has funded an additional 15 installations. About one-third of tribal homes now have the heat pumps.

Funding Source: Department of Energy and Clallam County Public Utility District

75

Projects

Tribe: Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

Contact: Celen Pasalar, PhD

NC State University, College of Design, Campus Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701

P: 919-515-8952

email: celen_pasalar@ncsu.edu

Project Description: North Carolina State University's College of Design, Laboratory for the Design of Healthy and Sustainable Communities, developed Lumbee home design guidelines and designed three prototype houses as part of the Home Environments Design Initiative. The partnership has produced a set of home design guidelines and four prototype home designs. Six Lumbee Home Designs are now under construction or complete.

Other Information: http://www.ncsu.edu/extension/engaging_with_comm-1.html

76

Projects

Tribe: Lummi Nation

Contact: Diana Phair, Executive Director, Lummi Nation Housing Authority

2828 Kwina Road, Bldg. X, Bellingham, WA 98226

P: 360-312-8407

Project Description: The Evergreen Standard requires all Tribes in Washington to incorporate sustainable activities into their construction. This tribe is on the list because they actually had very quick turn around with their ARRA funds. Kwina Village construction included 72 multi-family units and a community building.

Funding Source: ARRA, IHBG, Community Center built by youth apprenticeship

Amount: $7,000,000; $1.2 million Department of Labor (DOL) YouthBuild Grant provides salary and hands-on construction training.

77

Projects

Tribe: Makah Tribe

Contact: Wendy Lawrence, Executive Director, Makah Housing Authority

PO Box 115, Neah Bay, WA 98357

P: 360-645-2864

Project Description: The Sail River Heights project is in the planning/pre-construction stage for nine charettes.

Funding Source: Some HUD funding and Washington State Funding

78

Projects

Tribe: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

Contact: Betty Jo Wozniak, Director, Menominee Indian Tribe Housing Department

Day Care Road, PO BOX 910, Keshena, WI 54135

P: 715-799-3236 ext. 1516

email: bwozniak@mitw.org

Project Description: The Tribe is planning a sustainability redevelopment of approximately 300 units.

79

Projects

Tribe: Mescalero Apache

Contact: Timothy E. Horan, Executive Director, Mescalero Apache Housing Authority

101 Central, P.O. Box 227, Mescalero, NM

P: 505-464-9235

Project Description: The tribe built a new community called I-Sah'-din-dii, which was designed and constructed to reduce impact on the environment. The project is a 30 unit, green, single-family subdivision for very low-income families. The subdivision will have a community center and childcare, employment and health services. The project utilized passive solar and lighting, is energy efficient, utilizes water conservation methods, and materials designed to improve indoor air quality. Specifically, the project's features include rainwater collection, energy-efficient windows, doors and appliances, low-impact building materials and solar placement.

Funding Source: New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority provided tax credits and other funds, and the tribe used IHBG funds

Timeline: Broke ground July 2008; project has been completed

80

Projects

Tribe: Native Village of Kwinhagak

Contact: Jack Ebert, Cold Climate Housing Research Center

P: 907-457-3454

Project Description: Native Village of Kwinhagek has 700 residents. There is an extreme housing crisis in the community because one-third of the housing stock is structurally unsound because of moisture problems. They paid Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) $60,000 to design the home and $40,000 to manage construction. There is detailed information on this home on CCHRC's Web site (http://www.cchrc.org) under "sustainable northern shelter."

Amount: Targeted cost of $220,000

Timeline: Started in September 2010

Contractors: CCHRC designed the home and managed the construction.

Other Information: Part of Sustainable Northern Communities Program, which focuses on green building.

81

Projects

Tribe: Navajo

Contact: Aneva J. Yazzie, CEO

P.O. Box 4980, Window Rock, AZ 86515

P: 928-871-2600

Project Description:

(1) Constructing permanent supportive housing for urban Indians in Flagstaff, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Use of FlexCrete Building Systems. Navajo Housing Authority has identified new

construction being done with ARRA funds and housing will be LEED certified.

(2) The Nageezi House is the Stardust Center's first Affordable and Sustainable Demonstration Home. It is featured in Global Green USA's Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing (Island Press, 2007), and was selected as part of the regional LEED for Homes Pilot program. The home was completed in July 2005. The family's dilapidated home was demolished and the new home was rebuilt on the original slab.

Navajo students in the ASU College of Design were an integral part of the design and construction of the home, and the effort evolved into a partnership between the Stardust Center, the Navajo Housing Authority and Navajo FlexCrete. The home's innovative design reflects the traditional structures of the Navajo, including the hooghan (home) and the chahash'oh (shade structure), The Stardust Center

monitored the house for one year to determine its thermal performance. Overall, the home exceeded performance predictions, demonstrating a 60% reduction in energy use compared to a conventionally-constructed house of the same size.

Funding Source: (2) Demonstration house: volunteer labor and donated materials

Contractors:

(1) Jonathan Robertson, CEO, Flex Crete Building Systems. http://www.navajoflexcrete.biz

(2) Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family, Arizona State University, 234 N. Central Avenue, Suite 9401, Phoenix, AZ 85004-2510 p: 602-496-1469

Other Information: The Stardust Center is working with the Navajo Housing Authority to develop production versions of the Nageezi House for construction across the reservation.

82

Projects

Tribe: Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation

Contact: Jon Warner, Executive Director, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Housing Authority 707 N. Main Street, Brigham City, UT 84302

P: 435-723-3013

email: jondsho@yahoo.com

Project Description: Rehabbed 9 units, 3 of which ensured compliance with American with Disabilities Act. Rehabbed units are Energy Star certified for windows, exterior doors, storm doors, storm windows and window film, programmable thermostats and Energy Star rated appliances

83

Projects

Tribe: Oglala Sioux, Pine Ridge, North Dakota

Contact: Nick Tilsen, Executive Director, Thunder Valley CDC

P.O. Box 290, Porcupine, SD 57772

P: 605-455-2700

email: nick@thundervalley.org

Project Description: As part of HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation received a HUD Sustainable Communities Grant.

Thunder Valley has a community development project which will include a sustainable housing sector.

These homeownership units will be built with renewable energy practices and use the natural elements support heating and cooling. The neighborhoods will be designed with sidewalks, bike paths, small parks and outdoor community spaces for people to gather. The majority of these homes will be three to four bedroom homes sitting on an acre or half-acre of property. Once the lots are created, they will be able to use new types of lending like the Wells Fargo Native American lending program (which uses a BIA 184

guaranteed loan). This type of lending has been successful on Pine Ridge, but many families are lacking the land to build their homes.

Funding Source: HUD grant to support more livable and sustainable communities; ARRA.

Amount: $996,100, which will be used to create a regional plan for sustainable development for Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Other Information: Construction of 18 units for low income families using Energy Star rated appliances and products.

84

Projects

Tribe: Ohkay Owingeh

Contact: Daryl Woolems, Project Manager

P.O. Box 1059, Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566

P: 505-852-0189

Project Description: This is a rehabilitation project within the historic core at the Pueblo established centuries ago. A historic preservation plan was developed with the Housing Authority Cultural Advisory Team and Tribal Council. The renovation work includes indigenous materials such as adobe and mud plaster. Construction is now underway for 21 homes.

Other Information: http://ohkayowingehhousingauthority.org/index.html

85

Projects

Tribe: Penobscot Nation

Contact: Craig Sanborn, Director Penobscot Indian Nation Housing Authority

6 River Road, Indian Island, ME 04468

P: 207-827-7776 or 207-817-7372

email: Craig.Sanborn@Penobscotnation.org

Project Description: 12 LEED certified single-family homeownership units.

86

Projects

Tribe: Pinoleville Pomo Nation

Contact: Ryan Shelby, Scholar, UC-Berkeley

450 Sutardja Dai Hall, Mail Box #17, Berkeley, CA 94720

P: 510-761-6192

email: ryan_shelby@berkeley.edu

Project Description: Native Community Assessment of Renewable Energy & Sustainability (CARES) is housed at Berkeley University. They partnered with Pinoleville Pomo Nation on a co-design project.

Funding Source: NativeCARES

87

Projects

Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Contact: Mark Parrish, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

P: 269-782-9602

email: mark.parrish@pokagonband-nsn.gov

Project Description: Pokagonek Edawat is part of a master plan for the Band for creating a sustainable community. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign worked with the Pokagon Band of the

Potawatomi Indians in 2006-2007 to develop 16 single family homes and prototypes for construction. The sustainable buildings were designed to be energy efficient and healthy using passive systems,

environmentally friendly materials, and strategies to improve indoor air quality.

Other Information: http://www.semcog.org/Data/lid.report.cfm?lid=132

http://www.sustainabledevelopmentinstitute.org/TribalGreenDesign/GreenDesignPDF/PokagonbandPota

watomi.pdf

88

Projects

Tribe: Puyallup Tribe

Contact: Annette Bryan, Executive Director of Puyullap Tribal Housing Authority

2806 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404

P: 253-573-7956

Project Description: Constructing 20 housing units, community building and longhouse using solar hot water and photovoltaic panels, high energy efficient heating systems, Energy Star appliances, low flow faucets and showerheads, hiqh quality windows and wildlife habitat awareness and natural landscaping.

LEED Gold/Platinum certification. The longhouse project is the first tribal building to be certified LEED

Platinum – a very challenging certification to achieve. In order to qualify for this high standard, the housing project is using Styrofoam insulated wall panels, geothermic ground-sourced heating and all locally created products and services.

Funding Source: ARRA, IHBG

Amount: $883,573 ARRA Formula; $3,000,000 ARRA Competitive; $1,200,000 IHBG

Timeline: Site work and construction began in October, 2010. More than halfway completed in mid-June, 2011

Contractors: Keeping employment in-house through TERO, which is Tribal Employment Rights Office, and the Puyallup Tribal Housing Authority. This means that a lot of Native Americans are working on this project and being trained in the construction field.

Other Information: The first phase of the longhouse project includes construction of 10 housing units, upgrades to the existing gymnasium, and installation of an outdoor cultural dancing circle and

playground. Five of the units are one-story, one-bedroom units, and the other five are two-story, two-bedroom units, catering to individuals, couples and small families in need of affordable housing. The second phase of the longhouse project will include construction of another 10-unit building for individuals and small families, as well as renovations and weatherization upgrades to the existing 27-unit Northeast Tacoma apartment complex. Currently working on grant funding for phase two, which could start as soon as the next fiscal year.

“We want the two projects to match each other and be visually pleasant, but weatherization and energy efficiency is the primary focus.” Annette Bryan, Executive Director of PTHA.

89

Projects

Tribe: Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

Contact: Jane Barrett, Executive Director, Red Lake Housing Authority

P.O. Box 219 Highway 1 East, Red Lake, MN 56671

P: 218-679-3368

Project Description: The Tribe’s Division of Energy contracts with Ashland County Housing Authority to provide basic weatherization services to eligible households. The Tribe also has constructed green housing using innovative techniques.

90

Projects

Tribe: Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Contact: Joni Talentino, Director, Sault Ste. Marie Housing Authority

154 Parkside, Kincheloe, MI 49788

P: 906-495-1454 (work), 906-440-4191 (cell)

email: JRTalentino@SaultTribe.net

Project Description: Housing Rehabilitation

“’The home upgrades will include the installation of new Energy Star rated windows, high efficient furnaces/boilers, water heaters, vinyl siding and exterior doors. These improvements will greatly reduce the heating costs for tribal residents and prolong the useful life of the homes,’ said Talentino”

http://www.sooeveningnews.com/news/x2084232057/HUD-officers-tour-tribal-housing-in-Eastern-U-P

Funding Source: ARRA

91

Projects

Tribe: Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi, Rosebud Sioux

Contact: Amos Prue, CEO, Rosebud Tribal Housing

P.O. Box 69, Rosebud, SD 57570

P: 605-747-2203

email: rstha@gwtc.net

Project Description: Installed 100 solar panels on individual homes on reservation.

Funding Source: The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is being provided funds to support the Solar Heat Panel Installation Training Project #2 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Amount: $337,111

Timeline: Awarded 11/30/2009; as of 3/30/2011, project is less than 50% completed. The project has been operating at a slow pace due to the number of price quotes that are needed before

supplies/equipment can be purchased.

Contractors: New personnel were hired to complete the installation of the solar panels; the new hires also completed the following training: carpentry, electrical, customer service, equipment inventory, and data reporting. Jobs created: 10-Solar Panel installation certified trainees: install solar panels on pre-selected homes within the Rosebud Reservation.

92

Projects

Tribe: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Contact: Barrett Schmanska, Executive Director, Port Gamble Housing Authority

32000 Little Boston Road NE, Kingston, WA 98346

P: 360-297-6226

Project Description: Built new Teekalet neighborhood, located next to Little Boston Creek, which feeds into Port Gamble Bay. Project includes 15 single-family homes, two apartments and a community center.

Exterior design includes a series of rain gardens and filtration systems throughout the property as well as pervious pavers in the parking areas. These measures significantly limit the amount of stormwater runoff that can reach the Creek. The same environmental concerns drove the interior design: solar shades are fitted to heat the homes in the winter and keep them cool in the summer. Every unit has energy efficient lighting and appliances. Teekalet meets Washington State's Evergreen Sustainable Development

standards for affordable housing.

Funding Source: Worked with the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, HUD, Indian Housing Block Grant Program and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on grants for funding

Timeline: 2009-March, 2011

Contractors: For aspects of the design, Tribe's Natural Resources department worked with civil engineer Ahmis Loving, PE of Seattle. Tormod Hellwig Architects designed the project and J.M. Grinnell

Contracts did the construction, in consultation with the Tribe's Teekalet Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Other Information: Goal was that Teekalet would not adversely affect the land, wildlife, or water quality of Port Gamble Bay. Teekalet Housing Development was designed to be an ecologically‐ and financially‐friendly alternative for low‐to‐middle income S'Klallam Tribal residents. A dedication ceremony occurred on March 3, 2011.

93

Projects

Tribe: Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

Contact: Sylvester Joe Barbry, Director, Tunica-Biloxi Housing Authority

151 Melacon Drive, Marksville, LA 71351

P: 888-242-3115 or 318-253-9767

email: jbarbry@tunica.org

Project Description: Their housing code requires that all new housing on reservation must be renewable.

For example, they use solar panels and Polaris for roofing because it has foil to radiate heat out of the house. On February 26, 2009, HUD staff from the Southern Plains Office of Native American programs attended the Grand Opening of a "solar home" constructed by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in Marksville, Louisiana. This cutting edge green construction project integrates energy-smart features. The home's construction incorporates energy efficient building materials such as 2 x 6 framing and a heat-barrier membrane along with renewable energy technology including solar panels (made of a hail resistant material to prevent damage and are designed to withstand winds in excess of 100 mph) and a solar water heater (sunlight strikes and heats an "absorber" surface within a "solar collector"). Heated water is stored in a separate preheat tank or a conventional water heater tank until needed. Roof-mounted solar panels are the primary source of electricity for the home, which will cut the monthly electricity bill from $120 to about $30, according to Sylvester "Joe" Barbry, the tribe's housing authority director. If the panels generate excess electricity, this power is returned to the power grid and may reduce the energy bill further. Should the home need power beyond that produced by the panels, standard electrical service is available.

Funding Source: Solar home funded in part by Indian Housing Block Grant.

Amount: Solar home -- 3-bedroom home cost the Tribe about $115,000 to build. Once HUD assistance is included, the home will cost about $85,000 for tribal members.

Timeline: Solar home was ready February 6, 2009.

Other Information: The tribe intends to track and evaluate the performance of its first solar home and make the future homes it builds even more energy efficient. Mr. Barbry hopes to erect a new and even greener home every year.

94

Projects

Tribe: White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

Contact: Mr. Ben Bement, Human Services Director

Family Investment Center, P.O. Box 70, Naytahwaush, MN 56566

P: 218-935-5554

email: BenB@WhiteEarth.com

Project Description: Dream Catcher Homes Project. Told that this contains sustainable elements. If a development uses MN Housing Finance Agency dollars there are green standards and then a MN Housing green overlay criteria that the development will have to meet.

http://documents.csh.org/documents/mn/A4-DreamCatcherHomes%20MN.pdf

95

Projects

Tribe: Wichita Tribe

Contact: Mr. Ben Hatfied, Executive Director, Wichita Housing Authority

1 Coronado Circle, Anadarko, OK 73005

P: 405-247-7470

email: wichitahousing@suddenlinkmail.com

Project Description: The Tribe just completed a sustainable housing project. They have designed neighborhoods using sustainable techniques.

 http://www.recovery.org/projectdetails.aspx?pid=ANT:12501506&gloc=US*US (5/18/2010) Past project:

http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2490:wichita-housing-

project-earns-apex-award&catid=54&Itemid=30 (October 2009) 96

Projects

Tribe: Yerington Paiute Tribe

Contact: Mr. Jack Buchold, Tribal Manager, Yerington Paiute Tribe

171 Campbell Lane, Yerington, NV 89447

P: 775-463-3301

email: tribalmanager@ypt-nsn.gov

Project Description: The Green Native Council worked with the Tribe to build a new senior duplex.

97

Projects

Tribe: Yurok Tribe

Contact: Judith Marasco, Executive Director, Yurok Inidan Housing Authority

15540 US Hwy 101 North, Klamath CA 95548-9351

P: 707-482-1506; 800-281-4749

Project Description: Green Native Council worked with the Tribe to build new homes. In addition, the Tribe is currently working on converting two-story homes in the Klamath Townsite to be more energy efficient.

98

Projects

Tribe: Zuni Pueblo

Contact: Michael Chavez, Executive Director, Zuni Housing Authority

P.O. Box 710, Zuni Pueblo, NM 87327

P: 505-782-4550 or 505-782-4564

email: mchavez@pozha.org

Project Description: The tribe uses Quad Lock construction. They just completed several ARRA funded projects

Funding Source: ARRA, IHBG, ICDBG

99

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix B:

National Meeting Report

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix B

+

Impediments to Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

White Paper

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Initiative

January 20, 2012

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 6

FOCUS GROUP FINDINGS ......................................................................................................... 7

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS ......................................................................................................... 12

RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................. 13

SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 17

APPENDIX A: MEETING NOTES ............................................................................................. 19

APPENDIX B: ORIGINAL INVITEES ....................................................................................... 41

2

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIAN COUNTRY INITIATIVE

Impediments to Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

White Paper

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative is a congressionally mandated effort of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Policy Development

and Research (PD&R), in partnership with the HUD Office of Native American Programs

(ONAP). The initiative seeks to promote and support sustainable construction practices in Native communities. One task under this initiative was to conduct a meeting to explore impediments to

sustainable construction practices and solutions to these impediments. Participants from a

governmental, a nongovernmental, and a tribal focus group offered observations regarding

impediments to sustainable construction in Native communities. Participants in a follow-up

coordination meeting ranked the impediments associated with sustainable construction and

brainstormed about potential solutions. Appendix A offers the detailed notes from each focus

group and the analysis meeting with participants.

Working from a wide variety of impediments identified by the focus groups, these four

impediments to sustainable construction ranked most important:

• Building codes

• Costs/funding

• Capacity building

• Planning

The graphic on the next page provides a brief summary of these impediments.

3

4

Since the participants in the coordination meeting were primarily from Federal agencies, they

developed recommendations, primarily, of what Federal agencies may do to assist in resolving

these impediments. A brief summary of these recommendations follows:

Building codes

Tribes have the ability to develop building codes and standards or adapt codes such as the

International Green Construction Code to their own needs. They may not have always taken up

this opportunity because, historically, they have been excluded from Federal assistance for

building code development. Additionally, many tribes are located in rural areas, which are less likely to have existing building codes. Federal agencies can provide incentives that encourage tribes to implement green practices/meet green standards. Federal agencies are already

supporting tribes in reducing this form of barrier with their participation in the interagency Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup.

Costs/Funding

To assist tribes in making the most of funding resources and cutting costs, Federal agencies can help tribes and the housing industry move beyond a perception of cost or luxury in sustainable

housing. One strategy is to demonstrate how to calculate benefits of sustainable construction

practices and link audiences to tools, such as cost benefit analyses, that can help them develop sustainable projects most effectively. Benefit analysis tools, including free software, is available

at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/ on the Department of Energy (DOE)

Web site. Cost analyses might also be adapted to factor in social and cultural benefits of

sustainable construction, which are not traditional components of cost-benefit analyses.

Federal funding programs may be diminished, but they offer the flexibility and credibility to

leverage funds. Grants may be written to provide matches for sustainable construction activities.

Tribes are eligible to apply for a variance to go above the total development cost (TDC), the

ceiling for cost per unit construction, with Area Office approval based on the incorporation of sustainable building technologies (Notice PIH 2010-47).

Capacity building

The suggestions related to tribal capacity building focused on expanding the services provided

by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and increasing the number and capability of

community development corporations. Additional suggestions included encouraging adoption of

sustainable practices through rebates and incentives, dissemination of analyses on sustainability in other communities as adapted for tribal communities and of model tribal projects. One

suggestion was for a tribal college version of the solar decathlon, where college teams compete to build innovative, affordable houses—often rooted in their regional culture or meeting a

specific need – e.g. homes for victims of natural disasters, southern examples featuring large

porches. Additionally, Federal agencies encourage specific capacity building by incentivizing

green building in existing programs and prioritizing tribal green building in program

development and delivery.

Planning

Some funds are available to assist tribes in planning for long-term community development. The

Federal government has relationships and methods of dissemination that can inform tribes about

available planning resources and funding opportunities. Federal agencies might also partner to

5

create a tribal version of the Mayor’s Institute on City Design, a National Endowment for the

Arts initiative that helps transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the

chief urban designers of their cities.

INTRODUCTION

HUD’s Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative, administered by PD&R, in

partnership with ONAP, seeks to ensure that tribes have access to and support in using

sustainable construction practices. The initiative includes four tasks:

• Identifying Native communities that are working on sustainable construction projects.

This task was completed.

• Identifying impediments to sustainable construction practices and opportunities for

technical assistance (TA) and training for the Native communities. This task is on-going.

• Seeking demonstration projects that can be featured in best practice case studies. These

case studies will be made widely available to the Native communities, allowing others to

benefit from these best practices. This task is on-going.

• Making training available to tribal communities. This task has not begun.

This report provides a summary of the comments and recommendations of participants involved

the second task. HUD conducted a meeting exploring impediments to sustainable construction

practices and solutions to these impediments. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 2011

HUD Greener Homes National Summit.

The meetings consisted of three focus groups and a follow-up meeting to analyze focus group

findings and make recommendations. HUD invited participants to two of the focus groups: a

governmental and a nongovernmental group. The third focus group, the tribal focus group, was

open to any tribal member attending the Summit. To ensure that tribes were aware of this

opportunity, HUD conducted outreach to the regional Indian housing associations and also to the tribal communities which were award winners at the Greener Homes National Summit.

Invited representatives attended the follow-up coordination meeting. Many of these

representatives had also participated in the focus groups. As part of this meeting, participants prioritized the impediments identified by the focus group by importance based on the potential

negative impact on the development of sustainable housing in Native American communities.,

and also sorted them into impediments to residential construction in general and impediments to green construction in particular. They also brainstormed about some areas where change could

be undertaken. Appendix B contains a list of invited participants for each group.

When discussing impediments, the focus groups identified both general residential construction

process and green residential construction process impediments without distinguishing between

them. It is reasonable to assume that impediments to residential construction also will affect any green construction process. Nonetheless, to make the best use of their time, members of the

coordination meeting, separated general construction and green concerns, and focused their

discussion on the impediments to green construction.

6

Specific to green construction practices, participants across the focus groups identified the need for an increased availability of sustainable construction models adapted to tribal needs and tribal communities. This included not only providing access to case studies of tribal communities with sustainable construction projects, but also providing hands-on training and identifying model

houses that tribes can visit and examine in the field.

This report contains an executive summary of the meeting and the detailed summary and

recommendations. The appendices contain full notes from each focus group and the analysis

meeting with participant lists, and a list of invited participants for each group.

FOCUS GROUP FINDINGS

The three focus groups—governmental, nongovernmental, and tribal—received similar questions

to answer. Both the questions and their responses were influenced by their relationships to

construction projects in tribal communities—some as funding sources and grant administrators,

housing developers, housing administrators, trainers and technical assistance providers.

Discussion covered many areas, reflecting the complexity of construction in Indian Country and

its association with community development and community well-being.

Governmental Focus Group

Governmental focus group participants identified two major categories of impediments to

developing sustainable construction projects in native communities: lack of education about the benefits of green building and internal tribal impediments.

Tribal leadership and tribal members need to be educated about the long-term benefits of green

construction. While green construction is more expensive initially, it is more cost effective in the long run, over the life cycle of the homes. In addition to the energy savings, green homes can be healthier homes. Families can reduce health care costs by living in homes that are free of mold, mildew, and other health hazards – and green homes can reduce the contributing factors to those hazards. Green construction typically can be higher quality as well, so that the goal of the design and construction of the homes is to be more sustainable and longer lasting. These are important lessons to teach when working with mutual help or rental unit residents: it is difficult to gain homeowner or resident buy-in for the maintenance of energy efficient upgrades or amenities in

situations where the occupant is not paying for the upgrade or amenity. Tribes and homeowners

also need to be educated about what someone referred to as “presolarizing”: that there is a lot they can do in small steps and for little cost. They can implement relatively inexpensive options into new construction, and modify existing homes.

In addition to educating tribal leadership on the long-term benefits, a related concern that

combined both education and internal tribal impediments was that although the Native American

Housing and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) is more than 10 years old, tribes do not

always recognize the full extent of their sovereignty with regard to housing and community

development. Tribal leadership may not realize that, to promote the tribe’s own vision of

sustainable construction and reflect cultural values, the tribe could enact building codes or

conduct long-range planning beyond the requirements of the Indian Housing Plan (IHP).

7

Other impediments related to education include the perception of green housing as a want or

luxury rather than a need; issues related to planning and budgeting where Federal agencies might be able to influence change, such as looking at life cycle costs as a way to balance higher upfront costs; weighing quantity vs. quality; standardization of rules and regulations, permitting, etc.

across agencies; and need for green building codes or standards.

Another impediment to sustainable construction in Native communities is tribal capacity.

Turnover among tribal leaders and tribal staff is often high; this can necessitate multiple efforts to educate leadership about the advantages of green building and decreased housing development

as new leaders and staff may also need additional time to develop capacity. Other issues related to tribal capacity include:

• The large number and broad diversity of tribes decreases the ability of Federal agencies

to provide adequate support to tribes.

• Remoteness, especially in Alaska, means that in some cases there is no or insufficient

infrastructure for green building.

• More generally, remote housing locations increase the cost of transporting materials to

construction sites, also increasing the cost of on-site technical education, and reducing the

availability of knowledgeable contractors.

Given these impediments to developing sustainable construction projects, native communities

need location specific assistance which is not being addressed.

The most important gaps include:

• Providing more information and support to tribes in planning for and funding green

construction.

• Greater interagency collaboration and cooperation in educating tribes and providing

technical assistance in all aspects of green construction.

• Generally more and better coordination of services to tribes.

Solutions that the team came up with where Federal expertise could be utilized include:

• Increasing formal and informal interagency cooperation to promote opportunities for

tribes, incentivizing sustainability.

• In grant programs, increasing reciprocity across agency lines and regularizing

requirements.

• Creating combined funding for grant programs.

Participants also suggested promoting the White House Executive Order which allows greater

flexibility for tribes in terms of paperwork requirements. While that involves ensuring more

documents are available on-line to facilitate affordability, the other side of the equation is

bridging the digital divide to ensure that tribes have access to the Internet. The technology theme appears again when considering ways to provide training or capacity building that allow for cost-effective reach to remote communities, such as webinars. The tribal focus group later noted that, while webinars are available, some tribes may need to be walked through use of this unfamiliar

technology.

8

One suggestion that also promotes economic development and self sufficiency included

providing increased training in areas such as energy analysis and weatherization. This can

assist tribes in 1) providing green collar jobs for residents and 2) conducting their own testing for energy efficiency. Labor force training is a critical component as many communities lack the expertise/skilled labor force to make sustainable construction practices a reality. Bringing in outside labor increases construction costs.

Nongovernmental (NGO) Focus Group

Nongovernmental focus group participants identified unmet community assistance needs. These

needs fall into two basic areas: education and training, and funding. Tribes need support in

development planning and green building, especially through technical assistance that is

provided in-person and on-site. Training and TA providers cited the need for flexible, targeted, one-on-one TA from HUD and specific industry groups that can provide a type of capacity

building that regional off-site training sessions cannot. Training and technical assistance should be targeted to specific projects, and ideally the consultants/TA providers will stay with the

project until it is completed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides a similar service to

tribes in Oklahoma that allows smaller tribes to take on projects they otherwise lack capacity to perform; see sidebar page 16. In addition, a tribal community often may send only one person to a training session. That person then has the responsibility for “translat[ing] it back” to the rest of the community. In contrast, with on-site training there is an opportunity for broader, immediate tribal buy-in. Participants emphasized the importance of repeated and on-site training again

during the coordination meeting, where they noted that such training increased the likelihood of community acceptance of energy efficiency and other sustainable construction practices which

are not always priority issues.

Participants said that, if HUD doesn’t offer a specific kind of TA or training, tribes need to be allowed to pay other sources for the training and TA that they need.

Specific areas where communities need education include:

• Home maintenance

• On-site models that communities/builders can examine, information about how to build

homes, and providing house plans

• Long-term planning/master planning

• More NAHASDA training

The other major gap in community assistance is in financing. Tribes need to be educated about

the construction loans that are available, and given assistance in grant writing and throughout the application process. Tribes also need technical assistance in how to leverage funding sources.

Consistent with the above needs, NGO participants’ suggestions about what Federal agencies can

do to support them in helping tribes implement sustainable construction generally focused on

funding. Participants want the Federal government to provide:

• More funding for all phases of green construction, including matching grants.

• Federal and private partnerships to develop creative funding.

9

• Money from veteran’s agencies, labor departments, etc. for employing construction

workers.

• Directing funding toward self-sufficiency (sweat equity, self-help training).

• Create pilot/demonstration projects with project evaluation/testing to provide technical

data on payback, savings, etc.

• Setting aside money for tribes rather than making them get funding through their State or

municipality.

In addition, participants reiterated the importance of helping tribes get funding and of building local capacity to fund projects. One way to do this is for Federal agencies provide a TA person like a Community Builder to assist tribes with developing local capacity to obtain program

money.

Participants suggested that Federal agencies should provide Federal support for sustainable

policies by requiring that projects reach a “standard” for sustainability or encouraging

performance-based development, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) green

labeling programs.

Further, some NGO focus group participants stated that Federal policymakers needed to revive

previous interest in the institutional, physical, and structural infrastructure of rural America. The group noted that the training and education organizations once focused on rural community

policy and development have been disbanded or defunded – while the need in Native

communities remains.

The NGO focus group identified the following major impediments to working with tribes on

sustainable construction:

• Cultural concerns – green building needs to reflect cultural values.

• Need to build community consensus around green building.

• Lack of master planning; communities need to develop comprehensive housing plans

rather than plans that meet requirements for specific funding sources.

• Turnover of personnel at key tribal agencies and also in Federal agencies hampers having

a consistent voice/direction.

• Land issues.

• “Low bid” requirements.

• Insufficient funding.

The areas where the NGOs felt they could provide increased education included a range of

financial areas (housing loans and financing, leveraging Federal funds, using innovative funding tools, understanding how to deal with less common credit and income situations) and increasing

access to self help housing (plans and financing). Several focus group participants, especially in the NGO focus group, cited the difficulty of getting tribes to attend trainings or getting the

training to the specific people who need it.

10

Tribal Focus Group

Answers to the first question—what participants would change about their own or community

housing to make it green—demonstrated an understanding on the part of participants of the range of topics encompassing sustainability. Comments ranged from building envelope fixes, to

location and landscaping elements, to development issues and education to ensure durability.

From the question regarding support and training, participants expressed the need for specialized education in how to become more fluent in the language of sustainable building, and how to

adapt it to tribal cultures in order to pass an understanding of sustainability, its costs and its benefits, both up to tribal leadership and throughout the community to encourage community

buy-in. The language of sustainability can be different, but so is the time frame. The community and leaders might be familiar with basing their approval on upfront or construction costs. They may not have had the experience of evaluating a unit’s cost based on long-term life cycle costs, where the savings in utilities or in material durability leads to lowers higher initial upfront costs.

These are areas where education can lead to a change in perspective.

Tribal focus group participants described the types of support and training they need to develop a sustainable construction project. One major theme was a comprehensive education program:

educating everyone from tribal leadership to tribal members to maintenance workers to the

regional housing association, etc., about the value of green construction. Participants also

emphasized the need for training, especially hands-on, on-site training, in a number of areas

including:

• Training residents about green practices, green building technologies, and the benefits of

green building

• Training in community planning

• Workforce training

Specific training and technical assistance needs range from very basic training in planning

and development to more project-specific support, for example:

• How to develop a master plan.

• How to define a project and write a request for proposal.

• Assistance in developing own building standards.

• Checklist for procuring green construction materials.

• Energy training.

• Local workforce training.

Additional suggestions for support needed include rebates and incentives as well as funding;

having access to appropriate housing designs and to charettes to ensure community input in these designs; and flexibility in Federal regulations and policies.

Participants identified a number of impediments to developing sustainable construction projects.

These include:

• Lack of homeowner, decision-maker, and general community education about the

benefits of green building.

11

• The cost of green building.

• Not enough available land for building.

• Multiple environmental review requirements.

• Lack of availability of energy efficient products in rural areas.

• Funding.

• Manpower including maintenance and construction workers.

The participants also described cultural and political issues impediments to green building:

• Conflicts between using traditional methods versus incorporating modern technology.

• Perception that pushing back to traditional ways is a step back to poverty.

• Barriers to using new housing designs.

• There is not always a need for housing where tribal council members want it.

• Lack of cooperation with adjacent communities.

Participants in this group noted the complications that can arise from the short building season in Alaska and other northern climates. This reinforces the urge to replicate the “tried and true”

models rather than launch a more innovative project. Local builders and planners are more

confident they can fit the approval, planning, construction, etc, of the standard planned house into this building cycle. Another environmental complication discussed in this group as well as the governmental group is the difficulty of locating or transporting specialized sustainable

materials to remote communities. In some cases, however, the sustainable materials could help

solve a problem because they may be lighter and more easily transported than some standard

building materials.

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS

The group, which consisted primarily of governmental participants and several representatives

from a regional Indian housing association, recognized that the results list was generated based on the questions asked during the focus groups and by the attendees of the focus groups. It

therefore did not include the entire universe of possible responses. Operating from the available results, participants separately prioritized impediments that were general to the construction

process within Indian Country and impediments that were specific to sustainable construction

process.

The group identified the top five impediments to the general construction process in Indian

Country as:

• Lack of money/flow of funds

• Tribal capacity – turnover, knowledge sharing and transfer. Change in leadership, short-

staffed.

• Land issues

• Short-term versus long-term focus

• Fragmentation within the tribe

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The major categories of impediments specifically related to the sustainable construction process are:

• Building codes

• Costs/funding

• Capacity building

• Planning

• Benefit analysis

• Infrastructure

RECOMMENDATIONS

This section discusses recommendations that could be encouraged or implemented, in particular,

by governmental entities. Given time constraints and the focus on sustainability, the group

primarily limited recommendations to the first four (the highest ranking) impediments related to the sustainable construction process.

Building codes

Best Practices: Building Codes

Green building codes or

standards are a topic of

The Tribal Green Building Codes workgroup, begun March 2010,

interest for tribes in some

includes more than 50 representatives from Federal and tribal agencies,

parts of the country. A

and non-profit organizations engaged in exploring how tribes can adopt

number of tribes are already

or adapt sustainable building codes or standards to support housing that

impacted by green building

meets “the environmental, social and cultural priorities of Tribal people”

standards in Minnesota

(National Tribal Green Building Codes Summit Statement). Building

when they incorporate

codes shape federally funded housing standards in Indian Country, but

certain types of State

not all tribes have building codes or standards that express their

funding into affordable

priorities.

housing projects and the

energy code in Washington

The workgroup held its first summit June 23-24, 2011, where it

State. These standards are

developed a set of priorities, which include:

another area where tribes

have the freedom to develop

• “It is important to maintain clarity about the need to have

their own standards that

tribally-driven and culturally-based process.”

reflect their cultural

priorities, and they have the

• “Our emphasis needs to be on the development of a process

option to be more stringent

rather than a product, from which tribally determined green

than State standards as well.

building codes, and, or tribe-specific systems can develop.”

At the same time, the

• “Codes need to support each Native Nation’s sovereignty, and be

process does require caution

reflective of the community and culture.”

because too much strict

regulation can inhibit

For more information, contact: Michelle Baker, 415-972-3206,

construction. One possibility

baker.michelle@epa.gov or Laura Bartels, 970-379-6779, is to adapt the International

laura@greenweaverinc.com

Green Construction Code to

each individual tribe’s

13

needs. Federal agencies can provide incentives to tribes to implement green practices/ meet green standards. Another part of the process includes consideration of ways to build tribal capacity to enforce building codes. The level of interest in green building standards at the tribal level is evident in the work of the interagency Tribal Green Building Codes Workgroup.

Costs/Funding

Cost and funding are constants, especially in an economic period focused on reduction rather

than growth. The group suggested options for doing more with less which promote the use of

sustainable construction practices from two directions:

• Education. This can show tribes how sustainable investments can save money and/or how

they can get their money’s worth

• Federal program use. A thorough understanding of Federal programs reveals built in

supports to sustainable construction practices.

Education related

recommendations

Best Practices: Federal Agency Funding Coordination

included letting

tribes know how

An exciting example of Federal agencies joining forces to standardize

the health benefits

requirements, combine funding sources, and enhance collaboration is the

of sustainable

groundbreaking cooperation between the HUD Office of Sustainable Housing

housing can spill

and Communities, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the

over into savings

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Interagency Partnership on

in other arenas.

Sustainable Communities. This partnership promotes better access to

For example,

affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation

health care costs

costs.

can decrease

when people live

It has also led to coordination planning, policy, and investment such as in the

in healthier

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grants.

buildings;

There, for the first time, DOT and HUD jointly awarded grants for local

maintenance costs

planning activities which will eventually lead to integrated transportation,

can decrease

housing, and development.

when materials

are more durable.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the EPA also assisted with

Other suggestions

the grant program.

included creating

tools to help tribes

For more information, visit: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/

make smart

energy

improvement choices such as cost-benefit analysis tools or a matrix for tribal housing with

information similar to a matrix for public housing agencies that shows the energy improvements

with the greatest returns on investment:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=affordable_housing.affordable_housing_phas. In

addition, Federal agencies could develop a matrix that enumerates potential governmental

funding sources for green improvements. In addition to the funding coordination listed in the box above, Federal agencies could incentivize sustainable building practices in their grant programs as they did American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant programs.

14

Some education suggestions involved Federal agencies reaching out to other housing industry

entities such as banks and lenders, insurance companies, and appraisers to educate them on the

added value in energy efficient homes.

Federal programs have flexibility and credibility. HUD funds are still often seen simply as

housing money, but they are also a tool that tribes can use to leverage other funds. This can be written into grants as a matching requirement, but HUD staff can also emphasize this in training, when reviewing IHPs and when working with tribes. Sustainable building components can be

added into existing HUD training curricula. Federal agencies together can ensure that their

training and TA efforts cross reference and consistently provide information on Federal efforts such as the EPA’s green labeling programs, HUD’s green construction programs, and DOE’s

weatherization and energy efficiency programs. In addition, while it might also be useful for

total development costs to include life-cycle costs, right now tribes are eligible to apply for a variance to go above the total development cost (TDC) with Area Office approval based on the

incorporation of sustainable building technologies (Notice PIH 2010-47).

Capacity Building

To expand the capacity of the tribes seeking to develop sustainable housing and communities,

participants suggested expanding the services provided by NGOs and supporting the increased

capacity and an increased number of community development corporations. Some suggested that

the number of Native CDCs with a specific mission of serving Native communities might be

increased. One under utilitized resource may be in tribal colleges. Tribal colleges are not only providing

critically

Best Practices: Capacity Building and Sustainability Education

important training

certificates and

The College of Menominee Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) College is

degrees in

one example of a college creating a rounded approach to sustainability by

sustainable

increasing campus efficiency, educating and inspiring students and regional

building

communities in sustainability efforts, and also to provide training in green collar

vocations, but are,

careers. SDI:

in many cases,

• Provides financial assistance to student interns researching sustainability

leading the way in

issues, such as campus-wide baseline conditions including energy

educating their

benchmarking and greenhouse gas emissions, vermiculture, and indoor

communities and

air quality.

regions about

•

sustainability from

Has increased the environmental education units in all areas of study

a long-term Native

and is engaging campus community on campus sustainable development

perspective. See

through nine visioning sessions with more than 90 participants.

below for a brief

• Has engaged Great Lakes areas tribes in climate change education and

overview of

outreach.

sustainability

• Supports car pooling and other efforts among staff and on campus.

efforts of one

•

tribal college, the

Conducts applied, participatory action research as identified by tribes

College of

including the sustainability indicators research project.

Menominee

Sustainable

For more information, contact Beau Mitchell, 715-799-5600, ext 3145

15

Development Institute.

During this meeting, a few participants reacted to the need for education due to frequent

leadership and other turnover, and also to help leadership embrace quality since this will

decrease the need to rebuild as frequently. These recommendations, similar to suggestions

mentioned earlier, include providing incentives and rebates for sustainable construction,

developing baselines and collecting comparison information on efficiencies and savings,

adapting analyses on sustainability in other communities for tribal communities, and also getting the word about model tribal projects out to other tribes. One suggestion was for a tribal college version of the solar decathlon, where college teams compete to build innovative, affordable

houses—often rooted in their regional culture or meeting a regional need—powered with solar

energy. To be successful, educating prospective homeowners is as important as educating

leadership,

Best Practices: Capacity Building

since they

will live in

Smaller tribes do not always have the capacity or staffing to manage

and need to

construction projects. In Oklahoma, because of a memorandum of

maintain the

understanding (MOU) between HUD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

final product.

(COE), (allowed by 10 U.S.C. 3036d, the Chief’s Economy Act) they can

partner with COE to help with their grant applications and project management.

Tribal

capacity

The COE will work with tribes to provide supporting documentation for their

building also

project applications that add credibility to the package. These can include floor

refers to the

and site plans, a letter of support, and cost estimates. If the project is awarded,

need for the

the tribe enters into a contract with COE. COE is paid approximately 6 percent

development

of a grant.

of specific

technical skill

Typically, COE will provide the tribe with request for qualifications and

sets that will

interview support, documentation for the audit process, analysis of prospective

allow tribal

subcontractor cost proposals, and design review. The COE has structural,

communities

mechanical, and architectural engineers on staff.

to control

some costs of

During the project, COE provides tribes with multiple quality assurance

sustainable

inspections. These have led to an increase in the quality of materials used in

construction

projects and an increase in the square footage of projects. They review the pay

by doing the

application to ensure that anticipated work is completed before payment is

work in-

made, insure that the punch list is completed, and conduct a warranty inspection

house.

just before a year after completion.

The

For more information, contact Cynthia Kitchens, 918-669-7042, or

partnership of

Cynthia.Kitchens@usace.army.mil

COE and

tribes in Oklahoma offers a different model. Here, smaller tribes who lack the capacity and

staffing to carry out aspects of a construction project can collaborate with COE. COE takes on

some of the technical aspects and wins quality and cost gains for the tribes.

16

Planning

Sustainable construction does not simply mean adding energy efficiency to individual housing

units, but also planning for long-term community development. Participants suggested that the

Federal government was well positioned to encourage and support long-term sustainable

planning by informing tribes about available resources. These include Indian Community

Development Block Grant (ICDBG) funds, Economic Development Administration (EDA)

public works planning grants, and Administration for Native Americans grants that support long-

range planning. In addition, Federal agencies can let tribes know about their own regional

planning commissions that may have technical staff available to support communities with needs

such as community comprehensive planning, grant preparation and assistance, mapping services,

hazard mitigation planning, and environmental assessments. They can also alert tribes to

planning assistance training opportunities available through organizations including the Native American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) and the Native Learning Center.

The Mayor’s Institute on City Design is a National Endowment for the Arts initiative that helps transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of

their cities. Participants suggested that Federal agencies could team up to create a tribal version to bring sustainable development concepts to a greater number of tribal leaders.

Federal Coordination

Participants also offered some overarching recommendations to facilitate better information

sharing and resource use among Federal agencies:

• Locate the right contact person in other agencies to provide TA or services. Federal

agency staff do not always know their counterparts in other agencies or realize what who

offers what services within a Federal agency. Regional contact lists could help.

• Coordinate/schedule trainings and meetings jointly rather than have multiple meetings

with tribes.

• Similarly, coordinate among agencies to align agency visits to tribes.

• Support local regional training with multiple agency presence.

• Implement a joint project – agencies work together on, e.g., a master plan, a green

building toolkit or a green building codes or standards toolkit.

• Develop a clearinghouse of meetings on topics relevant to tribes for sustainability.

• Conduct interagency meetings or establish an interagency workgroup.

SUMMARY

Increasing use of sustainable construction technologies in Indian Country, as in the rest of the country, carries an appeal for additional financial incentives to support the incorporation of these technologies. However, what may be even more critical to encouraging acceptance of and desire

for sustainable construction technologies is a change in perspective. This new perspective

includes the following insights:

• Sustainable housing does not have to be in conflict with issues of overcrowding or the

replacement of substandard housing. As one meeting participant framed it, “Housing

17

development that is not sustainable perpetuates the current problem. It impoverishes

families with high energy costs, high maintenance costs and health issues.”

• Sustainable housing does not have to be more expensive over the lifetime of the housing

unit. Inclusion of cost-effective sustainable technologies does require making informed

choices based on availability of materials, suitability of materials to climate and housing

unit, return on investment, as well as budget considerations.

• Sustainable housing offers health and financial benefits for residents. The savings from

reduced energy costs or doctors’ visits, in the case of decreased asthma attacks for

example, can be redirected to other family needs.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative is designed to provide types of

assistance that can play a role in promoting understanding about the benefits of sustainable

construction technologies:

• Providing supplemental technical assistance that can help tribes incorporate appropriate

sustainable technologies into their residential construction projects.

• Educating demonstration projects about the range of sustainable construction

technologies available.

• Promote use of available tools for helping tribes make informed decisions about which

sustainable construction technologies to implement. Potential tools include free blower

door testing through HUD ONAP, free modeling and benefit analysis software, and the

Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program TA.

• Highlight regional best practice case studies of successful tribal sustainable projects.

• Support tribes in collecting energy-related data for demonstrating energy and

rehabilitation benchmarks and savings associated with sustainable technologies. This can

show savings for TDHEs and residents.

Together with other Federal Agencies, and other committed partners, this initiative can

implement strategies that will lead to a new perspective for some and a deeper understanding of green for others.

18

APPENDIX A: MEETING NOTES

All of the focus groups used U.S. Green Building Council’s definition of “green building”:

Sustainable construction has as its goal residential housing that is healthier, more comfortable, more durable, more energy efficient, and with a much smaller environmental footprint than

conventional homes.”

The focus groups used a brainstorming process.

Focus groups had similar agendas:

• Introductions

• Focus Group Process

• Purpose

• Discussion/comments

• Next Steps

Cielo Gibson facilitated the meetings with assistance from Lynda Lantz, both of FirstPic, Inc.

GOVERNMENTAL FOCUS GROUP

9 am-10:30 am

Participants:

Randy Akers

HUD Northern Plains Office of Native American

Programs (NPONAP)

Mike Blanford

HUD Policy Development and Research

Nova Blazej

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Region 9

Rodger Boyd

Deputy Assistant Secretary ONAP

Kate Brown

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Kevin Fitzgibbons

Eastern/Woodlands ONAP (EWONAP)

Brian Gillen

EWONAP, Region V Sustainability Officer

Rebecca Halloran

HUD ONAP Office of Loan Guarantee

Jed Harrison

EPA tribal advisor

Cynthia Kitchens

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Younes Masiky

U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Tribal Energy

Program

Carrie Nelson

Bonneville Power Administration DOE Energy

Weatherization Program

Marty Nee

HUD Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard

Control (OHHLHC)

Lizana Pierce

DOE Tribal Energy Program

Michelle Tinnen

Southwest ONAP (SWONAP) sustainable and green

development

19

Question 1: From your perspective as a Federal agency, what are the impediments to

developing sustainable construction projects in native communities?

Participants noted the following impediments:

• Resident Investment-ownership. Someone else is paying for it so not as invested in

making changes. There is a cost to investing in housing and energy. Homeowner buy-in

is needed.

• Need

• Money

• Green Building is perceived as a luxury.

• Quality vs. quantity (is it better to do more or to do it better?)

• The initial cost vs. the life cycle cost. There is a big initial investment which will pay off in the long run.

• Educating the public about the short-term cost vs. the long-term savings benefit

• Getting information to the tribes about industry financing vs. government financing

• Media. The perception of green home being a want vs. a need

• Limited number of native architects/culturally relevant/sensitive green design

• Leadership priorities - regulation and banking not going well together

• Appraisal value - impeding costs of remoteness. For example, getting an appraiser out to

a location can be costly.

• Permitting and recording

• Tribal transition - staff turnover

• Council turnover

• Fragmentation within the tribe (ownership/responsibility)

• Availability and development of green building codes - what are the benefits or

deterrents. How do you sell it to the tribes?

• Standardization of rules and regulations and processes across agencies

• Tribal empowerment - lack knowledge of exercising their sovereignty; they don't always

know they have the ability to legislate in that area. Tribes don't realize they have the

authority and ability to do things, that they have more freedom of decisions.

• As agencies, we could incentivize green building. There is a lack of encouragement.

• Remoteness, especially in Alaska. Sometime the infrastructure does not exist.

• The number of tribes and the diversity of tribes

• The large number of tribes and the limited number of Federal staff

• Coordination with tribal groups/ NGOs is not as good as it could be

• Cost - such as the impact of Total Development Cost, Dealing with small tribes is not

cost efficient. The program with the Corp of Engineers has been able to provide economy

of scale. Smaller tribes need the benefit of collaboration

• Education - "Presolarizing" educating the tribes and the homeowners that there is much that can be done in small steps and at little cost. You can do the little things before you do

the big things. For example, you can change the light bulbs or do blower testing in your

home before you think about putting solar panels on. There are inexpensive options. Also

there are inexpensive options that can be incorporated into new construction. Also at both

the tribal and Federal level, there needs to be an understanding of what all the agencies

can do.

20

• Codes and permitting - sometimes there are codes that are not mandated and getting

people to do things that are not mandated is hard.

• Weighing benefits to dollars. Part of the education piece is to see that green homes mean

healthy homes. In the long run, there are financial, social and health benefits. You can

save money on health care costs if you have healthy homes free of mold, mildew, and

other health hazards. Educating the public that green equals healthy.

• Quality Assurance - the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) program is a good

example of how there can be guidance which provides quality assurance and expediting

processes. SWONAP has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the COE. The

COE assists tribes preparing their RFP/RFQ, engineer experience, etc. They help the

tribes with complicated processes.

• Laws and regulations governing each agency differ. Managing each agency/program

requirement on a big, complex project is difficult. It would be better if there were

common interagency requirements. For example, it would be nice to have one definition

of income limits. The programmatic structure and funding streams have to be streamlined

and consistent. The differences in statutory requirements require a lot of coordination.

• Tribal capacity – turn-over, staff changes, tribal changes, knowledge sharing and

knowledge transfer. They have change in leadership, short-staffed. They need to have

people on the ground.

• Dissemination of information - Looking at what publications the other Federal agencies

are printing and distributing. There are good documents that should be disseminated, but

the government is no longer printing many documents. Can this be done electronically as

a spreadsheet? Do tribes all have access? There needs to be education at both the tribal

and Federal agency level.

• Physical inventory - Sometimes agencies cannot provide TA because there was no

physical inventory. There is a lack of information about the actual housing stock and its

conditions.

• Construction time and the availability of contractors.

• It is okay to go “deeper green” - the cutting edge of what is happening in green building

construction

Question 2: What type of technical assistance (TA) and financial assistance does your

agency currently provide or plan to provide in the future?

Participants identified the follow current and future resources:

CURRENT PLANNNING

FOR

NAHASDA (HUD)

Healthy Homes Production (HUD OHHLHC)

SECTION 184 (HUD)

SHHIP Certification (Safe Healthy Homes

TITLE VI (HUD)

Investment Partnership) gets additional points

ICDBG (HUD)

in NOFA (HUD OHHLHC)

Other HUD (Healthy Homes/RI/etc)

NAIHC - Green Building 2012

Connecting communities for regional planning

NAIHC - emergency response program

(Office of Sustainable Housing and

NAIHC - discussing poor performance -

Communities)

TDHE - could expand into green construction,

Proforma creation

develop training on emergency response, 2012

Radon grants (EPA)

green building.

21

GAP grants

Green Homes Fair - existing and new

Smoke-free buildings

homeowners

Guidance on Smoke free buildings and

New Construction standards or labeling of

ordinances (HUD)

Indoor Air Plus

State resources for technical assistance

Tax credits and utility incentives

Technical assistance through NAIHC to

Workshops, FOA's, TA, information,

expand to green construction

education (DOE)

West - RHED Green Training - 6 sessions

Try to adjust regulations to allow tribal access

(USDA)

directly (DOE)

Use of green materials: DOE, roof decking,

EPA/HUD/Other? outreach to ICDBG and

light bulbs, solar water, green fair.

IHBG recipients re: green building/healthy

IAQ - guidance training, scholarships, test

homes/weatherization options (EPA)

shadowing, Web portal linking

Interagency collaboration on Web sites and

Networking among tribes share resources:

through trips to tribes and conferences and

Tribal Champions, Tribal Mentorships.

training, such as USDA, HUD, EPA, BPA,

Planning/Org for EE and renewable energy and DOE. Field level coordination (e.g. Denver

capacity building, feasibility studies, retrofits,

office)

training. (DOE)

Policy: Incentive based coordination

Weatherization (3 tribal allocations); tribes

must coordinate with States. (DOE)

Intertribal Environmental council has a tire

Weatherization training centers, i.e., Alaska.

clean up - are there other such resources that

Also (ARRA) - 15 centers nationally, not

can be tapped into

specific to tribes (DOE)

TA to provide a list of resources in the State

Retrofit training for auditors and inspectors

and health/safety and weatherization (BPA)

Healthy Home Fair

Funds equipment and weatherization materials; Need a convener to facilitate pulling people

assist Washington tribes leverage funds with

together - issue of sustainability is a shared

State grants (BPA)

responsibility across the entire tribe

Supporting tribal green building codes working

group (EPA)

EPA standards and guidances are voluntary

Utilities (e.g. PG&E in CA) provide

weatherization training and do some outreach

to tribes

Meet in person with tribes as part of TA

Collaboration with the natural resources dept

Question 3: What kinds of assistance do communities need that are not being provided?

Federal agency participants identified the following needs:

• More education and information on sustained capacity building

• Information/technical assistance to tribes (limited because of travel to remote areas)

• Partnerships with TC&U, tribal colleges and universities

22

• Paper materials should be on-line (White House Administrative Executive Order

flexibility for tribes) and tribes should know where these sources are.

• Limited infrastructure/Internet access

• More examples of best practices - tribal case studies and tribes learning from each other

• Assistance for leveraging colors of money.

• Multi Agency TA - TIGER TEAMS; strategic planning teams - work in advance on

putting money together

• INTRA/INTER agency coordination vs. being siloed. Also coordinate with Indian Health

Service (IHS) - healthy families=healthy homes

• Education and buy-in of agency staff and tribes on the importance of energy efficiency

and green building

• Business code/legal infrastructure training

• Skilled workforce (green job skills) and job creation. More resources for workforce

development, especially job skills

• Planning money

• Broader interagency collaboration - how to share information with tribes about technical

assistance, conferences, via grass roots which can then inform higher level agency.

• Increased tribal capacity of how to conduct their own testing (weatherization, infrared,

blower door, for example)

• Certified training of staff: purchasing equipment, utilizing equipment, (lead-based paint

(LBP)/asbestos/radon, DOE, Native Workplace, etc)

• Curriculum development - weatherization plus health, indoor air quality, Healthy Homes,

gas testing, backdrafting into house, moisture control

• Increased partnerships with Community Assistance Program (CAP) agencies

• Model codes

• Adjust regulation so that tribes can access directly

• More coordination with regional entities

• Partnership with tribal culture and agencies

• Assistance with developing infrastructure for Web development and access.

• Trainings provided through Webcast

• Leveraging – multi-agency strategic planning teams.

• Health and Human Services (HHS) coordination

• More education for our own agencies as to the importance and effects of green building.

Overcome the “green is a fad” thinking.

• Development of building codes

• More resources for workforce development

• Centralized Web site that would include best practices, program resources, notices,

publications (like an expand Codetalk)

• Coordinating the links so you can link back to the original resource site

• Expand the technical assistance that is currently being offered at SWONAP from the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers for other tribes, build capacity of grant applications and

managing processes

• There needs to be a holistic approach to sustainable housing. That is, it needs to involve

the entire tribal community and agencies in a collaborative effort

• Build the capacity of grant applications

23

• Relationship development (State, tribal, intertribal agencies) - how to develop a

continuum to weather tribal changes. Continuum of programs and services.

• Green outreach - light bulb giveaway. It is easier to go where people are already gathered

- e.g. pow wows

• Efforts needs to be comprehensive across agencies and tribal departments

• Certified training for tribal staff - e.g. radon mitigation

• Demographic and physical assessment tribe's housing inventory. E.g. BIA used to have a

template, a checklist - spec sheet whereby you had a profile of the characteristics of a

home.

• There are overlapping conferences that compete with each other - it is better for it to be a partnership and conducting trainings together. Exploring/Partnering with agencies on

conferences and training- maybe expanding a day to prevent overlapping. For example,

DOE energy conference last month and the HUD conference this month.

• Partnering with intermediaries (tribal colleges, CAP agencies, State initiatives, regional

housing meeting)

Question 4: What groups do you serve? Tribes, non-profits, housing authorities?

• DOE and EPA said mostly to tribes.

• Whoever asks for the assistance.

• It varies among agencies.

NONGOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES FOCUS GROUP

10:45 am – noon

Participants:

Mike Blanford

HUD PD&R

Lacey Gaechter

Trees, Water and People

Judith Grunau

Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC)

Katie Hoyt

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Russell Kaney

Enterprise Rural and Native Initiative

Jason La Fleur

AES

Beau Mitchell

College of Menominee Nation

Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy

HUD Office for International and Philanthropic

Innovation

Nick Tilsen

Thunder Valley CDC

Holly Youngbear Tibbets

College of Menominee Nation

Question 1: What types of technical assistance and financial assistance does your

organization currently provide or plan to provide in the future? Who do you serve?

Nongovernmental organization participants identified the following services they offer currently or plan to offer in the future:

24

CURRENT PLANNNING

FOR

Renewable energy – straw bale construction –

Energy efficiency

hands-on (Trees, Water and People)

Livelihood development with renewable

Constitution reform – in person, on-site,

energy focus/green jobs – business

conference, webinars

development, environmental stewardship

Tax – webinar - 40 people

Planning for housing—holistic support/training

Annual/mid-year – variety of topics – target to

Housing for 300-500 people (on the Pine Ridge

resolution

Reservation)

Planning – inclusion, survey, focus group

Training for trades people, existing builders,

Social media – only good at times – as many

middle-level professionals – insurance,

off reservation as on who follow it

appraisers, mortgage lenders, etc., tribes in

Community dialogue – they get input from

Great Lakes (Menominee)

community members to develop a plan. They

Facility for sustainable northern community

work with the people, not with organizations.

development – an interagency

Reservation-wide opportunities for

/interorganizational collaboration space and

organizations to connect with each other

opportunity (CCHRC)

Formal and community training/education in

Training and competency development on

building trades – specializes in sustainable

supply side but expand to construction trades

development (Menominee)

Green Group trainings (Enterprise)

Research on viable applications for the region

(Menominee)

Material construction and product testing,

research, application in Circumpolar North

(CCHRC)

Community-based design of affordable,

sustainable, culturally-appropriate housing

(CCHRC)

Instruction in building methods and building

science – on-line, print and in-person

(CCHRC)

Partnership with tribes, housing authorities,

village corporations and financial institutions

(CCHRC)

International education on sustainable forest

management (SDI – part of Menominee)

Financial assistance to student interns doing

research for the college (SDI)

Engage campus community on campus

sustainable development (SDI)

Engage Great Lakes tribes in climate change

education, outreach (SDI)

Applied, participator action research as

identified by tribes (SDI)

Training and competency development on

design side

Technical assistance on green building,

25

financial (Enterprise)

Technical assistance registry on-line

(architects, engineers, etc. vetted by Enterprise

on “green credentials) (Enterprise)

Grants for green charettes (Enterprise)

Grants for organizational capacity building

(Enterprise)

Architectural “green” workshops (Enterprise)

Who do you serve?

• Tribal leaders (elected) from member tribes – Federal/state

• Training center focused – from tribes – Great Plains

• Oglala Sioux tribe – people – Oyate

• Tribes in the Great Lakes region

• The Circumpolar North

• Tribal THDEs

• Tribal non-profits

• Tribal CDCs

• Tribal Human Services

Question 2: What types of assistance do communities need that isn’t being provided?

Participants identified the following assistance:

• More education on available housing loans and how to apply for them – assistance

through the application process

• More education on home maintenance

• Innovative financing mechanisms – revisit double declining depreciation declining

depreciation schedules used previously

• Actual on-site models that communities/builders can examine

• More information to communities on how to build own home – construction loans and

house plans available

• Institutional resources to enable preparation of skilled builders

• Multi-income families/households need help showing combined income of multi-

generational household

• Grant writing assistance

• TA in how to leverage Federal/non-Federal funding sources – focus on helping NGOs

learn this:

- How HUD plans to leverage funds – share with NGOs

- Need an assessment tool/framework to determine what NGOs can handle – some

kind of tool to help NGOS build their internal capacity

• Utilization of networks – systematic way for HUD to connect with/use the networks that

already exist on reservations

26

• Need in-person, on-site training. This is really important. If tribal members go elsewhere

for training, then they need to “translate it back” to the others in their tribe. If they get onsite training, they get immediate tribal buy-in.

• More NAHASDA training

• More financial assistance—and learning to leverage what’s there

• Flexible and targeted training and TA for projects/programs from HUD and also from

specific “industry” groups. Bring housing authorities and NGOs together to work on

specific projects. There is strong support for focusing training and TA on specific

projects rather than general training.

• HUD’s environmental assessment requirements are very specific, and HUD doesn’t

provide TA on how to get through their process. More generally, HUD needs to:

- Provide more permanent TA for HUD grantees

- If HUD doesn’t offer a specific kind of TA or training, tribes need to be allowed

to use their grant money to pay other sources for the training and TA that they

need.

• Long-term planning – master planning or strategy on development

• Pre-development funding for market analysis, demographics, technical reports, etc.

• One-on-one on-site specific/community specific consultants/TA to stay with project

• Focus on culturally-specific aspects unique to community

• Comprehending impacts and opportunities associated with climate change

• Peer-to-peer training

Question 3: What can we (NGOs) do better?

• Engagement on appropriate nation-nation level to set agendas

• Needs assessments focused on community dialogue

• Relationship building

• Occupant education

• Green Home Fairs

Question 4: What can Federal agencies do to support you in helping tribes implement

sustainable construction?

Some responses overlapped with responses to questions 2 and 3. The participants identified the

following Federal support needed:

• Have Veteran’s agencies, labor departments, etc., provide money to employ construction

• Provide business development assistance

• Provide TA person from HUD/DOE/etc. to help with getting specific program money to

reservations and build local capacity to do so. Teach tribes best practices on how to

access programs. Have “champion”/”community builder” – but don’t just add this job to

someone’s existing workload because staff are spread too thin

• Set aside money for tribes rather than making tribes get funding through their

State/municipality. Dedicate money to tribes so tribes don’t have to compete with States

27

for money. Agencies need to better understand the sovereign status of tribes and how to

interact with them.

• Share data/grant programs – application process

• HUD set “standard” for sustainability. Difficult with sovereignty status but could force

tribes to do green building.

• Pay serious attention to the institutional, physical, and structural infrastructure of rural America, e.g., Rural Development Institute – no education/training component

• Provide matching grants – community raises amount of money and Federal agencies

match it

• Federal and private partnerships for creative funding

• More funding toward training within community of sustainable building practices and

techniques

• Provide intellectual capital and labor for on the ground tribal-driven planning and

projects

• Don’t take away funding, but direct it towards making people more self-sufficient (sweat

equity self-help, training)

• Encourage, through resource allocation, performance-based development, which focuses

on operations and maintenance

• Multiple funding opportunities throughout the year for planning, pre-development,

visioning but allocated in climate areas across the county

• Federal support for fully qualified TA providers, materials, methods, i.e., standards and

best practices

• Pilot/demonstration projects/homes, etc. with project evaluation/testing after to provide

technical data on payback, savings, etc.

• Agencies listen, learn and apply traditional designs and values of tribal structures specific to “place.”

• Ask the community how they think it would be best for the future of the community to

use funding to develop sustainability

Question 5: What are the major impediments to working with tribes on sustainable

construction?

Participants identified the following impediments:

• Lack of money and flow of funds

• Lack of connection between private sector innovation to Federal efforts

• Building codes – capacity building – regulation

• Do training, then no jobs for tribal members afterwards

• Getting the right person/people to attend trainings and meetings

• Cultural barriers – tribes have adapted to the “HUD house mentality.”

• Existing units are unsustainable – need to commit to fixing old houses (disposition

regulations).

• House design that is currently not focused geographically, culturally, climatically –

commit to specific HUD support. Make a new, full commitment that replaces the 1960s,

1970s homes.

28

• Lack of local plan –difficult to do relocation for rehabilitating or redeveloping locations.

• Lack of master planning. Allocate more funding for tribes to do their Indian Housing

Plans, so they can develop comprehensive housing plans rather than just meet

requirements for using housing funds

• Transition from one “administration” to another – consistent voice; turnover of personnel

at key tribal agencies/positions and Federal agencies

• Short-term versus long-term focus; need incentives to tribes to look long term at

materials, etc; i.e., fewer restrictions on design, mandated materials, “low-bid” mentality

undermines housing durability– want housing to have more durable life cycle

• Determining who owns land and what land is available for development and who has

already done environmentals on the land. Also, often politics within communities among

Village Corporations, tribes, and cities limit the land for sale, because they don’t work

together to get more housing, or no one wants to sell land

• Letting existing water/sewer/roads/electric limit sustainable development and creativity

• Need to meet with the community many times to get dialogue going and planning

developed, and travel to remote communities is very expensive. Relationship building –

who do you trust?

• Lack of funding to consolidate fractional heirship interested on allotted reservations

• Institutional resources for research and development

• Flexible funding – quantity of restrictions, e.g., multi-generational units, etc.

• Consensus building is much needed – dialogue, ask/listen to community

• Use appreciative inquiry for engagement

TRIBAL FOCUS GROUP

2:45 pm – 4 pm

There were about 16 participants (about 1/5 were Federal agency representatives like EPA and

HUD). Tribes represented included the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Kalispell Band of Indians,

Choctaw Housing Authority, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, as well as representatives of Alaska and

southwest tribes.

Question 1: What would you change in your existing homes to make them green?

Participants identified the following items that were intended to get them thinking about

sustainability and give a sense of what how much they already know about sustainability:

• Weatherization: roofs, windows, doors (2)

• Durability; make sure the homes last -- that they don't fall apart in a short time

• Solar power (2)

• Landscaping- more native plants (2)

• Location - it is not sustainable if homes are remote from access to transportation and

services/town (e.g. stores, schools, etc.) (3)

• Building new homes next to existing homes

29

• Conservation should exist. The kilowatt measuring device "Kill-a-watt" calculates the cost of usage. People don't realize that having appliances plugged in (like a toaster), when

not in use, still uses power.

• Educate homeowners about what they can do with what they already have

• Motion sensor lights

• Energy audits, especially for larger and community buildings

• Community outreach: tap into community, schools, etc. For example, there was a

recycling project at the school. It educated kids about the importance of recycling. The

kids went home and told their parents. It was an example of the younger generation

making changes at the family and community level. It also lowered landfill costs.

• Getting recycling and waste company partnerships with the community

• Preventive maintenance

• HUD regulation - want more flexibility - what you can and cannot include. e.g. put in an

additional fireplace

• TDC - more flexibility to increase TDC for green building

• Energy efficient light bulbs, e.g. when tenants move in and out

• Beneficial use of gray water

• Rainwater collection systems but some concern about mosquitoes – expensive

underwater rain catchment

• Community garden

• Walking trails

• Encourage biking; carpool with neighbors

• Engage community members to educate residents on how to use systems.

• Upgrades to windows, doors, floors, appliances, low-flow toilets, water efficiency,

HVAC, roofs (7)

• Lighting, bulbs, fixtures, use of natural lighting, etc. (2)

• Attic space

• Ventilation

• Site location

• Get contractors on contracted out rehabilitation work to use energy efficient products

• Educating tribal members how to maintain new products

Question 2: What support and training do you need to develop a sustainable construction

project?

Participants identified the following types of needed support and training:

• How to define a project and write an RFP

• Top-down education. Getting political will and convincing the board

• Partner with tribal colleges, use of graduate students (engineers, architects), other local

and community college partnerships and resources

• Educate maintenance and warehouse staff

• Have a green purchasing initiative

• Local workforce training - either on the job or at a training site

30

• Training residents on green practices, cost benefits, maintenance, etc.

• Pre-development and design funding – Big picture planning

• Engaging community partners. Need to work on the communication process and getting

buy-in. Need to improve the mechanisms used for communication

• Need assistance how to have a community-building process

• There needs to be a link between language and culture on the issue of sustainability.

Make sure we are all understanding the same concepts. Focus on "what is the message?"

• Staff training

• Technical support for code officials

• Assistance in developing own standards

• Charette with all stakeholders

• Money

• HUD: Develop a consortium of funding agencies that can partner with HUD dollars

• Training for NAHASDA on 1) green building technologies, 2) what LEED certification

means and how that differs from other certification programs

• TA from HUD or HUD-approved agency on how to develop a master plan

• Webinar for TA is a potential BUT tribes may need assistance linking to a webinar

• Liaison at HUD that continues through a whole project - someone who can come out

monthly

• On-line video training (YouTube) is a possibility, but there are concerns about tribal

access

• Checklist for procuring green construction materials

• RFP template for contractors for green building; LEED provides a framework for

ensuring all parties are committed to green building

• TDC is a limiting factor - need greater flexibility

• Energy training

• Decision makers need training

• Regional housing association training

• Force account training/certification

• Hands on training

• On-site training

• Train the trainers

• Financial support

• Community based education for our tribal members - for them to have buy-in

• Contact local housing associations to put out information to All tribal housing and

building contractors

• HUD - allowing tribes to be empowered by allowing grant funds for develop and green

builds (NOFA)

• More incentives for Green Builds/rebates

Question 3: What are your major impediments to developing sustainable construction

projects?

Participants identified the following impediments to developing sustainable construction

projects:

31

• Lack of homeowner education

• Perception of costs – green is too costly

• The conflicts that can be involved or perceived in using traditional methods vs.

incorporating modern technology

• Perception that pushing back to traditional ways is a step back to poverty

• Board education and buy-in

• No more land – lack of space, needing to buy land

• Need for council buy-in and education

• Manpower – not enough maintenance workers; sometimes bring in workers from other

areas, which increases cost

• Money/funding top to bottom – plan, build, maintain, and rehab

• Planning design is very important to avoid later problems

• Education of residents about benefits of energy efficient retrofits/behavior change

• Existing dispersed housing developments; developing consensus among community in

developing Master Plan to reduce building footprint

• There is not always a need for housing where tribal council members want it; i.e., politics

• Lack of data on housing need; research

• Need to clearly demonstrate benefits of sustainable housing to decision-makers

• Multiple environmental review requirements

• Lack of cooperation with adjacent communities

• Land status; lack of documentation of real estate transfers

• Demolition of houses; regulations written for cities, not suitable for tribal communities

• Federal, State, local housing funding should have tribal set-aside based on formula

• Transportation

• Location

• Building cycle

• Political

• Funds/cost

• Education

• Myths

• The cost placed on the homeowner for replacement materials or products for energy

efficient building

• Availability of energy efficient products in rural areas

• Cultural/traditional long-term cost

• Floor plans –barriers to using new designs – new generation homeowners not accepting

anything less than grandpa’s house

• Budget restraints

• TDC limitations

4. What can your tribe do to help your community understand the benefits of green

construction?

Participants listed the following ways to bring communities on-board:

32

• Board and Councils should attend workshops and summits

• Promote projects you do get done

• Grant administrators leave to attend workshops

• Workshops should be free and include food and incentives

• Follow the money – explain the cost savings

• Educate community about green building:

o About conservation methods, e.g., better to insulate home than burn free wood

o Explain relationship between green homes and health

o Increase awareness of the younger generation

o Identify targeted groups –e.g., elders, youth – and target them in appropriate ways

o Get buy-in from opinion leaders/“squeaky wheels”

o Use social media to educate the community/twitter about your event, e.g., “free

light bulbs”

o Tribal newspapers, radio, television commercials

o Media blitz everywhere – health clinics, schools, etc.

o Community events, e.g., booth at sporting events

o Hand out materials at general Council meetings, election day campaign/polling

places (2)

o Fact sheet for community members on green building benefits

o Community dinner to discuss benefits of green building

o Community meetings for all tribal members

o Monthly newsletter and/or Web sites with information about green building

• Educate/orientation at move-in for new residents on green building features; have staff do

hands-on tenant training

• Partner with other agencies so you are not duplicating the number of visits from

departments (e.g., Health Department brought energy efficient light bulbs when making

health visits.)

• Partner with casinos, lodges, hotels, restaurants, and tribal enterprises

• National Indian Housing Survey – see if they are getting information about green

issues/practices

• Tie green building into cultural heritage

• The RFP for any housing element should include training for operations and maintenance

staff and require training manual from installer

• Need tribal champion at decision-making level

• Tribal councils adopt a policy or include language in the mission statement that

supports/encourages green building in all projects

• Have tribal council establish an environment committee that can educate the council as a

whole on green building; educate employees and tribal leadership

• EPA should encourage cooperation by the tribal housing and tribal environment

departments

• Share information between tribes on green housing successes

• Tribal lack of or minimal access/use of computers/electronic media is potential barrier

• One-on-one training

• Demonstration

33

• Utility data collection

• Testimonies

• Partnerships/NGO

• Sensitive to community concerns

• Urban areas in the tribal areas that may be using home loan funds to purchase homes

need to be educated for pre-existing structures

• Provide giveaways with information on the products

COORDINATION MEETING

September 28, 2011

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Participants:

Payton Batliner

Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Energy

and Economic Development

Mike Blanford

HUD PD&R

Dana Bres

HUD Policy Development and Research (PD&R)

Tedd Buelow

US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development

Melissa Fetters

Choctaw Housing Authority

Brian Gillen

HUD, Eastern Woodlands ONAP

Daniel Glenn

Glenn & Glenn Architects

Rebecca Halloran

HUD ONAP Office of Loan Guarantee

Jed Harrison

Environmental Protection Agency, Office of

Radiation and Indoor Air

Lizana Pierce

Department of Energy, Tribal Energy Program

Sabrina Stephens

Southern Plains Indian Housing Association Board

member and Choctaw Nation Housing Authority

Roger Taylor

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Tribal

Energy Program

Trina Thompson

Choctaw Housing Authority

Michelle Tinnin

HUD SPONAP

David Vought

HUD, Alaska ONAP

This meeting began with a summary of the barriers that were identified in the three focus groups from the prior day. Most participants in this meeting were present at one of the focus group, but not all.

Discussion during Barrier Summary

Participants expressed concern that a number of the barriers listed are not specific to green

building. They think we need to focus on impediments to doing green building including the

“low hanging fruit” such as weatherization, but omit those barriers that are endemic to doing any housing construction in Indian Country. Nonetheless, someone commented that some tribes are

34

less sophisticated that others and could benefit from training about the construction process.

Tribes which are not familiar with the process may need this prior to any green training.

Another participant suggested that the questions asked in the focus group and the Green Building Council definition of sustainable development used in the focus groups favored certain responses and topics over others. He suggested both were designed to elicit strong discussion of

environmental and energy factors, but not about the health side of sustainability or cultural

issues. [Note that issues of the relationship of sustainability to culture and health were discussed as part of the focus groups. See pp 19, 21, 22, 23, 31, and 33.] The participant said that we need to broaden people’s understanding of what “green” means to include these elements.

Participants were told that they could add barriers to the list. They added:

• Health factors

• Cultural relevance

Barrier: IHP and Comprehensive Planning

• Tribes submit the Indian Housing Plan (IHP) annually to HUD to describe their year’s

housing activities. HUD substantially updated the IHP this year. HUD reviews the IHP to

ensure compliance and approves IHPs to release IHBG funding. Some tribes have fairly

comprehensive IHPs and others give less detail. The level of detail is very tribe-specific.

Some participants felt that tribes could use assistance to help them develop long-

term/master plans.

• Some participants, however, felt that the planning issues faced by tribes were larger than

the IHP. Tribes need to integrate their housing plan with the larger tribal planning

process. Within their own governments, tribes need to plan roads, housing, etc. as a

single entity. To have smart growth planning, need communication across different tribal

entities. The goal is to integrate housing, roads, health services, zoning, etc. in one

planning process. Housing should stem from the master plan.

• Several participants stressed that not all tribes are “reservation tribes,” in particular tribes in Oklahoma and Alaska but also in other places. Thus, challenges may be different and

familiarity with long-term planning may be different. Choctaw Nation, for example, has

5-, 10-, and 100-year plans so they can be sustainable in all areas for future generations.

They also work with their counties, cities, and State to do comprehensive planning.

• Perhaps it would be productive to ask each region to identify barriers to tribes conducting

comprehensive planning.

A participant said that some tribes keep doing the same things because that’s what they are

familiar with. It is easier to do what you’ve always done than to do something new. In contrast, another participant stated that there were tribes that were leading the way in commitment to

sustainability: “The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi showed us what could be done to make a

tribal community really green, from the planning of the site through the whole process. We have example after example in our communities of sustainable building. We just want to promote this

and share this with other tribes.”

35

After the barriers were summarized and discussed, participants were asked to use dot ballot

voting to prioritize the barriers, which were also posted on the wall. They each were given 10

dots in each of two colors:

• Red dot: absolute priority even if not specific to green building

• Green dot: priorities among the barriers to green building

Most participants did not use all of their dots!

The combined impediment list for the coordination meeting was composed of the following:

• Lack of money and flow of funds

• Flexible funding – quantity of restrictions, e.g., multi-generational units, etc.

• Connect private sector innovation to Federal efforts

• Building codes – capacity building – regulation – permitting- recording

• Do training, then no jobs for tribal members afterwards

• Getting the right person/people to attend trainings and meetings

• Cultural barriers – tribes have adapted to the “HUD house mentality.”

• Existing units are unsustainable – need to commit to fixing old houses (disposition

regulations, written for cities not tribes).

• House design focused geographically, culturally, climatically – commit to specific HUD

support. Make a new, full commitment that replaces the 1960s, 1970s homes.

• Lack of local plan –difficult to do relocation.

• Need master planning. Allocate more funding for tribes to do their IHPs, so they can

develop comprehensive housing plans rather than just meet requirements for using

housing funds

• Transition from one “administration” to another – consistent voice; turnover of personnel

at key tribal agencies/positions and Federal agencies

• Short-term versus long-term focus; incentives to tribes to look long term at materials, etc; i.e., fewer restrictions on design, mandated materials, “low bid” mentality – want housing

to have more durable life cycle, educating the public about the short term cost vs. the

long term savings and health benefit

• Land issues: ownership and land is available for development (including environmental).

Politics within communities among Village Corporations, tribes and cities limit the land

for sale, because they don’t work together to get more housing, no one wants to sell land.

Funding to consolidate fractional heirship interested on allotted reservations. Also lack of

space, needing to buy land

• Letting existing water/sewer/roads/electric limit sustainable development and creativity

• Need to meet with the community many times to get dialogue going and planning

developed, and travel to remote communities is very expensive.

• Institutional resources for research and development, need for data

• Lack of consensus building

• Using traditional methods and incorporating modern technology or vice versa

• Perception that going back to traditional ways is a step back to poverty

• Council and Board education and buy-in

36

• Manpower – not enough maintenance workers; sometimes bring in workers from other

areas, which increases cost

• Planning design is very important to avoid later problems

• Residents not knowing benefits of energy efficient retrofits/behavior change

• Existing dispersed housing developments

• There is not always a need for housing where Tribal Council members want it; i.e.,

politics

• Green building: need to clearly demonstrate benefits of sustainable housing to decision-

makers

• Multiple environmental review requirements

• Lack of cooperation with adjacent communities

• Federal, state, local housing funding should have tribal set-aside based on formula

• Transportation

• Location

• Building cycle

• Myths

• The cost placed on the homeowner for replacement materials or products for energy

efficient building

• Availability of energy efficient products in rural areas

• Cultural/traditional long-term cost

• Floor plans –barriers to using new designs – new generation homeowners not accepting

anything less than grandpa’s house

• Budget restraints

• Resident Investment-ownership: someone else is paying for it so not as invested in

making changes. There is a cost to investing in housing and energy. Homeowner buy in is

needed.

• Green Building is perceived as a luxury or a fad

• Quality vs. Quantity (better to do more or to do it better?)

• The initial cost vs. the Life Cycle cost. Big initial investments which will pay off in the

long run.

• Getting information to the tribes about industry financing vs. government financing

• Limited number of native architects/culturally relevant/sensitive green design

• Leadership priorities - regulation and banking not going well together

• Appraisal Value - For example, getting an appraiser out to a location can be costly

• Fragmentation within the tribe (ownership/responsibility)

• Availability and development of green building codes

• Standardization of rules and regulations and processes across agencies

• Tribal empowerment - lack knowledge of exercising their sovereignty; they don't know

they have the ability to legislate in that area.

• Agencies don’t always incentivize green building.

• Remoteness, especially in Alaska. Sometime the infrastructure does not exist

• The number of tribes and the diversity of tribes

• The large number of tribes and the limited number of Federal staff

• Coordination with tribal groups/NGO's is not as good as it could be

37

• Cost - such as the impact of Total Development Cost, Dealing with small tribes is not

cost efficient. COSTS AND FUNDING

• Quality Assurance

• Tribal capacity - turn over, knowledge sharing and transfer. Change in leadership, short

staffed.

• Dissemination of information during digital age

• Lack of physical housing inventory

• Construction time and the availability of contractors.

• Okay to go “deeper green” - the cutting edge in green building construction

Results of Dot Ballot Voting

General construction issues (red dots)

The five impediments that received the most votes included:

• Lack of money/flow of funds (9 votes)

• Tribal capacity – turnover, knowledge sharing and transfer. Change in leadership, short-

staffed. (7 votes)

• Land issues (9 votes)

• Short-term versus long-term focus (6 votes)

• Fragmentation within the tribe (ownership/responsibility)(5 votes)

Green issues (green dots)

The major categories that emerged from voting on specific barriers included:

• Building codes (21 votes)

• Costs/funding (16 votes)

• Capacity building (15 votes)

• Planning (15 votes)

• Benefit analysis (8 votes)

• Infrastructure (6 votes)

One participant noted that there are some issues the group can impact and others that are harder to impact, e.g., staff turnover. She suggested a focus on issues that the group can address.

Bridging the Gap (Solutions)

Capacity building

• Expand the services provided by NGOS that give interim support.

• Develop the capacity of CDCs because there are not enough groups that have this

capacity.

• Develop the number of Native CDCs with capacity to serve Native communities.

38

Building codes

• Develop matrix of funding sources to tribes.

• Develop new green building standards. Participants think we should talk about standards

rather than a code. Tribes can develop their own standards/policies that are more stringent

than state codes.

• Have one, consistent income limit for all programs (several think this is true for all

construction).

• Tribal policy.

• Adopt incentives that encourage tribes to implement green practices/ meet green

standards.

• Adopt International Building Code (IBC) customized by individual tribes.

• Pick standards that you particularly want to emphasize, e.g., stand up to a particular wind

speed. But need to be cautious because don’t want to discourage building because of too

stringent standards.

Planning

• Provide initial planning for tribes

• Education – identify funding for planning:

o Let tribes know that they can use planning under ICDBG

o Let tribes know that there are regional planning commissions that can help them

do comprehensive planning

o Can access EDA public works planning grants

o Can get other grants to do planning, e.g., new Native American Business

Development Initiative grant

o ANA

o Green PDR – can provide assistance to tribes to identify funding sources

o NAIHC – training on development/financing

• Cross-agency training and training at the tribal level to educate groups about the types of

assistance that are available

o Native Learning Center

o NAIHC provides classes and also provides direct TA to tribes

o Mayor’s Institute on Urban Design – do tribal version

Benefit Analysis – Resident and Community Education

• Because of turnover, need to do this “over and over and over again.” Have to repeat

education/training regularly because energy is not at the top of their radar screen. The

training is more effective when you get a group of people in a given tribe together for a

several day training because there is critical mass and the knowledge is sustainable. This

is much more effective than having only one person from a tribe attend a regional

training. You need a champion to lead the charge, and the champion can be a housing

authority director.

Costs/Funding

• Focus on smaller items as a step toward going green.

• Education on the life-cycle costs; Daniel Glenn – HUD needs to reevaluate TDC to

incorporate lifecycle costs; educate tribes on ability to get a waiver and go above TDC

39

• Education about the benefit to other programs – for example, healthier buildings will

reduce health care costs

• Use creative financing – use other sources in addition to HUD funds – do better job of

leveraging funding

• Cost-benefit analysis tools – see payoff of putting in different energy efficiency options –

see return on investment (ROI) of different options

• Tax benefits, e.g., of solar

• Health benefits/impact on health

• Cultural relevance

• Insurance reduction -- Convince insurance companies that building green homes will

save them a great amount of money. Fireman’s Fund (offers discount for LEED home),

Farmer’s Insurance of Los Angeles and Fireman’s Fund (provides eco-rebuild options)

• Train appraisers -- Get appraisers to recognize additional value to a home that has green

features

• Educate local lenders about value of green building

• Cost-benefit analysis (“What if matrix”)

Demonstrate benefits of sustainable housing to decision makers

• Assessment of existing stock that identifies shortcomings

• Comparison of green project to other homes – do as baseline (not ongoing)

• Look at best practices in tribal housing

• Lots of these analyses have been done for non-tribal developments – perhaps adapt these

• Have a tribal version of the DOE’s Solar Decathlon featuring solar (or other renewable

energy heated) homes built at tribal colleges.

Quality versus Quantity

• Perception change – show them tribes who have done it well/models

• Offer incentive/rebates

Paramount to this effort – need to change how homeowners perceive housing. How can housing

providers change homeowners’ attitudes and behaviors?

Coordination/Collaboration/Improvement: How do different agencies improve how they

work together to accomplish goals?

• Find right person to provide TA

• Coordinate/schedule meetings better rather than have multiple meetings with tribes

• Coordinate among agencies about outreach schedules –align agency visits

• More local training – get more tribal areas together

• Do a joint project – agencies work together on, e.g., master plan

• Clearinghouse of meetings

• Interagency meetings

40

APPENDIX B: ORIGINAL INVITEES

Govern-

Name and title

Organization and address

mental

Invitees

1 Winter

Jojola-Talburt,

Electrical

DOI, Office of Indian

Engineer

Energy and Economic

Development

2 Rebecca Halloran, Presidential

HUD, Office of Native American

Management Fellow

Programs

3 Lizana Pierce, Administrator

DOE Tribal Energy Program

4 Tedd Buelow, Native American

US Department of Agriculture

Specialist

5 Brian Gillen, Region V Sustainability

Eastern/Woodlands ONAP

Officer

6 Randy Akers, Administrator

Northern Plains ONAP

7 Lisa Stewart, Grants Management

Northwest ONAP

Specialist, or Tom Carney, GM Director

8 Michelle Tinnin, Native American

Southern Plains ONAP

Program Specialist

9 Carolyn J O'Neil, Administrator

Southwest ONAP

10 Jed Harrison, Tribal Program Advisor

EPA

11 Carrie Nelson, Low-Income

Bonneville Power Administration

Weatherization for Tribes

12 Cynthia Kitchens, SWT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

13 Martin Nee, Division Director

HUD Healthy Homes

14 Dana Baer, Assistant Program Director, Indian Health Service

or Gordon Delchamps, General

Engineer

15 Evangeline Campbell, Program

Department of Labor Indian and

Manager

Native American Program

16 David Vought, Native American

HUD Alaska ONAP

Programs Specialist

41

NGO

Name and title

Organization and address

Invitees

1 Stewart

Sarkozy-Banoczy,

HUD PD&R IPI (formerly of Oweesta)

Director

2 Russell D Kaney, Sr. Program

Enterprise Community Partners

Director

3 Charles Anderson, Training & TA National American Indian Housing Council

Specialist

4 Katherine (Katie) Hoyt,

National Congress of American Indians

Legislative Fellow

5 Judith Grunau, Architectural

Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Designer/Program Manager

6 Tony Monroe, Board Member

Green Native Council

7 Jon Panamaroff, Executive

Oweesta

Director

8 Dr. Holly YoungBear-Tibbetts,

College of Menominee Nation

Dean, External Relations

9 Lacey Gaechter, Assistant

trees, water & people

National Director

10 Holly Tiger Bowers, Executive

Native Learning Center

Director

11 Colleen Steele, Executive

Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial Inc.

Director

12 Zoe LeBeau, Sr. Program

Corporation for Supportive Housing,

Manager

American Indian Supportive Housing

Initiative (AISHI)

13 Cindy Owings, Executive

Red Feather Development Group

Director

14 Tanya Fiddler, Executive

Four Bands Community Fund

Director, also on Native CDFI

board

42

15 Greg Bland, Director

Travois Environmental Services

16 Hazel James, Executive Director

Indigenous Communities Enterprises

(works with Navajo Nation)

17 Billie Spurlin, Executive Director

Salt River Financial Services Institution

Dorothy Stoneman, President,

and Kim Phinney, Director Rural

18 and Tribal Development Youthbuild

43

Coordination Name and title

Organization and address

Meeting

1 Rick M. Garcia

Denver Regional Office

Regional Administrator

HUD

2 Rebecca Halloran, Presidential

HUD OLG, on rotation with

Management Fellow

the DOE's Tribal Energy

Program

3 Lizana Pierce

Tribal Energy Program

Director

Department of Energy

4 Tedd Buelow

US Department of

Native American Specialist

Agriculture

5 Charles Anderson, Training & TA

National American Indian

Specialist

Housing Council

6 Phil Bush, Director

Nevada-California Indian

Housing Association

7 Russell Kaney, Sr. Program Director

Enterprise Community

Partners

8 Judy Romann, Construction Projects

Northwest Indian Housing

Coordinator, and/or Annette Bryan,

Association (NWIHA)

Executive Director

9 Evangeline Campbell, Program Manager

Department of Labor

Indian and Native American

Program (INAP) TEAM

10 Jon Panamaroff, Executive Director

Oweesta

9 Sabrina Stephens and another SPIHA

Southern Plains Indian

director

Housing Association

10 Dan Duame, Board President

Association of Alaska

Housing Authorities and

Aleutian Housing Authority

11 Kitcki Carroll, Director

United South and Eastern

Tribes

12 Jed Harrison, Tribal Program Advisor [or

Environmental Protection

Alfreda Mitre, EPA Region 8, Tribal

Agency (EPA)

Assistance Programs]

44

13 Winter

Jojola-Talburt, Engineer, or

DOI/BIA

Payton Batliner, Program Specialist

Michael Chavez, President

Southwest Indian Housing

14

Assn

Dana Baer, Assistant Program Director,

Indian Health Service

15 or Gordon Delchamps, General Engineer

16 Steven Golubic, National Tribal Liaison

FEMA

17 Rodger Boyd, Deputy Assistant Secretary HUD ONAP

18 Roger Taylor, Tribal Energy Program

DOE NREL

19 Martin Nee, Division Director

HUD Healthy Homes

David Vought, Native American

Alaska ONAP

Programs Specialist

20

Brian Gillen

Eastern/Woodlands ONAP

21

Native Programs Specialist, Region V

Sustainability Officer

22 Randy Akers

Northern Plains ONAP

Administrator

23 Lisa Stewart, Grants Management

Northwest ONAP

Specialist, or Tom Carney, GM Director

24 Michelle Tinnin

Southern Plains ONAP

Native American Program Specialist

25 Carolyn J O'Neil

Southwest ONAP

Administrator

45

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-1:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-1

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Rehabilitating Housing to Incorporate Lower-Cost

Sustainability Measures

Cocopah

Indian Tribe

“Better housing is one of the most basic and important

improvements we can make in peoples’ lives, and the jobs this

creates won’t be the only benefit the community sees from this

project.”

- Arizona Congressman Raul M. Grijalva

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Increasing the number of tribal members

Summary

3

living on the reservation by retrofitting

Rehabilitation and Climate

5

and renovating existing housing to

Community Involvement

5

improve housing conditions and decrease

Utility Company Opportunities

6

energy costs.

Project Summary

8

Best Practices

9

Solution

Next

Steps

11

How To Get Started

12

Upgrading three existing apartment

buildings with largely low-cost solutions

Funding

so they become an affordable, energy-

efficient model project in the community.

Activity

Funding Source

Community Snapshot

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Location: Lying 13 miles south of Yuma,

Housing Preservation Grant

Arizona, the Cocopah Indian

Tribe reservation takes in

Rehabilitation of

6,500 acres, is divided into

three buildings

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

with 24 units

Development (HUD) Indian Community

three noncontiguous areas,

total

Development Block Grant

and borders Mexico along the

Colorado River.

HUD Native American Housing Assistance

Location type: Rural/agricultural

and Self Determination Act

Population: The Cocopah Indian Tribe has

approximately 816 members.

Map

Climate: Desert climate with extremely

hot summers and warm winters.

Extremely sunny, the area

receives an average of 3 inches

of rain annually. (Köppen

classification: BWh)

Critical Sustainable

Technologies and Strategies

SOMERTON

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

• Double-paned low-emissivity (low-e)

windows

• Energy-efficient air conditioners

• Sustainable roofs

• Faucet aerators and low-flow

showerheads

• Upgraded water heaters

• Energy Star appliances

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

The Cocopah Indian Tribe seeks to encourage

tribal members to stay on-reservation and to

encourage members living off-reservation to

return by providing affordable, safe, decent,

and sanitary housing for all. To assist with this

goal, Cocopah Indian Housing and Development

(CIHAD) has been implementing affordable,

energy-efficient changes to its older housing for

the past 10 years. CIHAD Chief Executive Officer

Michael Reed takes a commonsense approach to

sustainability and cost savings: as old systems

and appliances wear out, replace them with

more sustainable products. Under the dry, hot

CIHAD corporate office, Somerton, AZ

desert conditions of the Cocopah reservation,

they may wear out sooner than a system’s

normal anticipated life span.

Currently, CIHAD is rehabilitating three two-story garden apartment buildings that have a total of 24

apartments. The apartment buildings, built in 2003, share a site with a community building and parking area.

CIHAD plans to upgrade these

buildings as a sustainable, energy-

efficient, affordable model project

in the community. It is replacing

lighting, water fixtures and fittings,

appliances, air conditioning, and

windows, and is making other

changes. To carry out this work,

CIHAD has added a new partner

to the mix: its utility provider. The

Tribe worked with Arizona Power

Service (APS) to take advantage

of an incentive program which

Multifamily apartment rehabilitation project

provided free compact fluorescent

lamps (CFLs), faucet aerators, and

low-flow showerheads. In addition,

it worked with building residents

and APS to receive utility cost data from a 12-month period for one of the buildings. The data were analyzed to create a cost and usage baseline that will help guide future energy-efficiency strategy decisions. Reed said, “It is too soon now to see if we have cost savings and how much. We have a baseline and in a year we will see if electricity use has improved.”

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The following chart describes the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Sustainable

Technologies

What Is It?

Effect

Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of

CFLs are made of glass tubes filled with gas and

the fastest ways to cut energy bills. CFLs last

Compact fluorescent

a small amount of mercury (100 times less than

about 10 times longer and use about 75% less

lamps (CFLs)

a thermometer). The mercury emits an invisible

energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. A

ultraviolet light that becomes visible when it hits

typical CFL can pay for itself in energy savings

the white coating inside the CFL.

in less than 9 months and can continue to cut

energy costs each month.

Low-e windows typically cost about 10% to

Low-e, or low thermal emissivity, windows have

15% more than regular windows according to

Low-e windows

a coating on the glazing or glass that absorbs,

the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), but they

reflects, and emits low levels of radiant thermal

may reduce energy loss by as much as 50%. The

(heat) energy depending on the weather.

greatest savings tend to come from areas with

hot summers, cold winters, or both.

Energy-efficient air

The efficiency of air conditioners is often rated

conditioning (high

by the SEER defined by the Air Conditioning,

High-efficiency air conditioners result in

Seasonal Energy

Heating and Refrigeration Institute. The higher

lower monthly energy bills and often include

Efficiency Ratio

the unit’s SEER rating the more energy efficient

additional energy-saving features.

or SEER)

it is.

Various factors such as the thickness of

These shingle roofs are intended to last for a

Sustainable roofs

the shingle, the materials from which it is

longer time than their 10-15 year predecessors.

(30-year shingles)

manufactured, and the amount of asphalt used

This is both financially and environmentally

determine the length of warranty on the shingle.

desirable.

The aerators use 1.5 gallons per minute, or 31%

less water than a standard faucet. The low-

flow showerheads use 1.5 gallons per minute,

Faucet aerators

Aerators use specialized airflow regulators to

20% less water than standard showerheads,

and low-flow

mix water and air to reduce water flow while

according to the Arizona Power Service (APS).

showerheads

increasing pressure. Low-flow showerheads also

significantly reduce water flow.

By using a lower flow faucet, less energy is used

for heating hot water for everyday use. APS

estimates that $246 in utility bills and 8,212

gallons of water per year will be saved.

The products save money and protect the

Energy Star appliances are independently

environment. For example, replacing a 1980s

Energy Star

certified through a program of the U.S.

model refrigerator with an Energy Star version

appliances

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

could save $100 a year in total energy costs.

and the DOE.

Replacing a clothes washer could save as much

as $110 a year.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Rehabilitation and Climate

In recent years, CIHAD has been renovating tribal homes with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. Fifty of the “oldest and most in need” homes on the reservation received major rehabilitation, including new roof shingles, heat/

air conditioning systems, ductwork, floors, baseboards, exterior and interior doors, security screen doors, 200-amp electrical systems, dual-pane windows, and exterior and interior paint, according to an article in the Yuma Sun. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades involved installing new appliances, cabinets, countertops, vanities, showers, towel bars, medicine cabinets, exhaust fans, toilets, and plumbing.

Currently, CIHAD is undertaking rehabilitation on three garden-style apartment buildings that were built in 2003. Each all-electric building has eight units (four two-bedroom and four three-bedroom units), and split-system electric heat pumps (which include cooling systems). Each building is 8,523 square feet, with apartments ranging from 855 to 1,107 square feet. On the same lot are a community building with a common laundry area and parking.

Temperatures of up to 124 °F and the hot summer sun can shorten the lifespan of some materials and appliances. Some of the first upgrades the CIHAD maintenance team is making to the three buildings—

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) 14 air conditioners and 30-year shingles on the roof (rather than the old 10-15 year shingles)—should help

Glass Surface

with cooling. The region also has hard water, which

1 2

3 4

causes deterioration in the water heaters. As these

water heaters give out, they are being upgraded to

11/16” O.A.

more energy-efficient models.

Interior

Neutral color Low-E

Windows were added into the mix when they

on glass surface 2

began to experience problems. CIHAD will replace

windows in all three buildings with double-paned,

low-e models, which will come at a cost of $1,480

per apartment. The Tribe anticipates that replacing

the lighting, windows, stoves, and refrigerator will

Intercept® Spacer

take 18 months. An additional benefit of the project

Double-paned, low-e window diagram

is that CIHAD’s own staff, more than one-half of

whom are tribal members, will conduct the work.

Community Involvement

CIHAD held two public meetings at the complex to

inform tenants about the planned changes to the

windows and lighting. CIHAD staff are also walking

tenants through these changes as they install new

windows, CFLs, and lighting fixtures, and make more

renovations in the apartments.

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Utility Company Opportunities

Utility companies are motivated to encourage smart energy use and energy efficiency to provide more consistent, efficient, and cost-effective power. Companies such as APS offer free or low-cost energy-efficiency services, incentive programs, and rebates to their customers. Tribes sometimes may be hesitant to reach out to utility company programs, but as paying customers of a utility, tribes, tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), or tribal housing residents (depending on who pays the utility bills) may have access to a range of programs and incentives.

Many utilities offer energy-efficiency assessment

services. APS offers a Multifamily Energy Efficiency

Program that provides eligible building owners

a free onsite energy assessment to identify quick

areas of upgrade for energy savings, free energy cost

reduction measures (ECRMs), and technical and field

support to assist with installation. In May 2012, the

Tribe requested an onsite energy assessment of one

of its buildings. APS conducted an assessment of the

eight apartments’ lighting and water features. APS

Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators

installed the following ECRMs at no cost:

• 24 kitchen faucet aerators and 36 bathroom faucet aerators.

• 38 low-flow showerheads.

• 360 CFLs.

Other utility companies may partner with HVAC consultants

to offer thorough energy assessments. The HVAC consultant

observes the housing from top to bottom, noting features

from insulation levels to water heater age and model. These

assessments likely have an associated fee (although less

than would be charged without the program) and come with

recommendations that the utility may assist in funding.

Most commonly, utilities provide their customers with

rebates. The occupant or TDHE purchases a qualified heating

and cooling system or appliance. It then submits paperwork

including a receipt to receive a cash rebate.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Benchmarking is a method that facilitates energy

accounting, comparing a facility’s energy use with

that of similar facilities to assess opportunities for

improvement and quantify energy savings. Because

CIHAD tenants pay their own APS electric bills with a

utility allowance provided by the housing department,

CIHAD initially did not have access to usage data for its

buildings. Each tenant household provided APS with a

signed release form, enabling APS to send CIHAD cost

and kilowatt-usage data for the period of 1 year.

A HUD Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

(SCinIC) initiative team including the University of

Illinois Urbana Champaign Building Research Council

conducted a comprehensive energy analysis of the eight

units of Building B, one of the three garden apartment

buildings, for the 2011 calendar year. The SCinIC team

plugged those figures into a modeling program to

Apartment building electricity meters

calculate a baseline usage for the building and to make

recommendations for ECRMs. CIHAD can also use this

initial baseline to measure its success in reducing energy usage and cost in future years.

APS also offers renewable energy incentive programs,

including photovoltaic array and solar domestic hot

water incentive programs; these are not available to the

CIHAD, but to individual customers. Program members

can also participate in APS’ net metering program. In

this program, if the renewable resource produces more

power than is needed for the home, the electricity is fed

back into the power grid and the participant’s utility

account is credited.

Solar domestic hot water

Photovoltaic (PV) array

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PROjECT NAME: Multifamily Buildings

LOCATION: Somerton, Arizona

TIMELINE: 2011 though present

PROjECT TyPE: Multifamily apartment rehabilitation

Project Key Features

• Free incentives from the local utility company.

• Individual heat pumps.

Thirty-year shingles

• Associated community building.

• Common laundry area.

Key Sustainable Elements

• CFLs.

• Low-e windows.

• High-SEER air conditioning.

• Thirty-year shingles.

• Faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.

• Upgraded water heaters.

• Energy Star appliances.

Low-e windows

• Benchmarking.

High SEER air conditioning

88

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Best Practices

CIHAD has focused its initial energy-

efficiency upgrades on the most affordable

strategies—but these upgrades can have major

consequences for a housing authority’s or an

occupant’s bottom line.

The SCinIC energy assessment report compared

Thirty-year shingles

cost and kilowatt usage for incandescent

lighting and CFLs. It estimated that the building

would save $282 annually through this simple

upgrade. The cost of interior lighting with

incandescents in one apartment building was

estimated at about 21 percent of the building’s

total costs. The upgrade to CFLs, even when

factoring in the cost of the CFLs, is estimated to

pay for itself in less than 18 months and to save the building 2,171 kilowatts annually. (In this case, CIHAD

did not have to purchase 360 CFLs because of its participation in the APS program.)

Low-e windows

CFL Lighting upgrade

Annual Savings per building

Kilowatts

Dollars

Percent of

Cost of

Energy

Installation

Simple Payback

2,171

$282

3%

$395

1.4 years

High SEER air conditioning

CIHAD also had bathroom and kitchen aerators, and low-flow showerheads installed through the APS

program. These items are not costly. Aerators cost between $5 and$10 each and less expensive low-flow showerheads between $15 and $50, but they can also bring in big savings. According to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program, the average household spends as much as $500 per year on water and sewer bills and can save about $170 per year by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

CIHAD is replacing refrigerators, air conditioners, and water heaters as they wear out. Refrigerators consume the most energy of all household appliances because they operate 24 hours a day. The units’ original refrigerators (1995 models) are estimated to cost $112 annually to run, compared with only $51 annually for an equivalent new Energy Star model. This upgrade could save each tenant $61 per year.

Refrigerator upgrade

Annual Savings per building

Kilowatts

Dollars

Percent of

Cost of

Energy

Installation

Simple Payback

3,754

$488

6%

$3200

6.56 years

By starting with less expensive changes and replacing systems as they

wear out, CIHAD and its residents can expect to see some quick return

on their investment with cost and energy savings.

Energy Star replacement

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Next Steps

The Tribe has been renovating homes on the reservation for the past 10 years. The original focus of the current retrofitting project was three apartment buildings, but now the Tribe plans to make the same energy-efficient improvements to the remainder of its housing.

Many of the changes CIHAD is making to the three garden apartment buildings are the most affordable, quickest return options, but it is also considering more extensive sustainable upgrades for the future.

According to Reed, although CIHAD is currently installing a 30-year upgraded shingle roof, it is looking at more expensive/durable roofs for the future, although “we’re not there yet.” CIHAD is also looking at solar panels for existing projects. Reed noted CIHAD is using the current projects as a pilot “to see if we break even.”

The SCinIC report recommended adding window shading to the exterior of the building, protecting windows and apartments from the sun. Although this upgrade was estimated to cost about $2,000 per building, it had an anticipated payback time of slightly more than 8 years and an estimated annual utility cost savings of about $242.

CIHAD also is planning to include sustainable features in their new construction. It is submitting plans to Indian Community Development Block Grant to add infrastructure for two new homes on the North Reservation—and, in the long run, will seek funding for 14 homes on the lots. In the proposed rental housing units, Reed said, “We will do everything we can—lighting, higher R-factor walls, high SEER, nice 30-year roofs, stucco,” depending on available funding. He also noted that CIHAD may choose totally different options in the future. For example, he said, “I like the idea of not having a hot water heater because water is so poor here, so we are open to other options.” CIHAD will continue to apply for a variety of federal and state grants as they become available to continue financing its sustainable rehabilitation projects.

For more information:

Dr. Michael Reed

Chief Executive Officer

Cocopah Indian Housing and Development

10488 W. Steamboat Street

Somerton, AZ 85350

ceomr@ontherez.org

928-627-8863

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about utility program incentives and energy-efficient lighting, appliances, benchmarking, and the energy assessment report, check out these resources.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency on utility company and other incentives: http://www.dsireusa.org/

EPA on energy efficient improvements, including low-e windows:

http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ReduceEnergy.htm

EPA on CFLs:

http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/

Energy Star on appliances:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products

Energy Efficiency Evaluation and Recommendations: 14380 S. Farm Road Multifamily Housing

http://www.huduser.org/portal/SCinIC/EnergyAssessment_Cocopah11_28.pdf

APS:

http://www.aps.com/

DOE and EPA Energy Star on benchmarking for multifamily housing programs:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=multifam_housing.bus_multifam_housing

CIHAD:

http://www.ontherez.org/

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Some photos, tables, and renderings courtesy of CIHAD and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Building Research Council.

Produced May 2013

12

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-2:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-2

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Moving Toward Sustainable Design and

Homeownership Despite Emergency Circumstances

Native Village of

Kwinhagak

“We are among the most poverty stricken communities in

rural Alaska. It is imperative to me that we find energy

efficient, more durable, and affordable housing that will last.

I am hopeful and excited to see how these new energy efficient

designs will hold up over time.”

- John O. Mark, Native Village of Kwinhagak Tribal President

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Providing new, sustainable opportunities

Summary

3

for homeownership and replacing 55

Planning

5

units of housing that has emergency-level

Construction Challenges

6

structural damage, overcrowding, and

Design Adaptations

6

extremely high utility costs.

Project Summary

8

Timeline

8

Solution

Best

Practices

10

Next

Steps

11

The Kwinhagak Work Group, established

How To Get Started

12

at the request of U.S. Senator Mark

Begich, is pursuing a pilot self-help model

Funding

homeownership program with sustainably

designed housing.

Activities

Funding Sources

Community Snapshot

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Location: Less than 1 mile from the Bering

Demolition and

Development (HUD) Indian Community

Sea, 70 miles south of Bethel,

disposal of materials

Development Block Grant (ICDBG)

Imminent Threat Grant

Alaska

Location type: Remote, rural

Purchase of

Population: 800

deteriorated houses

ICDBG 2011

Household size: 4.05 (compared with the

from homeowners

Alaska average of 2.65 and

the Bethel average of 3.09)

Construction

Title VI loan, donations, Indian Housing

Climate: Wet, with 11,700 heating degree

Block Grant

days in Alaska for 2011; cool

U.S. Department of Agriculture Section

summers (41 ˚F to 57 ˚F) and cold

Mortgage products

502 Loan Guarantee Program and HUD

winters (6 ˚F to 24 ˚F) (Köppen

Section 184 Loan Guarantee program

classification Dfc).

Critical Sustainable

Map

Technologies and Strategies

• Quinhagak wall

• Vented airspaces

• Mold-resistant materials

• Heat Recovery Ventilator

• Floating-raft foundation

• Spray-foam envelope insulation

• Energy-efficient electrical appliances and

lighting

• Octagonal design that addresses cultural

and climate requirements

• Integrated “whole-house” truss

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

In 2009, the Native Village of Kwinhagak (NVK), 70 miles

south of Bethel, Alaska, and less than 1 mile from the Bering

Sea, was in a difficult situation. Not only were many of its

young families unable to find homes, but also 55 out of

NVK’s 160 houses were severely deteriorated because of

frequent battering by harsh wind, rain, and storms. NVK

declared a housing emergency.

Native Village of Kwinhagak

First priorities involved securing funds for demolition,

cleanup, site control, and new construction. The community

determined it needed homes that were more durable and

energy efficient than the conventional housing style it had been using. NVK invited representatives from the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) to conduct charrettes and develop a culturally appropriate prototype. This house, known as the Quinhagak prototype, was completed in 2010.

In the 2012 building season, community leaders

decided on an ambitious plan: NVK would continue

to build the multisided Quinhagak house, with

its proven energy efficiency, but also add a more

conventional-looking, but still energy-efficient,

rectangular house. Both designs incorporate critical

sustainable technologies and strategies. These

technologies include a monolithic thermal envelope,

vented airspaces, mold-resistant and lightweight

materials, Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs), and

Quinhagak prototype

energy-efficient electric appliances and lighting.

The designs meet the community’s and designers’

goals of lowering annual fuel usage, addressing

moisture and mold conditions, decreasing shipping

expenses, and facilitating construction assembly

without heavy equipment. The Quinhagak design

also addresses a cultural preference for an open floor

plan and includes an arctic entrance large enough to

process wild foods.

To finance the large-scale replacement, NVK leveraged

existing housing funds with other resources. It is in

the process of implementing a mortgage program that

will allow for a self-help program, whereby families

Open floor plan

will contribute labor.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The following chart describes the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Sustainable

Technologies

What Is It?

Effect

A continuous monolithic thermal envelope

that includes 3-inch thermal breaks in walls

Water- and wind-resistant, spray-foam

and 4-inch thermal breaks in the foundation.

thermal envelope eliminates thermal

Quinhagak wall

The walls and exterior siding are constructed

conduction; use of lightweight plastic and

of lightweight materials. The exterior wall

metal aids in shipping and construction. The

is covered with foam insulation to create an

Insulation rating is R-40.

envelope with no gaps.

Ventilation is created in spaces between trusses

Vented airspaces

and roof sheathing. The roof is insulated to a rat-

This system creates a necessary drainage

ing of about R-50.

plane and drying path.

These materials include AC plywood and metal

In this a very damp location, these materials

Antimold materials

studs and joists. No gypsum wall board is used in

avoid mold growth, which can cause

the assembly.

deterioration and unhealthy living conditions.

This mechanical ventilation system uses blow-

Heat Recovery

ers to pull cold outside air into the house, warm

HRV provides fresh air, which is critical in

Ventilator (HRV)

it with existing heated inside air through an

air-to-air heat exchanger, and distribute fresh air

very tightly sealed housing.

throughout the house.

Adjustable raised

Rigid frame foundations with spray foam-embed-

Spray foam provides water resistance, a ther-

foam-filled mat

ded metal joists are placed on an overbuilt gravel

mal barrier, and greater rigidity for the frame.

foundation

pad with adjustable post bases.

Adjustable post bases allow for changes in

leveling.

Spray foam insulation is used in walls, ceilings,

Spray foam insulation stops air and moisture

Spray foam

crawlspaces, and other parts of buildings. It seals

infiltration, making homes more comfortable,

insulation

heat inside during cold weather and does not

allow water to penetrate inside. Also reduces

energy efficient, and stable. This is a non-

shipping cost, as it is transported in liquid form.

toxic foam.

The lowered ratio means less surface area

exposed to the cold and wind compared with

Octagonal design

This design lessens surface area-to-volume ratio.

An arctic entry was also included.

a rectangular model of the same size. The

special entry improves heating efficiency and

protects the home from wet winds.

Whole-house or

A prefabricated structure wherein the walls,

This design can be raised in a day without

integrated truss

floor, and roof are designed as a single

a crane, decreases raw material use, and

component.

increases recycling.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Planning

NVK is near the coast of the Bering Sea and is frequently

battered by wind, rain, and heavy storms. Reports

found that 55 units—approximately one-third of the

community’s housing stock—suffered from extensive

mold and moisture deterioration. To address its short-

term needs, NVK applied for and received an Imminent

Threat Indian Community Development Block Grant to

perform emergency health repair and enable residents to

U.S. Senator Mark Begich inspects NVK homes

continue to live in their homes.

The community also faces high energy costs. NVK sought to develop a new housing model that was both more durable and more energy efficient. “The old buildings are so bad, it is hard to keep them warm,” said John Mark, NVK Tribal President. NVK approached CCHRC 4 years ago. “In year one, the goal was to build a single house—to come up with a model that would be energy efficient, stand up well against the elements, and fit into the culture,” said Jack Hebert, CCHRC President.

CCHRC conducted charrettes to determine what issues were

most important, including cultural elements, and to ensure

complete understanding of energy efficiency. Of about 800

tribal members, 60 to 100 attended.

Bill Marks, former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development staff member and consultant with NVK, recalled

that CCHRC separated men and women to capture different

Charrette with NVK tribal members

housing wishes. The women more often requested a nice

kitchen and study areas for the kids, whereas the men wanted

space to fix the snow machines. John Mark said, “We got great

input from those in attendance. People were put into small groups to tackle part of the bigger puzzle. Their task was to say what they thought and to answer questions about how best to resolve a problem.”

“The charrettes were helpful in getting everyone on board,” Bill Marks added. “Council members participated in the charrettes. When talk started about what kind of housing, people reminisced about the kinds of homes we used to have—circular in nature for keeping the home pleasantly heated. It was not hard to convince anyone because people understood the concept already. It was not a hard sell.”

Although the community was involved in the development process, reaction to the new design was mixed. Bill Marks said that some found “the idea was something of ‘Back to the Future’ …an octagonal house with a hole in the center of the roof for ventilation.” Regardless, the housing committee was on board and simply said,

“Now we have a design; let’s build a house!” The prototype was completed in 2010 and monitored during 2011 for energy usage.

For the 2012 season, the community discussed whether the prototype would be replicated. After a discussion of need, local climate, and energy costs with members of the younger and older generations, members of the NVK council (tribe), city of Quinhagak council (municipality), and Qanirtuuq, Inc. board (local corporation) decided to move forward with a plan for four octagonal and one rectangular houses.

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Construction Challenges

Procurement and transportation can raise significant

challenges in remote communities, where logistics

may amount to as much as 30 to 40 percent of the

building budget. NVK is not accessible by road. It may

be reached by airplane year round and by two to three

barges in the summer. Hébert said, “If you forget to

order a hammer and it doesn’t come on the barge,

then you have to pay to fly it in, and that is much more

costly.

Building materials arrive at Quinhagak Airport

When possible, the materials selected for these

energy-efficient houses are lightweight or may be

placed without need for a crane. Because procurement also takes time, planning 5 to 6 months in advance also helps keep costs down. “If you have to order something that has to be made or fabricated, you have to give enough lead time for these things to be built and then delivered to the barge. You have to be cognizant of the barge schedule. You can’t just call up a week before and order kitchen cabinets to come up on the June barge,” Hébert said.

In fact, in the 2012 building season, the NVK work crew framed and enclosed only three of the five houses it had hoped to construct, in part because of significant barge transportation issues. Because the materials for the additional houses are already onsite, the work crew will be able to start its 2013 building season early.

The building season also coincides with the traditional lifestyle calendar. For example, the first barge arrives in June, just as the salmon do. Construction in 2012 started at the beginning of moose and caribou hunting.

According to Hébert, “Knowing that the seasons (berry picking, salmon fishing, game hunting, etc.) are very important is essential when working with the villages. For us, it might seem very different culturally. We want to just push, push, and push all the time. We don’t understand why they are taking longer to complete something that in the lower 48 would be done much quicker. We have to look at things differently and respect that this is their cultural life and their livelihood."

He added, "This is true all over Indian Country. We have to understand that we cannot use our own filters to value one thing over another. For the village, subsistence and traditional life needs to take precedence over homebuilding.”

Design Adaptations

To withstand the wet, stormy, and cold climate, CCHRC developed several technologies. These were experiments and the interaction of a prototype house with both the climate and with occupants can lead to additional adaptations.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The first winter after construction in 2011, monitors evaluated the

octagonal prototype to show which elements worked and which

needed improvement. The only architectural change made to the

2012 octagonal houses was to the foundation. The prototype was

built on an insulated raft foundation sitting directly on the gravel pad.

The unstable soil thawed and heaved more

2012 Octagon house (left) & prototype

than originally anticipated, causing drainage

issues. The design was later modified to have

the foundation float just above the ground. This updated foundation uses off-the-

shelf components to create a foundation assembly that can be adjusted and releveled,

should doing so become necessary because of shifting of the pad.

The rectangular house design is also adapted from a prototype

home that CCHRC designed in Crooked Creek, Alaska. The design

shares many energy-efficient features with the octagonal house,

including spray-foam envelope; metal roofing; and triple-glazed,

low-e windows. A unique design feature is the “whole-house,” or

integrated truss construction; the structure of the walls, floor, and

roof are designed as a single component. The truss was constructed

Integrated truss construction

offsite (in Alaska) and can be assembled onsite in a day without

heavy machinery. Use of a prefabricated truss decreases the

amount of wood used and allows for increased recycling; this approach also decreases construction time and generally lowers costs. This house is easier to construct than the octagonal design, but it lacks the cultural tie-in to the community.

Both house designs are extremely energy efficient because of a

thermal envelope. In the Quinhagak house, the walls are constructed

of 4-inch metal studs, a 3.5-inchplastic spacer in the middle, and a

light-gauge angle iron that holds the siding 7.5 inches out from the

inside of the stud. The rectangular house walls are wood. In both, a

non-toxic soy-based spray foam is applied continuously inside the

exterior wall to create a wind- and water-resistant envelope that is

Thermal envelope construction

not drafty and requires little energy to heat.

Because NVK will need to build many additional houses, it decided to

invest in the specialized equipment and training to enable the work crew to

spray foam its own units in the future. This investment will add to in-house

capacity, cost savings, and control over the building schedule. Initially,

however, it was difficult to maintain the storage temperature needed keep

the spray foam usable and the equipment required more careful cleaning

Spray foam application

than anticipated leading to some equipment malfunctions.

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PROJECT NAME: Octagon houses

LOCATION: Quinhagak, Alaska

DESIgN/PLAN TEAM: Cold Climate Housing Research Center

TIMELINE: August 2012 through spring 2013

PROJECT TyPE: Single-family house

Project Key Features

Completed octagon house

• Gravel pad site- built-up gravel pad.

• Toyotomi OM-22 Oil Miser Direct Vent Oil Heating System.

• Backup wood stove.

• Half-roof trusses with metal hub connection.

Key Sustainable Elements

• Octagonal aerodynamic design.

• Venmar EKO HRV.

• Cultural open space and arctic opening design.

• Quinhagak wall.

• Floating-raft foundation.

• Triple-glazed low-e windows.

• LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL.

(compact fluorescent lamp) lighting.

• Energy-efficient appliances.

• Vented air spaces.

Multiple

Quinhagak

CCHRC developed

NVK demolishes

CCHRC visits

Interior work

reports find 55

(octagon)

its Crooked Creek

one unit and

to assist

on houses

units “severely

prototype

(Rectangle)

secures the site.

NVK.

continues over

compromised.”

completed.

prototype.

the winter.

2009

2010

2011

2012

NVK asks CCHRC

Data collected

NVK decides to

NVK carries out

NVK completes

to partner to

on octagon

build more octagon

health and

enclosure of 2

develop

prototype

and whole house

safety repairs

octagon and 1

prototype.

energy usage.

truss houses.

on 54 units.

rectangle house.

8

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PROJECT NAME: Rectangular house

LOCATION: Quinhagak, Alaska

DESIgN/PLAN TEAM: Cold Climate Housing Research Center

TIMELINE: August 2012 through spring 2013

PROJECT TyPE: Single-family house

Project Key Features

Rectangular house construction

• Gravel-pad site and elevated wood piling foundation.

• Toyotomi OM-22 Oil Miser Direct Vent Oil Heating System.

• Backup wood stove.

Key Sustainable Elements

• Whole-house truss.

• Venmar EKO HRV.

• Triple-glazed low-e windows.

• LED and CFL lighting.

• Energy-efficient appliances.

Multiple

Quinhagak

CCHRC developed

NVK demolishes

CCHRC visits

Interior work

reports find 55

(octagon)

its Crooked Creek

one unit and

to assist

on houses

units “severely

prototype

(Rectangle)

secures the site.

NVK.

continues over

compromised.”

completed.

prototype.

the winter.

2009

2010

2011

2012

NVK asks CCHRC

Data collected

NVK decides to

NVK carries out

NVK completes

to partner to

on octagon

build more octagon

health and

enclosure of 2

develop

prototype

and whole house

safety repairs

octagon and 1

prototype.

energy usage.

truss houses.

on 54 units.

rectangle house.

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Best Practices

Monitoring of the Quinhagak protype has shown it to be 80 percent

more efficient than previous housing, creating a significant savings

when fuel oil costs $7 to $8 a gallon. Hébert said, “This is not so much

a reflection of how intelligent we are but how bad the current housing

truly is.”

These houses have the potential to give NVK much greater control

over its budgets, utility costs, and even construction schedules.

Because the cutting-edge thermal spray-foam envelope used in both

housing designs is so energy efficient, the community can budget

better for its heating fuel usage. In 2012, severe weather caused

additional usage in the community that led to emergency shipments

of fuel at even higher prices. The spray-foam envelope also lowers

costs for residents, who can put the extra savings into a mortgage.

The use of a spray-foam envelope and other mold-resistant materials

should increase the durability of the housing, enabling it to withstand

Spray foam insulation

the weather in NVK. Prospective homeowners are more likely to

accept mortgage payments when they can count on their homes

outlasting the mortgages.

The lightweight construction means that NVK does not need to bring in cranes and, with careful planning, that some transportation costs can be lowered. As NVK develops its internal capacity in skilled areas such as spray foaming, it will not need to adjust its construction schedule to accommodate specialists and can save costs. These considerations are important, considering the number of units that are needed in the community.

To build capacity of its work crew, NVK

sent three crew members to specialized

technology training. For the five houses

NVK is currently building, it has needed

to bring in only three outside workers: an

electrician, a plumber, and a contractor for

the foam insulation. NVK saves the cost

of additional specialists, transportation,

housing, and per diem. This capacity

building at the village level is an important

benefit to the community and financial

stimulus for the local economy.

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Next Steps

In the coming years, NVK needs to move from prototypes to 100 new homes to meet its housing need, addressing not only substandard units but overcrowding and the growing population of young families needing homes. With the successful sale of all the units already constructed by NVK, the community has seen firsthand that purchasing homes outright is possible. Thus, the number of families hoping to take advantage of new construction and the self-help concept has increased.

The self-help program will involve residents assisting with construction under the supervision of the skilled workers. To date, this component has not been implemented because many of the construction crews have been learning the basics.

The self-help program also involves the introduction of mortgages. Villagers are not accustomed to paying more than $150 a month for their homes; thus, challenges will likely be associated with this process. The Tribe applied for a rural development grant with a 1.0- to 1.5-percent interest rate, requiring families to make $500

to $800 monthly mortgage payments. Education and discussions will be required to teach tribal members how they might save through energy-efficient homes, freeing up money for these payments.

NVK is exploring the feasibility of constructing its own trusses in a former fish-processing plant or other protected location. Work crews could build trusses during the slower winter months, increasing winter employment opportunities, decreasing shipping costs (and eliminating damage caused by shipping), and ultimately enabling NVK to get a jump on its next building season.

For more information:

John Mark

Tribal President

Native Village of Kwinhagak

P.O. Box 149

Quinhagak, AK 99655

jmark.nvk@gmail.com

907-556-8165

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To get Started

To learn more about the prototype designs, HRVs, Toyotomi systems, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances, check out these resources.

CCHRC, prototype octagonal Quinhagak house:

http://www.cchrc.org/quinhagak-prototype-home.

CCHRC, Crooked Creek prototype house:

http://cchrc.org/crooked-creek-prototype-home\.

The National Association of Home Builders’ toolbase.org onHRVs:

http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/HVAC/energy-recovery-ventilators.

Toyotomi OM-22:

http://www.toyotomiusa.com/products/laserventedheaters/OM-22.php.

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star on energy-efficient lighting and appliances:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=next_generation.ng_ee_light_app.

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Some photos courtesy of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC).

Produced May 2013

12

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-3:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-3

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Addressing Housing and Financial Need Through

Sustainable Housing Improvements

Mississippi Band of

Choctaw Indians

“The goal is to help every family achieve the American dream

of owning their own home and driving their own destiny.”

-Eric Willis, Executive Director, Choctaw Housing Authority

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

A substantial waiting list of tribal

Summary

3

members reporting housing issues,

Planning Process

5

including prohibitively high utility

Goals

6

costs, which directly affect their ability

Certification

7

to make housing payments and meet

Project Summary

8

other expenses.

Climate Adaptations

9

Resident Education

9

Solution

Best

Practices

10

Accomplishments/Awards

10

Creating new, energy-efficient

Next

Steps

11

homes featuring structural insulated

How To Get Started

12

panels (SIPs) and other sustainable

components proven to reduce utility costs.

Funding

Community Snapshot

Number of Homes

Funding Sources (2009-2012)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

11 single family

Development (HUD) Native American

houses (SFHs)

Housing Assistance and Self Determination

Act (NAHASDA)

32 SFHs

HUD NAHASDA

Location: Throughout east-central

Mississippi, 8 communities in 10

8 SFHs

HUD American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act (ARRA)

counties

Location type: Rural

1 SFH

HUD NAHASDA

Population: Approximately 10,000 tribal

members

10 SFHs

HUD NAHASDA

Climate: Warm-to-hot summers (average

91 °F) with high humidity and

12 SFHs

HUD NAHASDA

mild winters (average 41 °F).

High tornado activity (Köppen

8 duplex units

HUD ARRA

classification: Cfb)

Critical Sustainable

Map

Technologies and Strategies

• SIPs for walls and roof.

• Low-emissivity (low-e) windows and

glass in doors.

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

• Energy Star qualified/EnergyRight

Platinum certified.

• High-efficiency heating, ventilation,

and air-conditioning (HVAC)

• Energy Star appliances.

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

The Choctaw Housing Authority (CHA)

seeks to provide affordable, accessible,

and sustainable housing for all of its tribal

members. Unfortunately, many Mississippi

Band of Choctaw Indian (MBCI) families

live in overcrowded, drafty, uncomfortable,

and sometimes unhealthy houses. The

CHA waiting list currently has 500

Choctaw families waiting for new homes.

The families’ current homes often also

have inefficient energy systems or aging

Road construction for new subdivision

windows and doors, resulting in high utility

costs that some families struggle to pay.

Some communities place the pressing need

for more housing in opposition to the need for better quality and durable housing. MBCI was not willing to make this tradeoff; they are working to meet both goals. The CHA built 82 new, energy-efficient homes throughout its eight communities during the course of 3 years. At the same time, to encourage support for the new housing and its sustainable materials, the CHA implemented educational events—first, to let community members know about the benefits of energy-efficient housing and, second, to educate residents in the appropriate operation and maintenance of their new homes.

The CHA recently completed its fourth subdivision

of new housing featuring structural insulated panel

(SIP) walls and roofs. Although most of the houses

are single family, these recent new homes include

eight duplexes, which are designed to meet the

needs of tribal members who are elderly, disabled,

or veterans. All the homes are also equipped

with low-emissivity (low-e) windows and doors;

compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) lighting; high-

efficiency heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning

(HVAC); and Energy Star appliances. Tribal

members report reducing their monthly heating

costs from approximately $350 or $400 to $120.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The following chart describes the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Energy Efficient

Solutions

What Is It?

Effect

SIPs are a building system for residential

A SIP building envelope provides high

and light commercial construction. The

R-value in insulation and is extremely

Structural

panels are constructed like a sandwich.

airtight. Department of Energy (DOE)

insulated panels

The filling is an insulating core and the

studies are finding that SIPs can cut

(SIPs)

bread is two structural facings, or skins.

the amount of energy used to heat

Manufactured in a factory, SIPs can

and cool a home by 40% to 50% when

be produced to fit nearly any building

used in conjunction with other energy

design.

efficiency strategies.

Low-e, or low thermal emissivity,

Low-e windows typically cost about

10% to 15% more than regular

Low-emissivity

windows and low-e glass in doors have

windows, according to DOE, but they

(low-e) windows

a coating on the glazing or glass that

may reduce energy loss by as much as

and doors

absorbs, reflects, and emits low levels of

radiant thermal (heat) energy, depending

50%. The greatest savings tend to come

on the weather.

from the areas with hot summers, cold

winters, or both.

CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs

are made of glass tubes filled with gas

Energy Star-qualified fluorescent

Energy-efficient

and a small amount of mercury (100

lighting uses 75% less energy and lasts

lights

times less than a glass thermometer).

The mercury emits an invisible ultravio-

up to 10 times longer than normal

let light that becomes visible when it hits

incandescent lights.

the white coating inside the CFL bulb.

EnergyRight Platinum-certified new

Like Energy Star-certified new homes,

EnergyRight

homes are Energy Star qualified. They

EnergyRight Platinum-certified homes

Platinum

are designed and built to standards

are certified as 15% more energy

certified/Energy

above most other homes on the market

efficient than a minimum standard.

Star qualified

today. Certification requires a process of

Certified homes receive financial

third-party inspections to meet require-

incentives in addition to utility cost

ments.

savings and increased comfort.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Planning Process

Each year, the CHA holds a public

hearing for tribal members to

voice their opinions about MBCI

housing needs and related issues.

Each of MBCI’s eight communities

has a Development Club, which

functions similarly to a homeowners’

association, participating in local

events and advocating for community

residents. When CHA was preparing

to begin development of these

new SIP-built houses, it began

an education campaign to help

residents understand what this new

Breaking ground on a new subdivision

construction material looked like and

what it could offer. CHA provided the

clubs with boxes of materials to use

as visual aids to educate members

about SIPs and other improvements. Although SIPs can cost more upfront, they can lead to significant cost savings over time. (The SIP construction costs were under CHA’s HUD-allowed total development cost (TDC) requirements.) According to CHA Executive Director Eric Willis, “There was a learning curve regarding conservation and sustainable living. They chose SIPs because they thought they were a flexible option that would increase the integrity of construction and save money in the long run.”

The CHA’s Board of Commissioners also includes representatives from each community. The board

provides direct input regarding the design and construction of homes. At the end stage of the planning process, CHA develops a proposal that requires board approval for the design of each home. After that, the procurement and development processes can begin.

4 bedroom home design

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Goals

CHA is seeking to balance the higher upfront costs of sustainability with the extreme need on the reservation.

This balance has required careful planning and use of cost-effective sustainable materials. Some residents have reported utility costs dropping more than 50 percent.

As executive director, Eric Willis needs to ensure that the most

tribal members possible can be served with the limited budget

available under the Indian Housing Block Grant. The community-

designated lot size, in general, is 1 acre, so raising density is

not an option. Willis has, at times, reduced extra amenities;

the houses do not feature carports or garages, allowing for

more living space. The four-bedroom houses, for example, are

approximately 1,400 to 1,500 square feet. Residents can select

from four designs to allow for individual taste.

To maximize CHA’s budget and resources, the first houses are constructed along the outer edge of a subdivision to use the existing infrastructure. From year to year, new construction rotates among the eight communities. It may, therefore, take a little longer to complete an individual subdivision, but the new housing is spread among the communities.

SIPs can be used for outside walls, floors, roofs, and

foundations. The CHA had its houses designed to use SIPs

for the exterior walls and roofs. (The houses are built on

a slab foundation.)

SIPs are made of two facings, or surfaces, usually

created from oriented strand board, on either side

of an insulating foam core. Different facings include

metal, fiber cement, plywood, gypsum board, and fiber-

reinforced concrete. The most common types of foam

core include expandable polystyrene, polyurethane, or

polyisocyanurate. SIPs are also very strong, which is a

plus during severe weather, including hurricanes, and has

assisted CHA in decreasing rodent infestation problems.

SIPs are assembled in a factory to the specifications of

the developer. Because they are constructed offsite rather

than in the field, like a stick-built house, they benefit from

economies of scale, greater consistency of fit and performance, and better use

of resources. Because they are prefabricated, houses can be assembled more

quickly, and potentially with a smaller crew, than a stick-built house after

the construction team is experienced. They can cost more upfront, especially

when a crane must be used to install large panels.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Certification

The new energy-efficient homes have achieved Energy Star certification each year since 2010. They qualify under a New Homes Program operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA, a corporation and utility company owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern States. The TVA New Homes

certification has two program levels;

platinum is the higher level.

The CHA new homes met a variety of

efficiency standards, which made them

eligible for TVA financial incentives, such

as rebates. They were independently

verified as 15 percent more efficient than

required by the 2009 International Energy

Conservation Code. This standard rated

them as EnergyRight Platinum certified,

which is also Energy Star qualified.

Energy Star/EnergyRight Platimun certified home

MBCI subdivision plan

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PRojECT NaME: MCBI SIPs housing

LoCaTIoN: Developments are in each of MBCI’s eight communities

DESign/Plan TEam: Has differed on each subdivision Contractors have included Hal Brumfield (architect), Pritchard Engineering, and Engineering Service

TIMELINE: First subdivision homes came online in 2010 and

continue coming online through the present

PRojECT TyPE: Seventy-four single-family houses and eight

duplex units

Project Key Features

• Built incrementally as budgeting permitted.

• Slab-on-grade foundations.

• Decreased operation and maintenance costs.

• Four design styles.

• No garages or carports to maximize living space.

• All electric.

Key Sustainable Elements

• SIP walls and roofs.

• Energy Star certified/EnergyRight Platinum certified

• Low-e windows and doors.

• High-efficiency HVAC.

Slab-on-grade foundation

• Energy Star appliances.

• CFL lighting.

2 bedroom duplex floor plan

88

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Climate adaptations

Because SIPs create a tight air seal, they require

mechanical ventilation to ensure that indoor

air quality remains good. High humidity in the

local climate posed a significant challenge:

The dampers for air return must be adjusted

specifically to bring in adequate amounts of

fresh air while consistently keeping moisture

out of the home. CHA had special timers

installed to monitor humidity levels.

Mechanical ventilation damper

Resident Education

Energy-efficient technologies can need specialized care

and operation to perform up to their efficiency potential.

To ensure tenants could enjoy the full benefits of their new

homes, CHA mandated classes in properly using the new

technologies and equipment to help residents save money

and increase comfort and quality of living.

Slab-on-grade foundation

Energy efficient CFL bulbs

Specifically, CHA taught tribal members how to conduct

preventative maintenance, including cleaning filters in

their air conditioners and heaters. It also included making

seasonal preparations, such as identifying, wrapping, and covering exposed pipes to increase efficiency.

Residents learned to check that downspouts were not loose, blocked, or allowing water to pool around the house. The classes also included budgeting components so residents could most efficiently use the money saved.

The mix of a tight house, humid climate, and

many occupants in a house can lead to specific

education needs. Over time, CHA has added

education to help tenants understand the

necessity of keeping all doors and windows

closed while the air conditioner or heater is

running, to maximize efficiency. In homes with

many occupants, it can be difficult to find a

temperature that is comfortable for everyone.

Willis said that some residents would retreat

into other rooms and open windows, resulting in

Energy saving pipe insulation

both energy loss and system overcompensation.

The SIP system creates energy efficiency with

a tight air seal; an open window can undo the

energy savings.

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Best Practices

Despite the difficulty of planning for and addressing the diversity of challenges that can arise in building new homes, CHA’s sustainable housing construction has come in within budget and on time every year. According to Willis, converting to SIPs and adding other energy-efficient components was easier than he had imagined, thanks to the assistance of skilled outside contractors. He hopes eventually to be able to hire contractors and laborers who are tribal members as necessary skill sets develop.

Lessons learned on one

site were brought to the

next, and all the panels

were built at one source,

General Panels by Perma

“R” Products, in Grenada,

Mississippi, less than 100

miles away. The ability to

use local materials from a

single source has allowed

for increased consistency,

more cost savings, and a

smaller carbon footprint.

Perma also helped train

SIPs being transported.

the contractors who were

installing the panels,

thereby reducing their

learning curve.

The SIPs, in conjunction with energy-efficient lighting, windows, doors, HVAC, and appliances, offer the potential for cost savings for CHA housing residents. The educational component that CHA implemented can help make those cost savings a reality. Some residents have already reported that their utility bills dropped from about $350

or $400 monthly to $120 monthly.

accomplishments/awards

The TVA awarded the CHA with the All Electric Home Award in 2012 and 2013. CHA was recognized for its efforts in providing EnergyRight Platinum certified (under TVA’s New Homes Program) and Energy Star-qualified housing on the reservation. “Providing energy efficient housing allows our Choctaw families to lessen their financial burden and use those resources to elevate their standard of living,” said Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson in an MBCI press release.

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Next Steps

The CHA has developed energy-efficient housing with the potential to house residents cost effectively and healthily for many years, but many families are still waiting. The CHA’s next steps are to continue to increase its housing stock to meet this need while continuing to qualify for Energy Star certification, which is on its third revision; that is, CHA must consistently educate itself on the new standards and find ways to apply them.

Willis also is continuing to research the most cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions appropriate to the regional climate. For example, he is now exploring the long-term durability and cost of metal roofing as compared with shingles in a humid, damp climate. The CHA is also investigating the cost efficiency of spray-foam insulation and tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as needed, thus using less energy than traditional storage water heaters, but they do have a higher upfront cost and require specialized maintenance.

Improved site planning is another area of interest. If a site can be cleared and landscaped to retain trees, protect waterways, and minimize habitat disturbance, residents enjoy increased privacy, water resources are conserved, and erosion is decreased.

Willis noted that the existing construction will be used to inform future endeavors. Each time his team members build a home, “They learn more and more, thereby streamlining ongoing construction and building better and better homes.”

For more information:

Eric Willis

Executive Director,

Choctaw Housing Authority

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

101 Industrial Road

Choctaw, MS 39350

ericwillis@choctawha.com

601–656–6617

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about SIPs, and energy-efficient windows and lighting, check out these resources.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on insulation, including SIPs:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/types-insulation.

DOE on SIPs:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/solar-decathlon-technology-spotlight-structural-insulated-panels.

DOE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory research data on SIPs with other energy-efficient technologies:

http://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub10081.pdf and http://www.sips.org/wp-content/

uploads/2011/01/ORnl-2600.pdf.

DOE on energy efficiency in windows:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/window-types.

DOE on efficient lighting choices:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-lighting.

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Produced May 2013

12

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-4:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-4

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Expanding Sustainable Construction with In-House

SIPS Manufacturing

Muscogee (Creek)

Nation

“The Tribe is at a turning point where we will really start to see

energy savings. The new administration is ready to jump on

board with next steps. Then we can put the money we’ve saved

into other programs to serve our Tribe and keep improving

housing.”

- James Williams, Senior Environmental Specialist, Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Improve quality of life for residents and

Summary

3

save energy by testing cost effectiveness

The Pilot Program

5

and difficulty of implementing green

Housing for Elderly Residents

5

technologies.

Economic Development

6

Project Summary

8

Solution

Accomplishments/Awards

9

Best Practices

9

The success of a 2008 demonstration

Next

Steps

10

project has led to wider incorporation

How To Get Started

11

of sustainable construction practices

and enhanced in-house economic

development capacity.

Community Snapshot

Funding

Projects

Funding Sources

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

and U.S. Department of Housing and

15 duplex units

Urban Development (HUD) American

Recovery ad Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Location: Approximately 40 miles south of

Purchase of

Tulsa, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma;

geothermal rig

DOE ARRA

tribal members live throughout

11 counties.

Location type: Rural

Population: More than 70,000 enrolled

members

Map

Climate: Okmulgee County temperatures

range from an average daytime

high of 93OF in July and August

to an average low of 25OF in

January (Köppen classification:

Cfb).

Critical Sustainable

Technologies and Strategies

OKMULGEE

• Structural insulated panels (SIPs)

• Geothermal systems

• Energy-efficient triple-paned windows

• High-efficiency water heaters

• Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting

• Energy Star appliances

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

In 2007, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN)

began planning its entry into the world

of sustainable construction. The Housing

Division developed a pilot program home

in 2008, with “the goal of incorporating as

many green technologies as possible,” as

MCN Senior Environmental Specialist James

Williams stated. The single-family house

was built with technologies including a

geothermal heat pump and cooling system,

a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to supply

fresh air, cellulose insulation, a radiant heat

block, high-efficiency water heater, and

compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The Tribe

compared the energy costs of the pilot program house to those of conventionally built houses. Utility costs on the pilot program house were under half of the utility costs of the conventionally built houses: $1,403

compared to $2,875 per year. Green homes do cost more to build, Williams said, “The extra expenses have been recuperated in 3-4 years.” The homeowner, he added, was very happy with his lower utility bills.

With the positive pilot program experience under its belt, MCN added additional sustainable technologies to its tool kit. The Tribe completed Phase II of an existing elderly housing development in 2012. The new construction added 15 green duplex units

to the 24 originally built. The technologies

used included structural insulated panels

(SIPs), geothermal heating and cooling

systems, high-efficiency water heaters,

triple-pane custom windows, Energy Star

appliances, and light-emitting diode (LED)

lighting. The technologies have worked

well. Brent Coleman, assistant construction

manager, said, “We think the houses are

even tighter than we expected.”

The tribe has also been building alternative

Phase II construction of SIPs roof

replacement housing with SIPs because it is

affordable and quick to construct.

The installation of SIPs and of geothermal systems are not simply newly acquired construction skills sets for MCN work crews. The techologies are also potential economic opportunities because all SIPs used on the elderly housing development and the replacement housing were manufactured in a SIP plant operated by MCN – a unique situation that offered significant cost savings. MCN has also purchased a geothermal rig of its own and is digging geothermal wells.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The following chart describes the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Sustainable

Technologies

What Is It?

Effect

SIPs are a high-performance building system for

residential and light commercial construction.

A SIP building envelope provides high

Structural insulated

The panels consist of an insulating foam core

levels of insulation and is extremely

panels (SIPs)

sandwiched between two structural facings, such as

airtight, so that the amount of energy used

oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are manufactured

to heat and cool a home can be cut by

under factory-controlled conditions and can be

one-half.

fabricated to fit nearly any building design.

High-efficiency water heater technology includes

Energy Star notes that heating water

High-efficiency

tank water heaters, tankless water heaters, and heat

accounts for approximately 15% of a

water heaters

pump water heaters, and solar water heaters. The

home’s energy use. High efficiency water

water heaters used here are run off the geothermal

heaters use 10% to 50% less energy than

system.

standard models.

A geothermal or ground source heat pump system

The energy produced by geothermal

transfers heat stored in the earth and pumps it into

systems is naturally concentrated,

the indoor air delivery system in the winter. In the

existing heat that is clean and sustainable.

Although costly to install, geothermal

Geothermal

summer, the ground acts as a heat sink, and the heat

systems have low operating and

systems

is transferred from the interior through the heat

exchanger back to the ground. The system relies

maintenance costs. According to the U.S.

on the ground beneath the surface being warmer

Department of Energy (DOE), system life

than the air above it in the winter and cooler in the

is estimated at 25 years for the inside

summer.

components and 50+ years for the ground

loop.

Windows can be a weak spots in a home’s thermal

According to the DOE, leaky windows

can account for 10% to25% of a home

High-efficiency

envelope. Energy efficiency in windows depends

heating bill. Installing high-performance

windows

on types of glass or glazing, such as low-thermal

emissivity (low-e) or gas fill; frame material, and,

windows will improve a home’s energy

once installed, weatherstripping and caulking.

performance—but may take a number of

years to pay off in energy savings.

Energy Star products save money and

protect the environment. For example,

Energy Star

Energy Star appliances are independently certified

replacing a 1980s model refrigerator with

appliances

through a program of the U.S. Environmental

an Energy Star version could save $100

Protection Agency and the DOE.

a year in total energy costs. Replacing

a clothes washer could save as much as

$110 a year.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The Pilot Program

The pilot program, Take Control & Save, was inspired by the Housing

Director and council members passing green building codes to reduce

consumption and energy costs. MCN partnered with the East Central

Electric Cooperative on the program.

MCN constructed a 1,900-square foot single-family house for a family of

five. It was wood-framed, but included a construction method known as

Workers installing SIP walls

California Corners. This advanced framing technique allows for additional

insulation through caulking and placement of the drywall backer stud.

The house also used TechShield© roof decking, a radiant barrier that keeps the attic cool. The Tribe also added in wet- and loose-blown cellulose insulation, a Marathon water heater, CFLs, a Bosch ground source heat pump and cooling system and a HRV to maintain indoor air quality within the tightly built unit. The foundation was an insulated concrete slab.

Comparison of 12-months of utility data between the all-electric (except for a propane-fueled stove) pilot house and a conventionally built unit of the same size (with propane heat, water heat, and stove, but only two occupants) showed average monthly savings of $123 a month. Annually savings were $1,472. After the pilot program success, Williams said that the Tribe realized, “We can do this!”

Housing for Elderly Residents

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD) American Recovery ad Reinvestment

Act (ARRA) funds provided MCN with an opportunity to expand their

energy-efficiency activities significantly. An award of $5 million from

HUD funded infrastructure, roads, and construction of the Phase 2

Elderly Housing project, while part of $2 million from DOE paid for

geothermal drilling equipment and training. (The DOE funds also

funded a geothermal conversion for the College of the Muscogee Nation,

a recycling center, and tribal building energy audits.)

SIPs construction required training for the contractors and subcontractors, although Coleman said, “The learning curve wasn’t steep. They were already familiar with construction using wood.” The speed of the new construction process inspired the construction teams. At approximately 2,800 square feet, the duplex buildings have SIP walls and roofs and geothermal heating and cooling systems with two wells per duplex.

The high-efficiency water heaters operate off the geothermal system. The triple-pane windows were specially designed by a factory. The units also feature Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, a pond and walking trails.

The all-electric units have monthly utility bills of approximately $45-55, Williams said, compared with $120

in the older units. According to Coleman, “I understood it was going to be energy efficient, I just didn’t realize how much. The feedback has been better than expected.”

SIPs are also a key component in the no-frills alternative single-family houses that the Housing Division is providing elderly residents whose houses are deemed substandard. The new homes, about 1,000 square feet, are positioned next to the old home and the old home is demolished. Williams said, “We put sod out front and it looks really nice.”

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Economic Development Opportunities

It is too soon to know if the MCN’s investments in the green collar industry will provide economic development opportunities that will spread beyond the tribe’s own projects. In the meantime, providing jobs for some tribal members in emerging construction and energy industries is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

The idea for the SIPs manufacturing plant grew out

of the Tribe’s effort to build affordable homes that

are easy and economical to heat and cool. The elderly

housing addition was the first project for the plant. The

13,000-square-foot plant provided all 1,700 wall, roof,

and ceiling panels for the 15 duplexes during 2011.

To test the accuracy of their early work, pieces of the

duplex were cut out, then fit together to make sure

measurements and cuts were correct. “It was like fitting

together a puzzle,” Williams remembered.

The plant included a demonstration house built with SIP

SIPs manufacturing plant worker finishing panels

walls, floor, ceiling, and roof for visitors to walk through

and see the inner workings of a SIP-constructed house.

The demo house is being brought online for a family. It has been moved to a building site and currently under construction.

With six employees, the plant has current capability

to provide panels for a house a day. The plant made

panels for the duplex project in approximately a month.

Williams said, however, that the demand was not yet

there. A more realistic number at this time might be

12-15 houses. “It’s a learning process,” he added.

Current plans are to focus on providing panels for MCN

Housing Division new construction and rehabilitation,

and to develop marketing materials to expand into other

Completed SIPs ready to ship on-site

communities. The plant has been supplying the panels

for the alternative houses. Located in Wetumka, the

southern region of the MCN, the plant also owns trucks for panel delivery.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The geothermal drilling rig equipment

was purchased in late 2010. The

construction team received training in

2011, but gaining experience with the

rig has been challenging. Well-drilling

on the elderly housing development was

slowed by the team’s lack of experience.

The construction team was forced to

contract out some of the work. Ultimately

everyone worked well together. According

to Williams, “We have a great team at

MCN.” He added, “The drillers are getting

used to the rig now. We are building tribal

capacity as the guys are getting the hang

MCN workers being trained on the geothermal drilling rig

of it.”

Workers using geothermal drilling rig

Close-up of drill in progress

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PROjECT NaME: Elderly Housing Addition

LOCaTION: Okmulgee, Oklahoma

TIMELINE: 2011 through summer 2012

PROjECT TyPE: 15 duplex units

Project Key Features

• Affordability.

Completed duplex unit

• ADA-compliant (one-half of units).

• Brick veneer.

• Tornado safe rooms.

• In-unit laundry.

Key Sustainable Elements

Geothermal system installation

• SIPs.

• Geothermal heating and cooling system.

• Triple-paned windows.

• Energy-efficient water heater run off geothermal.

• LED lighting.

• Energy-efficient appliances.

• Pond and walking trails.

Energy-efficient washing machine

Demonstration

Infrastructure

Geothermal

All

Thirty

Demonstration

house built.

and roads

rig equipment

duplexes

geothermal

house

built.

ordered.

framed and

wells dug.

renovated.

roofed.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

ARRA funds

Panel

Drilling

Well

Duplexes

from HUD

construction

training

drilling in

completed.

awarded.

began.

began.

duplexes

began.

8

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

accomplishments/awards

The MCN Housing Division recently received a rebate check

for $40,000 from the East Central Electric Cooperative

high-efficiency rebate program for the Tribe’s use of high-

efficiency energy technology at the newly constructed

elderly housing addition.

The project was also nominated for a

MCN Chief Tiger accepts rebate check

Henry Bellmon sustainability award

(www.bellmonawards.com).

Best Practices

MCN has developed a housing model that is employing tribal members at the same time it keeps residents comfortable and saves on costs. Summer in Oklahoma is hot. Williams noted, “Last summer, I was visiting with a lady and a gentleman in one of the SIP homes. They were surprised how hot it was outside because they had not needed to turn their air conditioner on yet. The homes naturally keep cool in the summer and warm in winter. We have gotten good feedback on the elderly homes.”

Demonstration

Infrastructure

Geothermal

All

Thirty

Demonstration

house built.

and roads

rig equipment

duplexes

geothermal

house

built.

ordered.

framed and

wells dug.

renovated.

roofed.

A crane is used to assist workers install SIPs

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

ARRA funds

Panel

Drilling

Well

Duplexes

from HUD

construction

training

drilling in

completed.

Caulk is used to improve the homes air tightness

awarded.

began.

began.

duplexes

began.

9

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Next Steps

Coleman says, “Tribal administration has great leadership who has been very positive and forward-thinking.”

The Tribe hopes to use the money saved from its new sustainable units for future projects. It is also exploring marketing SIPs panels to other tribes. Because the Tribe already owns trucks and trailers, it is additionally equipped for delivering the materials it manufactures.

A team from the Sustainable Construction in Indian Country (SCinIC) initiative visited MCN in April 2013 to conduct blower door testing on five stick-built and SIP-built houses to test air tightness. One of the SIP houses tested was under construction; however, the two completed SIPs houses were 36 to 49 percent tighter than the stick-built houses.

The report also noted that additional opportunities for air sealing were still available, which would require minor additional effort. Unsealed wall penetrations and receptacles that were not caulked left open holes in the SIPs where energy was escaping. For example, dryer vent and electrical service penetrations through the SIPs are not being sealed before the brick veneer is installed. The report also estimated that additional construction cost savings improvement and utility savings would be possible if the thermal boundary between the attic or roof and SIPs were clearly defined. When that boundary is not well defined, the SIPs used in the roof or attic area are not effective at reducing energy consumption.

The report recognized MCN’s willingness to “try new construction techniques and install high-end geothermal heating and cooling systems” and praised it for a “a very motivated staff with a keen desire to provide tribal residents with energy-efficient and well ventilated homes.”

For more information:

james Williams

Senior Environmental Specialist

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Environmental Services

P.O. Box 580

Okmulgee, OK. 74447

918-549-2580

jquestme2001@yahoo.com

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about the energy-efficiency strategies highlighted above, check out these resources: EPA Energy Star Program:

http://www.energystar.gov/

DOE on selecting windows for energy efficiency:

http://windows.lbl.gov/pub/selectingwindows/window.pdf

DOE on SIPs:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/solar-decathlon-technology-spotlight-structural-insulated-panels DOE on geothermal systems:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/heatpumps.html

Energy Star on high-efficiency water heaters:

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/WaterHtrs_062906.pdf

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Housing Division Web site:

http://creeknationhousing.org/

SCinIC technical assistance report on Muscogee (Creek) Nation:

http://www.huduser.org/portal/scinic/home.html

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Produced June 2013

11

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-5:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-5

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Providing Affordable, Accessible, and

Sustainable Housing

Nez Perce Tribe

“The Housing Authority is going very green, beyond LEED in a

lot of ways. The Nez Perce are pursuing a green expansion of

a community, not a green subdivision, but a sustainable and

culturally appropriate village expansion.”

- Nathaniel Corum, architect and straw-bale construction specialist

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Providing affordable, accessible, and

Summary

3

healthy housing for low-income families.

Design Process

5

Community Involvement

5

Solution

Goals

6

(Pre)Construction Challenges

8

Constructing low-income duplexes with

Certification

8

lower maintenance and utility costs; and

Project Summary

9

making units accessible so residents can

Best Practices

10

remain in their units as they age.

Next

Steps

11

How To Get Started

12

Community Snapshot

Location: Tribal lands in parts of four

northern Idaho counties

Funding

(part of the Lewiston, ID-WA

Metropolitan Statistical Area),

Activity

Funding Sources

which includes the largest

community—the city of Orofino,

Infrastructure

Nez Perce Tribe

near the northeast corner of the

reservation.

U.S. Department of Housing and

Location type: rural/agricultural

Urban Development Native American

Population: 17,959 reservation residents,

Duplex construction

Housing and Self Determination Act,

as of the 2000 Census.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and

Climate:

volunteer labor

Orofino’s low elevation and

northwestern location give it one

of warmest climates in Idaho

in the summer (average high of

Map

86 ºF) and one of the mildest in

winters (average high of 43 ºF)

(Köppen classification Cfb).

Critical Sustainable

MONTANA

Technologies and Strategies

OROFINO

• Straw-bale construction.

LAPWAI

• Structural insulated panels (SIPs).

• Low-impact site management and

landscaping.

• Double-pane low-emissivity (low-e)

windows.

• Ductless heat pumps.

• Heat-pump water heaters.

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

• Energy Star appliances.

• Use of nontoxic materials.

• Shed-style roof maximizes potential

for solar panels.

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

The Nez Perce Tribe is developing

healthy, sustainable housing. Its

current project, nine duplexes with

17 two-bedroom units and 1 three-

bedroom unit, is designed for low-

income families. This project, however,

is also bringing the Nez Perce Tribal

Housing Authority (NPTHA) new

experiences in terms of sustainability,

construction materials and techniques,

incorporation of cultural features, and

funding sources.

The primary sustainable technology is a nonload-bearing straw-bale construction in conjunction with structural insulated panels (SIPs). Each unit will also include a ductless heat pump system and heat pump water heaters. Laurie Ann Cloud, Executive Director of the NPTHA, said the design would “most definitely”

reduce utility costs. “It is a high priority to reduce the operating cost of units. The heat pump is designed to do this. It sounds almost too good to be true.” Units will have Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Although the duplexes are family units,

they will be handicapped accessible. This

will allow for more options for families

with a disabled family member or make

it so that residents will not have to move

out of their housing because their physical

abilities change over time.

Cultural design features that are

interwoven into the design include housing

clusters, a common area, and an eastern

entry orientation consistent with Nez

Perce culture. The housing is modern, but

the carport roof and shed-style roofs are

designed to call to mind the Nez Perce

traditional teepees’ extended shade structure. The carport has multiple purposes: it serves as an outside room and a protective parking space.

The shed-style roofs, with south-facing orientation, are designed to be solar ready, allowing for the houses at some point to become even more energy efficient.

The site includes a planned community garden, playground, and a walking path leading along the creek to the sweat lodge. The site is designed to allow the community to grow and meet housing needs while also preserving the agricultural and rural setting. NPTHA has worked with the adjacent farmers to ensure that their alfalfa crop and subsequent grazing and the housing can co-exist.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The following chart describes the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Sustainable

Technologies

What Is It?

Effect

A building method that uses bales of straw as

Advantages of straw-bale construction

Straw-bale

structural elements, building insulation, or

over conventional building systems include

construction

both. This method is commonly used in natural

renewability, cost, availability, natural fire-

building or “brown” construction projects.

retardant qualities, and high insulation value.

SIPs are a building system for residential and

A SIPs building envelope provides high R-value

light commercial construction. The panels are

in insulation and an extremely airtight space.

Structured insulated

constructed like a sandwich. The filling is an

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) studies are

panels (SIPs)

insulating core and the bread is two structural

finding that SIPs can cut the amount of energy

facings, or skins. Manufactured in a factory, SIPs

used to heat and cool a home by 40% to 50%

can be produced to fit nearly any building design.

when used in conjunction with other energy-

efficiency strategies.

Low-e, or low thermal emissivity, windows

Low-e windows typically cost about 10% to

15% more than regular windows, according

Double pane

and low-e glass in doors have a coating on the

to DOE, but they may reduce energy loss by as

low-e windows

glazing or glass that absorbs, reflects, and emits

low levels of radiant thermal (heat) energy,

much as 50%. The greatest savings tend to come

depending on the weather.

from areas with hot summers, cold winters, or

both.

Ductless heat pumps are also called “mini-split”

Because they deliver heated or cooled air

heat pumps. They operate on the same principle

directly to the room, ductless heat pumps

Ductless heat

as traditional heat pumps, using electricity to

avoid efficiency loss associated with ductwork.

pump system

move heat between outdoor and indoor air

According to the DOE, duct loss can account

by compressing and expanding a refrigerant,

for more than 30% of energy consumption for

although without a duct system.

space conditioning.

CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs are

made of glass tubes filled with gas and a small

Energy-efficient

amount of mercury (100 times less than a glass

Energy Star-qualified fluorescent lighting uses

lighting

thermometer). The mercury emits an invisible

75% less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer

ultraviolet light that becomes visible when it hits

than normal incandescent lights.

the white coating inside the CFL bulb.

Energy Star appliances are independently

The products save money and protect the

environment. For example, replacing a 1980s

Energy Star

certified through a program of the U.S.

model refrigerator with an Energy Star version

appliances

Environmental Protection Agency and the DOE.

It identifies high quality energy efficient

could save $100 a year in total energy costs.

products.

Replacing a clothes washer could save as much

as $110 a year.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Design Process

Although NPTHA had previously built with SIPs, the

Housing Authority was interested in exploring other

green technologies and materials. At the same time, it was

apprehensive about the cost of adding more sustainable

technologies. When several NPTHA Board members visited

the Coeur d’Alene Housing Authority’s new multifamily

straw-bale project, they became excited to explore this

technology for their own tribe. Would it be too difficult

Coeur d’Alene straw-bale project

to build without previous experience? How much energy

might it save? A Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

(SCinIC) team developed an energy modeling report, which compared different technologies for construction and heating/cooling, including straw bale. “Having access to modeling data and being able to compare options for cost-effectiveness and utility savings played a big role in the decision to go with straw bale,”

SCinIC team member architect Daniel Glenn said.

NPTHA had already engaged a local architect, Jerry Brotnov, for a stick-frame, SIPs design, but then NPTHA decided to move ahead on a duplex housing straw-bale project. The SCinIC initiative was able to provide the local architect with technical assistance support from Nathaniel Corum, an architect with straw-bale and sustainable design and construction experience in collaboration with Native American communities. The new technology, however, also interested Brotnov, who pursued further education in straw-bale construction.

NPTHA originally planned on building on uninsulated crawl spaces, but these were not very compatible with straw-bale construction and the SCinIC energy modeling study indicated that the homes would lose significant energy through the floor. Plans now include an insulated slab on grade, which is easier to build and less expensive than crawl spaces in straw-bale construction. To address elders’ concerns about walking on concrete, the insulated slab will include subflooring to provide “give” so the floor is softer.

To lower water consumption and increase drought resistance, the project will include a drip system, with drip irrigation for the rain gardens. NPTHA has brought on-board a landscape architect to realize a number of plans for additional low-impact site management and sustainability.

Community Involvement

Getting input from community members is a common challenge for housing authorities. Executive Director Cloud capitalized on planned events. She said, “What was nice is that we got some elders to come in… this year the Tribe and the city of Lapwai had a community review. I participated in it and it opened my ears to community observations and I brought that into my own planning process.”

Cloud further said that the project “meets the needs of the community. Most tribal members will agree.” One important issue was that the units fit with other housing in the community: “It is a set-alone project but it still will be comparable to local styles so it won’t stand out in a bad way,” she said. It is “right size” housing, Cloud added, in which the size and number of bedrooms meet local need. The units are affordable, and in a good location.

Corum noted that NPTHA has a waiting list and two- and three-bedroom units for low-income families are a great need. The new project “will take a huge chunk out of their waiting list.”

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Goals

NPTHA incorporated technologies and materials that will allow them to achieve tribal community goals: cr

eate affordable, accessible, sustainable, and culturally relevant housing.

Corum said, “Straw can be harvested

several times a year. Local straw wheat

bales are a non-toxic renewable resource

that provides amazing insulation value.

If built well, straw-bale construction

is superior to wood construction in

several ways.” NPTHA is procuring straw

from local farmers, increasing project

affordability.

Straw-bale construction in this project

is nonload bearing. The load bearing

structure is timber framed, with SIPs

above 8 feet. The straw bales, which

function as insulation, fit into the

supporting structure. The 24-inch-

wide walls are estimated to have a high

Example of straw-bale construction (not at Nez Perce Tribe).

(thermal resistance) R-value of 40.

In addition to their insulating value, straw-bale buildings are fire and mold resistant after they are coated with plaster. Mice are not likely to nest in straw bale houses, and the houses are not prone to insect infestation.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The units are single-

level and compliant with

Americans with Disabilities

Act requirements so

residents can remain in their

units as they age. Cloud described the units

as having “visitability” with their wider

doorways and halls, as well as graduating

sidewalks that allow for wheelchair

entry. One unit may be fully handicapped

accessible with lowered countertops and

Single-level ADA compliant floor plan.

higher toilets.

The design plan consists of nine buildings in three circular encampments. The units are laid out in cul-de-sacs that emulate villages with a center common area. The doorways are oriented to face east, which is an important expression of Nez Perce culture. Secondary vestibules on the houses allow all doorways to appear to face east in this circular design. They serve a sustainable function as well, keeping wind and other elements out of the house. The duplexes have a cathedral ceiling and slanted roof shed, as does the carport, a design that echoes a teepee’s shade structure. Some say the straw-bale could even be said to recall tule mats used to construct another of the Nez Perce tribe’s traditional houses, and basket patterns are being cut into a panel above the straw-bale wall.

Architect’s rendition of the project showing the nine duplex units in three circular encampments 7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

(Pre)Construction Challenges

Although construction has not yet

begun on the project, construction

challenges begin in the planning

stages. From the beginning, NPTHA

has been concerned about who

would construct the development

because NPTHA does not have

that skill set readily available. But

inspired by experiences of other

tribes, including the Puyallup

Nation Housing Authority, at

building tribal capacity in new

technologies, NPTHA is planning to

use force account labor. This means

Pre-construction image of the development site

a construction manager, either in-

house or with straw-bale experience,

will hire and manage a construction team composed of tribal members with support of experts in straw-bale construction.

Several challenges have delayed construction. Initial discussions of the project site did not indicate that the site had cultural significance, but the environmental review revealed cultural concerns. NPTHA tabled infrastructure and water construction plans, and bid solicitations while the Tribe considered conducting a full archeological survey. Testing cleared the immediate housing site, but culturally sensitive areas along the perimeter will cause some changes to infrastructure placement and may require additional testing.

Glenn said, “Funding was certainly a challenge.” The construction method, design elements, and other sustainable additions added to the budget that NPTHA had set aside. Obtaining additional funds was more difficult and time intensive than anticipated, which delayed construction. NPTHA worked with a consultant to apply for low-income housing tax credits, which were awarded in December 2012. Ironing out the budget is a struggle since NPTHA and their team are estimating costs for a construction process with which they are not familiar. Cloud, however, pointed out an upside to the delay: “The good thing is it bought us time to investigate the green and sustainable activities that we are going to use.”

Certification

NPTHA plans to follow Enterprise Green Communities certification, which has base standards and

opportunities for additional points for exceeding those standards. The Nez Perce project needs at least 35

points to become certified as a Green Community. NPTHA added certification into its plans to gain additional points on its LIHTC application. It selected Enterprise Green Communities standards because these were more affordable than some other certification processes. As one part of meeting Enterprise Green Communities standards, NPTHA plans to develop a green maintenance/operations manual that includes a training component.

8

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

ProjECT: Straw-bale Duplexes

LoCATIon: Lapwai, Idaho

DESIGn/PLAn TEAM: Jerry Brotnov (architect of record), Daniel Glenn (consulting design architect/green building consultant), Nathaniel Corum (consulting design and straw-bale architect),

Ecotope (consulting design engineer) Brian McCormack (landscape architect), and Ken

McCown (consulting landscape architect)

TIMELInE: 2011 through fall 2014

ProjECT TyPE: Nine duplex units

Project Key Features

• Affordability.

• Accessibility.

• Healthy, non-toxic home.

• Orientation and design incorporates cultural traditions.

• Cathedral ceiling maximizes light.

• Insulated slab on grade foundations.

Key Sustainable Elements

• Straw-bale construction.

• Super-insulated envelope with local materials and SIPs.

• Double-glazed low-e windows.

• Ductless heat pumps.

• Heat-pump water heaters.

• CFL lighting.

• Energy-efficient appliances.

• Low-flow water fixtures.

Ductless heat pump

• Walking trail and community garden.

• Low-impact site management.

• Conservation subdivision.

Duplex

Straw bale

LIHTC

Cultural

Infrastructure

planning

technology

application

resources

construction

begins.

selected.

made.

survey

anticipated.

conducted.

2011

2012

2013

Visit to

Community

Preliminary

Cultural resources

Duplex

Coeur d’ Alene

green charrette

award of

cleared housing

construction

straw bale

held.

LIHTC made.

area for

to begin.

project.

construction.

9

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Best Practices

The NPTHA duplex project combines best

practices in land management; sustainable

and appropriate technologies and materials,

and culturally relevant features. Super-

insulated duplexes built with straw-bales

and SIPs are both energy efficient and

durable. These construction techniques will

save on utility and operational costs.

NPTHA is using local materials including

straw and building healthy, toxin-free

homes to last for future generations. Corum

said using natural, nontoxic materials “is the

modern version of the Tribe’s responsibility

to their future generations. It fits the Tribe’s

A crane lowers the SIPs roof into place (not at Nez Perce Tribe).

definition of sustainability. It also meets

community imperatives: residents can walk

to facilities, and it is respectful of a nearby

spring and adjacent ceremonial area.”

The Tribe seeks to integrate the site with nature and agriculture. This conservation subdivision will retain existing landscape and respect adjacent wetlands while the neighboring farm will continue operation. The project includes native plants, a trail leading down to the stream near the site and to the community sweat lodge, a playground, and a community garden. Culturally relevant design features emphasize the continuity of the Nez Perce people on this land.

NPTHA is refining its sustainable choices

based on experience and empirical modeling

data to be more resilient and efficient

relative to the local climate. A comparison of

double-pane and triple-pane low-e windows

showed that, for the Nez Perce, the triple-

pane windows would be more expensive

without offering a sufficient payoff in heat

savings. Although, in the past the Tribe has

used heat pumps with ducts, the ducts can

contribute to energy loss. Since the planned

units are small enough to go ductless, each

unit will have one ductless heat pump, with

baseboard heat in the bedrooms as backup.

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

next Steps

NPTHA is fully involved in the process of getting this project off the ground. Glenn sees this project as an inspiring beginning: “The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority has demonstrated a keen interest in bringing sustainability and cultural responsiveness to its new housing developments and an openness to exploring new approaches and ideas to achieve the goal of creating excellent affordable housing for tribal members.”

Solar is another technology that the Housing Authority want to try, but the current budget does not allow at this time. The Ecotope engineers explored passive solar heating, but determined it was not a viable option because there are too few solar heating days in winter. They also modeled solar water heaters for NPTHA. The energy modeling report showed that heat pump water heaters were less expensive and almost as efficient as solar water heaters in this region.

To accommodate budget limits, the duplexes are solar-

ready. Roofs are sloped and oriented to maximize the

potential area for solar panels. The electrical system

and layout of the building can accommodate either

photovoltaic or solar hot water panels at a later date.

For more information:

Laurie Ann Cloud

Executive Director

Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority

P.O. Box 305

Lapwai, ID 83540

208-843-2229

lauriew@nezperce.org

NPTHA project team members (left to right): Matthew Horwitz, Paul Nye, Laurie Ann Cloud, Daniel Glenn, Jerry Brotnov and Nathaniel Corum

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about Energy Star, energy-efficient windows, SIPs, CFLs, straw-bale construction, and ductless heat pumps, check out these resources:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program:

http://www.energystar.gov/

EPA on energy efficient improvements, including low-e windows:

http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/reduceEnergy.htm

U.S. Department of Energy on SIPs:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/solar-decathlon-technology-spotlight-structural-

insulated-panels

EPA on CFLs:

http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Toolbase on straw-bale construction:

http://www.toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=971&BucketID=6&Ca

tegoryID=13

NAHB Toolbase on ductless heat pumps:

http://www.toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=4016&BucketID=2&

CategoryID=42

NPTHA:

http://www.nezperce.org/official/tribalhousingauthority.htm

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Some drawings, photos, and floor plans courtesy of Daniel Glenn, Jerry Brotnov, Nathaniel Corum, and Skip Baumhower Photography. Graph courtesy of Ecotope.

12

Produced June 2013

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-6:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-6

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Incorporating Sustainable Land and Water

Strategies Into a Master Plan

Pokagon Band of

Potawatomi Indians

The mission of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

is “to respectfully promote and protect the culture, dignity,

education, health, welfare and self-sufficiency of our elders,

our youth, our families, and our future generations while

preserving Mother Earth.”

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Summary

3

Developing a long-term plan that includes

Visioning

3

water management and conservation as

Master Plan Resources

4

an integral part of the overall land use and

Watershed Goals

5

community planning strategy.

Phases of Development

7

Best Practices

10

Solution

Next

Steps

11

How to Get Started

12

The Pokégnek Bodéwadmik Master Plan

has guided the development of sustainable

water management and conservation,

Funding

housing, and a LEED (Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design) Gold certified

community center.

Projects

Funding Sources

Community Snapshot

U.S. Department of Housing &

Master Plan

Urban Development (HUD) Native

American Housing Assistance and Self

Determination Act funds

HUD Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG),

Édawat Phase I

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Indian

Reservation Roads (IRR)

Édawat Phase II

HUD IHBG, BIA IRR

Édawat Phase III

HUD American Recovery and

Location: Communities in Dowagiac and

(community center)

Reinvestment Act, BIA IRR, HUD Indian

Community Development Block Grant

Hartford, Michigan, and South

Bend, Indiana

Location type: Rural

Climate: hot summer/cold winters

Map

with heavy snow (K�ppen

classification Dfa)

Population: 4,325 enrolled tribal members

Median age: 22

Critical Sustainable

Technologies and Strategies

• Community master plan based on tribal

mission statement

• Watershed protection including

• Bioswales

• Cluster housing design

• Permeable pavement

• Replacement of invasive plant

species with prairie grasses and

2

indigenous vegetation

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

The largest community of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

Indians is in Dowagiac, Michigan. The name “Dowagiac” comes

from the Potawatomi description for a “place to hunt, fish,

and forage.” Care and restoration of earth and water are at the

center of the Band’s master plan.

The Pokégnek Bodéwadmik Master Plan blends deeply rooted

cultural beliefs with state-of-the-art best management practices Dowagiac, Michigan

(BMPs) to achieve high-performance infrastructure. (The term

“BMP” refers to environmental management strategies that

prevent or reduce stormwater pollution.) The infrastructure includes stormwater management and water conservation, roadway and walking-path surfaces, and landscaping. Part of the water management includes planning the location of the housing units on the site.

Here are some of the BMPs and their effect on sustainability.

Best Management

Practices

What Is It?

Effect

An alternative to storm sewers that uses

Effective stormwater management, reduced

Bioswale

natural landscaping and native plants to

landscaping maintenance, improved water

drain and move stormwater

quality, elimination of chemical and

fertilizer use

Permeable roadway and

Smooth surface for transportation that

Effective stormwater management, im-

walking path

allows water to reach soil, not become

proved water quality, reduced pavement

run-off

maintenance

Planting and restoration of

Use of plants that are native to a

Effective stormwater management, reduced

native trees, wildflowers, and

particular ecosystem to improve the

landscaping maintenance, increased plant

grasses

environment

survival, improved water quality,

elimination of chemicals and fertilizer

Building houses in a clustered

Clustered housing plan

pattern to follow the topographical

Minimized excavation and maximized

contours of a building site

open space

The Band is moving toward greater integration of sustainable technologies and renewable energy in future housing developments and the community as a whole.

Visioning

In 2002 the Pokagon Band began to develop its master plan. A question guided the visioning process: What would a plan look like if it embodied the Pokagon mission statement:

To respectfully promote and protect the culture, dignity, education, health, welfare and self-sufficiency of our elders, our youth, our families, and our future generations while preserving Mother Earth. We will strive to give our people a better quality of life. The Band will also strive to be economically independent from federal and local government allowing the Band to fully exercise its sovereignty.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

To make sure that the plan created sustainable development, the Band allowed time to gather input and comments from community leaders and residents, conduct assessments and reviews, and make careful decisions about the selection of the development firm and contractors. Objectives in the master plan and the Band’s development strategy are:

• Protection and restoration of Mother Earth.

• Housing development as an investment.

• Quality, long-lasting housing and infrastructure.

• Deep green standards for future housing investments.

• Deference to and respect for tribal elders.

• Healthy lifestyles and outdoor recreation.

As a result, the master plan balances strong development

principles with environmental sustainability. This can be

seen most clearly from the plan’s water conservation and

management strategies. “Édawat has been held as a national

example of good resource planning. This resource planning

started with a master plan that evolved from discussion of traditional tribal villages,” David Yocca, landscape architect for Conservation Design Forum, said.

Build support for sustainable development through:

• Ongoing education of Tribal Council members.

• Meetings and dialogue among tribal departments.

• Design charrettes to educate and hear from residents.

• Workshops and event invitations to engage Tribal Council.

• “Planning to Plan”–Former Housing Director Troy Clay.

• Keeping contractors informed.

• Training for maintenance staff on environmental systems.

• Opportunity for residents to experience first-hand how

homes and community buildings save energy and use

resources wisely.

Master Plan Resources

Every master plan will be different based on the community that creates it and will change over time. One important emphasis in this plan is the protection of water quality. Mark Parrish, Pokagon Band Director of Natural Resources, stated, “Land use has the greatest influence on water quality. There are certain ways to build while protecting our natural resources…and expanding our envelope to become more sustainable.” Planning documents used to help develop the Pokégnek Bodéwadmik Master Plan include:

• Dowagiac River Watershed Management Plan.

• St. Joseph River Watershed Management Plan.

• Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Green.

• Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan.

Infrastructure Project.

• Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Design Charrette

The Band engaged in various design charrettes

during the design and development phases. A design

charrette is a design and planning workshop (or series

of workshops) where project stakeholders come

together to learn, brainstorm, discuss, and develop

recommendations that will lead to a feasible plan. “It

is a very exciting time to be a tribal planner,” said Jason

Auvil, Pokagon Band Tribal Planner. “The data gathered

during the charrettes as well as from the tribal census,

staff will analyze the data and take it to tribal council…

By no means is this the end of this process…staff will try

to get the best information that we can to make these

developments reflect what tribal citizens want.”

Watershed Goals

The Pokagon Band master plan includes goals for protecting its watershed. These goals were met by using low impact development (LID) BMPs in their infrastructure design. According the the Environmental Protection Agency, “LID is an approach to land development (or re-development) that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible.” LID BMPs include cluster development, minimization of total disturbed area, protection of natural flow pathways and of sensitive areas, and reduction of impervious surfaces.

Goal 1: Protect watershed hydrology and water quality

Protecting the watershed begins with protecting the landscape’s existing natural features. The housing development is clustered within the existing geography. This planning strategy preserved glacial depressions that formed natural drainage patterns as well as sensitive areas. Bioswales are a natural alternative to storm sewers; they also

infiltrate and filter water.

Infiltration means that

the water seeps into the

ground.

• St. Joseph River Watershed Management Plan.

• Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan.

• Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Bioswale

Rain garden

Restored vegetation

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Clustered housing design also reduces costs because roadways are shorter and utility infrastructure is less. In addition, fewer trees need to be removed and less land excavated. The area kept more rural, open space. Constructing homes on smaller lots, with smaller footprints, also keeps more of the land’s natural features. Smaller lots reduce the distance to the roadway and the amount of lawn maintenance.

Goal 2: Reduce sediment, chemicals, and thermal inputs to surface water

To protect the quality of the surface water, the

Pokagon Band used infiltration techniques to ensure

that this new development would not increase

the amount of run-off. One technique is to limit

impervious surfaces. Concrete driveways, walkways,

and roads, and most asphalt cannot absorb water.

Rainwater entering the soil directly is less likely to

gather with it harmful chemicals, extra nutrients, or

heat that may change the quality of surface water.

Streets narrowed to 18 feet wide

Streets were designed slightly narrower using

interlocking permeable pavers. David Yocca

said, “Permeable pavers are not only a great

way to provide roadway and parking, but to

allow rainwater infiltration.” In addition to their

environmental benefits, the street width and layout

were designed to naturally slow traffic, which

is important in a residential community. “The

permeable pavers were more expensive up front…

but require no maintenance and, therefore, save on

long-term costs,”said Troy Clay. Many of the walking

Interlocking permeable pavers

paths in the community are also permeable, using

aggregate and mulch.

Goal 3: Protect the public water supplies by reducing nutrients and chemicals

Public water quality is directly linked to ground

water quality. Restoring the vegetation native to

the area is one way to protect the water supply.

The Pokagon Band restored portions of their

wooded areas by removing invasive species and

opening up the tree canopy. They enhanced the

bioswales with prairie grasses and native plants.

Wildflower and rain gardens limit the amount of

turf. The native vegetation develops deep root

structures and generates soil’s organic carbon.

Native plants

The ground can better filter the water, which

protects water quality. These plants do not

require irrigation systems, fertilizers, or lawn chemicals—making them less

Prairie grasses

expensive to maintain and better for the environment.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Phases of Development

Energy efficiency, sustainable water use,

landscape-sensitive planning, and the

selection of appropriate material and

methods of construction are current

practices of the Pokagon Band of the

Potawatomi Indians. The addition of

new key and sustainable features in the

projects demonstrates the Band’s growing

vision of sustainable development.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Prairie grasses

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

LoCaTIon: Pokagonek Édawat Housing Development (Dowagiac, Michigan)

PHASE 1

DESIGn/PLan TEaM: Conservation Design Forum (Master Plan/

neighborhood design), Wightman & Associates,

Inc. (home design)

TIMELInE: Visioning began in 2004. Units were occupied in late 2005.

PRojECT TyPE: High performance infrastructure with 20

single-family elder units

Project Key Features

• Culture-based development.

• Integrated design--streets, sidewalks, stormwater management and

landscaping.

• Financial benefits.

• Decreased operation and maintenance costs.

• Decreased energy costs.

• Increased real estate values.

Key Sustainable Elements

• Dense deep-rooted vegetation—aids in pollutant removal and

infiltration.

• Permeable pavement.

• Clustering and placement of houses in development preserves

topography and existing vegetation.

• Rain gardens and bioswales.

• Energy Star appliances.

Visioning

Requests for Conservation

UIUC architecture

Charrettes

Charrettes

Construction

and

proposal

Design Forum

students completed

conducted for

conducted for

began on 34

planning

drafted and

and Wight-

community center

elders for

additional

units planned

began.

distributed.

man & Assoc.

concept.

Phase 4.

villages.

for Phase 4.

hired.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Proposals

Plan presented

Phase 2

Phase 3

Construction

Phase 4

Community

Community

recieved and

to HUD and

planning

planning

began on

infrastructure

center

Center awarded

review process

School of

began.

began.

community

planning

opened.

LEED Gold

began.

Architecture,

center.

began.

certification.

8

UIUC.

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

PHASE 2

LoCaTIon: Pokagonek Édawat Housing Development

(Dowagiac, Michigan)

DESIGn/PLan TEaM: Wightman & Associates, Inc.

TIMELInE: Visioning began in January 2006. Units were occupied in

2006.

PRojECT TyPE: Fourteen single-family units. (High-performance

infrastructure was already in place.)

Additional Key Sustainable Elements

• Energy-Star Certified houses

Visioning

Requests for Conservation

UIUC architecture

Charrettes

Charrettes

Construction

and

proposal

Design Forum

students completed

conducted for

conducted for

began on 34

planning

drafted and

and Wight-

community center

elders for

additional

units planned

began.

distributed.

man & Assoc.

concept.

Phase 4.

villages.

for Phase 4.

hired.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Proposals

Plan presented

Phase 2

Phase 3

Construction

Phase 4

Community

Community

recieved and

to HUD and

planning

planning

began on

infrastructure

center

Center awarded

review process

School of

began.

began.

community

planning

opened.

LEED Gold

began.

Architecture,

center.

began.

certification.

UIUC.

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

LoCaTIon: Pokagonek Édawat Housing Development

PHASE 3

(Dowagiac, Michigan)

DESIGn/PLan TEaM: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

School of Architecture, Wightman &

Associates, Inc.

TIMELInE: Visioning began in 2006. Construction began in 2010.

Building opened in 2011.

PRojECT TyPE: Community Center

Additional Project Key Features

• Built to LEED Gold standards.

• Decreased dependence on fossil fuels.

Additional Key Sustainable Elements

• Dedicated open space, native vegetation and landscaping,

preserved tree line.

• Vegetated roof and LED site lighting.

• Photovoltaic system and geothermal heat.

• Bike rack and minimized parking.

• Earth berm.

• Local, natural, and durable building materials.

• Passive solar heat sink with roof overhang and tinted insulated glazing.

Best Practices

The Band is planning a phase IV in its housing development. This will include 20 additional housing units at the Édawat development (half elder and half single-family units) and also housing with high performance infrastructure in its Hartford, Michigan, and South Bend, Indiana, locations. Planning for these new houses begins with best practices taken from the earlier phases of development. Troy Clay, who took part in the planning process from the start, says, “The community is just now realizing the community center as a resource and wanting more amenities.” The best practices include:

• Culture of the Pokagon people embedded in each housing development.

• Sensitivity to the landscape in the development of the built environment.

• Successful performance of the high-performance infrastructure.

• Community center’s sustainable features, such as passive solar heat sink, insulated glazing, vegetated roof, minimized parking, and earth berm.

• Walkability features within the Édawat Development.

• Good stormwater management and water quality through infiltration and filtration strategies.

• Limited housing footprint and lot size to maximize existing rural landscape.

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

accomplishments/awards

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)

• LEED Gold certification for

Michigan Chapter

community center

Design Merit Award

• Best Practices and Innovation Award, 2005 HUD National Indian Housing Summit

• 2011 HUD Greener Homes National Summit awardee

• Featured on Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Web site:

http://www.swmpc.org/pokagon_band.asp

• Featured on Southeast Michigan Council on Governments, Low Impact Development Case Studies:

http://www.semcog.org/Data/lid.report.cfm?lid=132

next Steps

With the eventual goal of becoming a net-zero energy community which produces as much energy as it uses, the Band sees opportunities for continued improvement. Development of the first three projects has begun to expand the Band’s idea of what sustainable housing can be. In addition to housing with a small footprint and Energy Star certification, for example, the Pokagon Band wants to explore renewable energy, alternative sustainable building materials, and multifamily housing. Although already adapted to its topography, future housing can accomplish greater energy savings if it also can be oriented to benefit from passive solar heating and ventilation practices based on prevailing wind patterns.

The original master plan called for on-site residential wastewater treatment. In the long term, this option may be possible if the Band takes the properties into trust. The shorter term plan, which supports Pokagon’s cultural emphasis on reducing and reusing, is to explore additional water reclamation and treatment opportunities.

Increased community building is another area of interest. Clustering housing is one strategy. The Band also plans to develop additional housing types to build a supportive community in which tribal members can live, work, and play without traveling long distances.

For more information:

Mark Parrish

Director, Department of Natural Resources

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

P.O. Box 180

32142 Edwards Street

Dowagiac, MI 49047

mark.parrish@pokagonband-nsn.gov

269-782-9602

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about creating a master plan, implementing a water management and conservation strategy, or conducting a charrette, check out these resources.

Search for local State, county, or city at the Council of Governments Web site on planning organizations: http://narc.org/regional-councils-mpos/listing-of-cogs-and-mpos-2.html

Intergovernmental Partnership for Sustainable Communities Web site for community planning. (Also, see sections on Energy Efficiency and Rural Communities):

http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/toolsKeyResources.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for LID:

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/index.cfm

Toolbase.org low impact development BMPs:

http://www.toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=909&BucketID=6&Category

ID=11 

Landscaping with native plants:

http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service fact sheets:

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/brochures/urbanfactsheets.html

Handbook from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on planning and charrettes:

http://www.nrel.gov/applying_technologies/pdfs/charrettes_handbook.pdf

National Charrette Institute:

http://www.charretteinstitute.org/

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Produced October 2012

12

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix C-7:

Case Study

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix C-7

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Incorporating Sustainability and Renewable

Energy Into Housing for Elders

St. Regis Mohawk

Tribe

“The community is very impressed with this project. It is

located in a relatively isolated area, so community members

didn’t know this was going on and had never realized it was

here. Then they went to the grand opening and were blown

away by the neighborhood we created.”

-Retha Herne, Executive Director of the Akwesasne Housing Authority

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Problem

Table of Contents

Adding sustainability features and

Summary

3

renewable energy into design plans for an

Design Process

4

affordable housing project for elderly tribal

Community Involvement

5

members when those designs are already

Certification

6

partly developed.

Construction Challenges

6

Renewable Energy Systems

7

Solution

Insulating Concrete Forms

8

Project Summary

9

Adopting a flexible approach to design and

development, with attention to selecting the

Best Practices

10

most reasonable and relevant sustainability

Next Steps

11

elements.

How To Get Started

12

Community Snapshot

Funding

Location: In northern New York State, the

Costs for the Sunrise Acres Phase 2 project including a

territory of Akwesasne is divided

community building, parking lot, rental office building, and

internationally between Canada

20 units of residential housing, came in at about $5.6 million.

and the United States (U.S.). The

Renewable energy systems and energy-efficient upgrades

U.S. (southern portion) of the

cost an additional $1.4 million.

reservation includes the village

of Hogansburg and the Canadian

Source

Amount

(northern portion) is further

divided by the provinces of

U.S. Department of Housing

Ontario and Quebec along the St.

and Urban Development (HUD)

Lawrence River.

American Recovery and

$4 million

Location type: Rural

Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Population: 3,288 in the 2010 census

Climate: Cold winters (14–31 ºF) and

HUD Native American

moderate summers (60–82 ºF)

Housing Assistance and Self

$3 million

(Köppen classification Dfb).

Determination Act (NAHASDA)

Critical Sustainable

Technologies and Strategies

Map

• Geothermal system for heating (and cooling

in the training center), with in-floor radiant

heat

• Solar domestic hot water

• Active solar photovoltaic power generation

• Active daylighting via skylight tubes

• Insulating concrete form (ICF) construction

• Recyclable metal roofing

• Stormwater management/pollution control

• Energy Star appliances

• Light-emitting diode (LED) and compact

fluorescent lamp (CFL) lighting

• Dual flush toilets and water

saving plumbing fixtures

• Sustainable community

2

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Summary

When the Akwesasne Housing Authority (AHA)

began Phase 2 of its Sunrise Acres expansion project,

an additional 20 units of housing southwest of

an existing 20-unit complex, it was interested in

sustainability and renewable energy sources, but

did not initially have funding to incorporate such

features. After AHA was fully immersed in the design

phase, new funding allowed for the additional

components but presented a new challenge:

modifying existing plans to integrate sustainability.

Sunrise Acres

Phase 2 was completed in the summer of 2011.

It provides safe, affordable units for elderly tribal

members with much lower utility costs than the Phase 1 housing. Phase 2 includes five quadplexes, a community and training center, a parking area, and a public pavilion on 28 acres of tribal land. Each one-story, multifamily building has its own mechanical room and is divided into four apartments. Each buildings is approximately 4,050 square feet.

Utility cost data for a period of 12 months showed dramatic utility savings: approximate 50% annual cost savings between the Phase 1 buildings and the Phase 2 buildings—more than $4,000 per building a year.

This is in large part due to the change from kerosene to geothermal heat.

A geothermal system provides the primary heating source (and cooling in the training center only), with in-floor radiant heat connected to the system by heat exchangers. The major benefit of this system is that it allows the AHA to move away from costly kerosene that was the primary heating fuel. The geothermal system uses no fuel other than electricity to run the pumps that circulate the water. The project also incorporates six solar photovoltaic arrays of 24 panels each, which partially supplement electricity use.

Solar domestic hot water (DHW) systems are installed on the roofs of each quad building.

The walls include a 6-inch insulating concrete form

(ICF) wall system. Although the walls have standard

insulation (an R20 value for heat transfer), the

thermal mass of the concrete combined with in-floor

heat maintains very stable and even heating levels.

With well-sealed windows, this type of construction

produces an extremely tight building without air

infiltration. In addition to saving energy, ICF systems

keep units more comfortably cool in the summer and

warm in the winter.

The project not only provides safe, affordable, and attractive housing for the elderly, but it also is helping the Tribe move away from fossil-fuel dependence. This move is critical because green measures that reduce the carbon footprint—including renewable energy systems—are consistent with cultural values.

3

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Here are some of the technologies and their effect on sustainability.

Sustainable

Technologies

What Is It?

Effect

A geothermal or ground-source heat pump

system transfers heat stored in the earth and

The energy produced by geothermal systems

pumps it into the indoor air-delivery system

is naturally concentrated, existing heat that

in the winter. In the summer, the ground acts

is clean and sustainable. Although costly

Geothermal

as a heat sink, and the heat is transferred

to install, geothermal systems have low

energy system

from the interior through the heat exchanger

operating and maintenance costs. According

back to the ground. The system relies on the

to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),

ground beneath the surface being warmer in

system life is estimated at 25 years for the

the winter and cooler in the summer than the

inside components and 50+ years for the

air above it.

ground loop.

A PV array generates power when exposed

to the sun. It is composed of PV panels and

The Florida Solar Energy Center (University

Photovoltaic (PV) array

modules. Energy is converted to watts and

of Central Florida) estimates PV modules can

stored, used, or, if tied to the grid, sent back to

last 20-30 years.

the utility grid.

In a passive system, the sun heats water

Solar domestic hot water

in a solar tube system. Solar-heated water

Passive DHW systems require little

(DHW)

flows into a tank in the mechanical room. An

maintenance and can reduce energy costs.

electric tank also provides backup.

ICF is a system of formwork for concrete that

ICFs provide superior insulation, high

stays in place as permanent building insu-

thermal mass, and low infiltration. They

Insulating concrete form

lation for energy-efficient, reinforced con-

may raise construction costs approximately

(ICF)

crete walls, floors, and roofs. The forms lock

2 to 5 percent (according to the National

together similar to LEGO bricks and serve to

Association of Home Builders’ Toolbase) but

create a form for the structural walls or floors

can significantly lower utility costs compared

of a building.

with wood or steel construction.

The definition varies by community. A

sustainable community is one that is

This community is more walkable, has easily

Sustainable community

economically, environmentally, and socially

accessible diabetes services, and provides

healthy and resilient, according to the

more opportunities for social interaction.

Institute for Sustainable Communities.

Design Process

The AHA designed the project in collaboration with architect Barry Halperin of Beardsley Design Associates. From the beginning, the AHA was interested in incorporating green concepts and sustainability as guiding principles, although it did not have funding to include these elements. AHA’s later successful American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) application received points for sustainable technologies, allowing for changes to the design plan. Specifically, the AHA was interested in high-efficiency mechanical systems. The architect suggested a geothermal system. The challenge of using a geothermal system is that it costs considerably more money up front than a traditional mechanical system. However, the Tribe was willing to invest in this sustainable feature because of its commitment to green building, lower utility costs, and decreased environmental impact.

4

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

The Tribe’s commitment to sustainable construction is also

evident in its decision to use solar photovoltaic arrays and a solar

DHW system to provide supplemental energy sources.

The design phase included a great deal of discussion about

incorporating culturally relevant features. Some, such as adding

artwork that would highlight the welcoming prayer on the outside

of each building, were not implemented. The design, however,

does address the cultural significance of kitchens in the St. Regis

Mohawk Tribe. Typically, kitchens in senior housing are small

because seniors tend not to cook extensively. In Sunrise Acres, the kitchens were more generously designed to allow tribal members to continue to use them as family gathering places.

Retha Herne, Executive Director of the AHA, described the housing authority’s approach to incorporating culturally relevant features in the design: “It can be hard to do culturally relevant features in design because they are expensive. Green products are another kind of cultural relevancy because we want to lessen our footprint on the environment.”

Community Involvement

Before Phase 2 of Sunrise Acres could be constructed, the AHA

needed to identify the properties it would purchase for this

project. As part of that process, AHA presented an elderly housing

plan to the community and invited comments.

Herne noted: “Typically we don’t get comments. But we knew

there was a need for elderly housing because of the wait list and

trends we had been seeing in the elderly selling larger homes and

downsizing.”

She also noted the Tribe has received the completed project very

positively: “The community is very impressed with this project.

It is located in a relatively isolated area, so community members

didn’t know this was going on and had never realized it was here.

Then they went to the grand opening and were blown away by the neighborhood we created.”

AHA intentionally created a neighborhood that values quiet and independence, while also encouraging healthy living and intergenerational activities. The “healthy” distance between quads enables residents to be close to their neighbors while maintaining some privacy, and the ICF construction reduces noise so that units are quiet. In support of the Diabetes Center for Excellence Program, housed in the training center, exterior LED lighting and extensive landscaping, including plants adjacent to the patios, encourage seniors to walk around. The project also provides space for the residents to put in a vegetable garden. As further incentive, Phase 2 includes a small, covered pavilion and picnic tables on the south side of the project where seniors can meet with their extended families. The Tribe is also planning to develop a wetlands wild bird sanctuary sighting area on the remaining property.

5

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Certification

Although the AHA consulted the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design) rating system checklist and used some of these concepts to guide construction, AHA decided ultimately not to seek LEED certification. This decision was made, in part, because of the potential added costs, time, and the knowledge that it would have taken to coordinate all of the necessary pieces to bring LEED certification into the picture.

Herne further noted that the benefits of the ARRA funding and its tight deadlines played a significant role.

They “didn’t go the LEED route because when the funding became available, we were starting to work on the Sunrise expansion. We had planned to build a few units at a time, but this funding gave us the ability to construct the whole project at once.”

Construction Challenges

For more than 10 years, AHA has built its

own dwellings utilizing a force account

construction crew. This gives AHA greater

control over quality assurance than

contracting out to other sources. The size

of the new Sunrise Acres project, however,

was larger than what AHA would normally

undertake in a year. That, combined with

ARRA’s rigorous grant timelines, reporting,

and rules, made contracting out a “grim

reality,” according to Herne. AHA bid the

job out and, with a limited number of the

Native contractors, the AHA had to increase

due diligence in responsibly carrying out its

procurement policy.

Tracking the progress of the general contractor and the subcontractors was also a challenge. Some design features and specifications were missed and/or had to be put in place later “because we weren’t on top of it,” said Herne. Based on these issues, the AHA learned to pay better attention. In the future, said Herne, “We would have more inspectors out there on our end to ensure that all specifications are met.”

Some tasks were difficult to coordinate on this large project. For example, one firm installed the fiber optics for the mechanical system, which uses a central computer to control and monitor the system across all the buildings, but another firm was asked to prepare the building for fiber optic Internet service.

Overall construction was a positive experience. The general contractor did an “excellent job” and the project benefited from “a brainiac” inspector on staff who was also an electrician by trade, said Herne. “He knows the systems, knows how to troubleshoot,” she added. Given contracting challenges, design challenges, and the fact that the project schedule was stressed by 75 to 80 days lost to rain, it is noteworthy that AHA needed to extend the project by only 1 month.

6

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Renewable Energy Systems

The AHA hopes that installing renewable energy systems will mark a major step toward energy

independence. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), renewable energy includes

“resources that rely on fuel sources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish.” The AHA uses sun and the earth’s heat, but other renewable fuel sources include the wind, moving water, and organic plant and waste material (for biomass). Because renewable energy systems are expensive, it is important to include them early in the long-term budgeting and planning process. The AHA is monitoring costs and savings to determine the cost-effectiveness of their renewable fuel sources, while also incorporating inexpensive energy efficiency measures.

Phase 2 of the Sunrise Acres development has a closed-

loop geothermal system with seven wells per building

and nine wells for the training center. The cost for

the wells and piping was approximately $320,000.

The cost for the control system and the radiant floor

heating system was about $820,000. Each building has

a mechanical room that houses a mechanical system.

The training center has a central office for system

operation, monitoring, maintenance, and temperature

control. These controls are also connected to the main

administration building, thanks to the fiber optic

Geothermal piping system

network.

The solar PV array is intended as a supplemental energy

source to further reduce the amount of electricity that

must be purchased from National Grid, the electric

utility company. The project has a six-panel solar array—

one to provide supplemental energy for each building—

that can generate 5.04 kilowatts each. According to PV

Watts Calculator, a 5.0 watt array local to the St. Regis

Mohawk reservation (Massena, NY) is estimated

to produce 5,814 kilowatt/hour annually, which

PV array

could save the AHA an estimated $813.96 per

year per building on utility bills. Over the course

of the project’s first 14 months, the PV array

produced approximately 20 percent of the energy

that a new Sunrise Acres building consumes.

National Grid meter

7

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

DHW is provided through a solar tube system. Each building’s mechanical room contains two tanks with a holding capacity of 80 gallons: one tank contains water heated by the solar system and one tank is a conventional electric hot water tank. Water from the solar holding tank flows into the electric tank as needed.

This type of system can require significant space with multiple tanks, including possibly a storage tank for the hot water loop. Together the panels and DHW systems cost approximately $260,000.

Solar DHW on roof

Solar and electric water tanks

Insulating Concrete Forms

The walls of the new Sunrise Acres quadplexes

are built with ICFs. Instead of being poured

into wood or metal forms, concrete for the

walls is poured into interlocking modular

foam forms. The forms are stacked without

mortar and filled with concrete. The foam

is not removed, providing a layer of thermal

insulation that raises R-value and also

decreases air infiltration. ICFs do require

some specialized knowledge to install, but the

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

indicates that the learning curve is slight.

The ICFs cost about $240,000. These upfront

ICFs with reinforcing steel

costs are also slightly higher than with wood-

framed walls, but increased energy efficiency

decreases the cost differential.

8

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Design Charrette

The Band eng

LoCATIoN: H aged in v

ogansburarious design charr

g, NY

ettes during the

design and de

DESIGN/P

v

LAN elopment phases. A design charr

TEAM: Beardsle

ett

y Design Associat e is a

es

design and planning w

TIMELINE: Design beg orkshop (or series of w

an in 2009. R

orkshops)

esidents occupied units in

where project stak

2011. eholders come together to learn,

br

P ainst

RojE orm, discuss, and de

CT TyPE: Five sing velop r

le-st

ecommendations that will

ory quadplex buildings (20

lead to a feasible plan. “It is a v

apartments) f ery exciting time t

or seniors, one tr o be a tribal

aining center,

planner,” said Jason Auvil, P

and a r

okagon Band Tribal Planner

ental office building.

.

“The data gathered during the charrettes as well as from the

tribal census, staff will anal

Project Key Features

yze the data and take it to tribal

Training center

council…By no means is this the end of this process…staff

will try to get the best inf

• Mechanical r

ormation that w

oom in each building.

e can to make these

developments r

• Slab-on-gr

eflect w

ade f

hat tribal citizens w

oundations.

ant.”

• Heat recovery ventilators.

• Increased kitchen size.

Wat

• Decr ershed Goals

eased operational costs.

• Elimination of kerosene fuel use.

• Landscaping emphasis to encourage walking.

The Pokagon Band master plan includes goals for protecting

its watershed. These goals were met by using low impact

de

Ke velopment (LID) BMP

y Sustainable

s in their infr

Elements

astructure design.

According the the Environmental Protection Agency, “LID is an

approach to land development (or r

• Geothermal heating and cooling sy e-de

st v

em. elopment) that works with natur

• Energy St e t

ar o manage st

appliances. ormwater as

close to its sour

• Solar panels. ce as possible.” LID BMPs include cluster development

• Energy , minimization of t

-efficient lighting. otal disturbed

area, prot

• Solar DHection of natur

W.

al flow pathways and of sensitive areas, and r

• Low eduction of impervious surf

-flow dual-flush toilets, f

aces.

aucet aerators,

• ICFs.

and low-flow showerheads.

Goal 1:

• C

Protect w

ommunity dev

atershed h

elopment t

ydr

o encour ology and w

age health

at

y habits. er quality

• Stormwater and pollution control.

• Metal roof system.

• Net-metering.

• Energy-efficient windows.

• Solar daylighting tubes.

Phase 1 of

Design for

Phase 2 of

Phase 2 of

One year of

Sunrise

Phase 2 of

Sunrise Acres

Sunrise Acres

utility data

Acres

Sunrise

groundbreaking

completed.

available for

built.

Acres began.

held.

comparison.

1998

2009

2010

2011

2012

ARRA funds

Phase 2

Ribbon

Residents

from HUD

design

cutting

moved in.

awarded.

revised for

held.

sustainability.

9

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Best Practices

With a year of monthly utility costs in hand, AHA was eager to discover more about the costs and savings associated with their commitment to renewable energy in the new units. A Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative team conducted a comprehensive energy analysis comparing Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Sunrise Acres. The data show the newly constructed units in Phase 2 of Sunrise Acres are much more energy efficient and substantially less expensive to operate: the annual energy cost for Phase 2 is $4,110 per building, which is one-half the cost per building for Phase 1 ($8,176). When actual energy savings are calculated by converting all energy measurements to Btus (British thermal units), 58 percent in utility costs were saved, despite the fact that electricity use is much higher in Phase 2 because of geothermal pumps. Utility bills show wide variation in energy use from building to building, however, suggesting that resident education may help decrease usage even more.

The picture is complex and not entirely to be answered by model calculations; the usual calculations of payback do not evaluate the benefit to the environment of carbon reduction, a benefit of importance to the St. Regis Mohawk. A simple payback calculation suggests that the geothermal system will pay for itself by the end of its estimated lifetime. Halperin suggests a more optimistic view that weighs two sets of costs: the geothermal system may take 7 to 10 years to realize overall cost reductions as compared with a conventional mechanical system.

The solar panels allow the Tribe to exercise greater energy

independence. As mentioned, the panels have provided

approximately 20 percent of the energy used by the Phase

2 buildings. This is energy that the AHA does not need to

purchase. The AHA participates in the National Grid’s (the

local utility company) net-metering program, which can

further decrease electricity costs. The utility company’s

net-metering policy allows customers to connect their

renewable energy sources to the electric grid. Customers

save money by offsetting electrical costs with their own

renewable energy or by contributing excess production to

the grid.

Herne indicated that the usage meets the hot water needs of the unit with electric hot water backup. The unit size and number of occupants play a role in this success. “This has been successful, partly because there are only one or two occupants in each unit so they do not use a lot of utilities.”

With solar technologies, upfront cost is also significant. Calculations of cost recovery on the DHW are promising, with simple payback within an estimated 4 years and positive returns on more complicated calculations as well.

The solar arrays fare less well in payback models. With the Tribe taking advantage of federal tax credits, simple payback shows the solar arrays pay for themselves only within the lifetime of the system.

The units are popular with the community, according to Herne: “Some people were concerned that we wouldn’t fill the units. But we finished the project in July and it was filled by August.” As of January 2013, the AHA had a 15-unit waiting list for these units, partially because of positive reports from residents. At just over 1,000 square feet, units are smaller than many residents’ former houses, but she added, “the tradeoff is that they don’t have to mow the grass or shovel snow. It’s a worry-free environment close enough to neighbors but far enough apart that it is comfortable. The ICF construction means they don’t hear each other. So residents are happy with these apartments.”

10

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

Another positive outcome is that the AHA has more confidence in its ability to design projects that meet community needs and expectations. Herne noted, “The grand opening made us realize that the housing authority can do a good job of creating a neighborhood. There is more community trust in what we do.”

Herne also emphasized, “This time around we really wanted to do responsible housing development. We introduced some green development and sustainable construction.” Barry Halperin, the project manager for the design firm and the chief architect, confirmed this assertion: “I think it was a success because the Tribe was committed to the sustainable elements.”

Herne’s advice to other tribes: “Just do it! It’s not going to get done unless you jump in there and do it and see where you end up!”

Next Steps

In the long term, renewable energy strategies are part of the AHA plan. Herne said, “Now that we touched on green building practice, we want to continue it.” But, she has some qualifiers. First she wants to monitor the continued cost efficiency and system performance of the Phase 2 units.

Although the AHA has rehabbed 10 of the Phase 1 apartments by upgrading the kitchens and lighting, it did not yet make any of the energy-efficient improvements featured in Phase 2. Herne said the Tribe’s first priority is multifamily tax-credit projects. If Phase 2 is successful, AHA would like to make more extensive energy-efficient changes to Phase 1. The proposed work would not take place within the units themselves, rather in the boiler rooms and mechanical rooms.

Another area of research for the AHA, according to Herne: “We want to find affordable ways to bring renewable energy efficiency to single family housing. We would like to tap into programs to bring in funding to do hot water heat with solar panels on single family homes.”

In future projects, she added, the AHA would also like to incorporate wind energy, “but for now we have done a lot, we know what we can do, it came out positive, we have more capacity and experience in green building.

I’m happy with what we’ve done so far.”

For more information:

Retha Herne

Executive Director

Akwesasne Housing Authority

378 State Route 37, Suite A

P O Box 540

Hogansburg, NY 13655

rherne@akwehsg.org

518–358–9020

11

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country

How To Get Started

To learn more about geothermal systems, solar panels, DHW, sustainable construction efficiency

determinations, and the Sunrise Acres Energy Assessment, check out these resources.

EPA on geothermal energy:

http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/energy/re_geothermal.html

DOE, Energy Saver on solar water heaters:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/solar-water-heaters

DOE EERE on solar systems:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/topics/solar.html

DOE, National Renewable Energy Laboratory photovoltaic array calculator:

http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts/

U.S. Department of the Interior, simple payback worksheet:

http://www.doi.gov/greening/energy/efficiency.cfm

Federal Energy Management Program’s energy and cost savings calculators for energy-efficient products:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/eep_eccalculators.html

NAHB Toolbase.org on ICFs:

http://toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=602&BucketID=6&CategoryID=54

HUD, Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/sustainable_housing_communities

Institute for Sustainable Communities:

http://www.iscvt.org/what_we_do/sustainable_community/

Energy Efficiency Evaluation and Recommendations: Elder Housing Sunrise Acres:

http://www.huduser.org/portal/SCinIC/resources.html

Akwesasne Housing Authority:

http://www.akwehsg.org/

This best practice case study is one in a series that examines how Native American and Alaska Native communities have incorporated sustainable technologies and strategies into their housing development.

The Sustainable Construction in Indian Country initiative was created to support and increase sustainable construction practices in Native American communities. It is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research in partnership with the Office of Native American Programs.

Produced April 2013

12

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction In Indian Country

Appendix D:

Training Materials

Sustainable Construction in Indian Country Final Report | Appendix D

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Policy Development and Research

Sustainable Construction

in Indian Country

Assessing Conventional-Built and

Sustainable Buildings

February 14, 2013

Albuquerque, NM

Defining Sustainable Construction

and Sustainable Communities

in Indian Country

1/29/13

Albuquerque, NM

February 14, 2013

Sustainable Construc>on in Indian

Country (SCinIC)Ini>a>ve

•  Created to support and increase sustainable construc>on

prac>ces in Na>ve communi>es.

•  Administered through HUD’s Office of Policy Development

and Research (PD&R) in partnership with HUD’s Office of

Na>ve American Programs (ONAP).

•  Congressionally mandated ini>a>ve.

•  Ini>a>ve runs to May 2013.

Sustainable Construc>on Building Prac>ces

•  Supports housing that is "healthier, more comfortable,

more durable, and more energy efficient and [has] a

much smaller environmental footprint than conven>onal

homes." (U.S. Green Building Council)

•  Broad areas of sustainable construc>on prac>ces

include:

- 

Master planning

- 

Si>ng and design

- 

Water management

- 

Energy efficiency

- 

Environmental sustainability

- 

Local cultural relevance and >es to tradi>onal sustainability

1

1/29/13

Ac>vi>es under SCinIC

•  Na>onal focus group – held during

Greener Homes Na>onal Summit,

September 2011.

•  Technical assistance for the

demonstra>on sites.

•  Training

•  Best prac>ce case studies

Keep Up on SCinIC Ac>vi>es?

•  Visit PD&R’s HUD User Web site:

hbp://www.huduser.org/portal/

na>ve_american/

sustainable_construc>on.html

•  Sign up there for e-‐list updates.

Defining Sustainability in Construc>on

LEED Gold Cer>fied mul>family developed by Lible Traverse Bay Bands of

Odawa Indians, MI

2

1/29/13

Defining Sustainability in Construc>on

How is sustainable construc0on

defined?

•  Ofen called “green construc>on” or "green building."

•  The U.S. Environmental Protec>on Agency defines green building as "the

prac>ce of crea>ng structures and using processes that are

environmentally responsible and resource-‐efficient throughout a

building's life-‐cycle from si>ng to design, construc>on, opera>on,

maintenance, renova>on and deconstruc>on. This prac>ce expands and

complements building design concerns of economy, u>lity, durability, and

comfort. A green building is also known as a sustainable or high

performance building.”

•  The U.S. Green Building Council believes that green homes are generally

"healthier, more comfortable, more durable, and more energy efficient

and have a much smaller environmental footprint than conven>onal

homes."

•  The Sustainable Na>ve Communi>es Collabora>ve defines sustainable

housing as: “culturally appropriate, green, and affordable.”

Sustainability Defini>ons for SCinIC

•  Uses the U.S. Green Building Council

defini>on.

•  Focuses on sustainable technologies.

•  Includes durability of housing, affordability,

life cycle costs.

3

1/29/13

Sustainability in housing can include:

•  Improvement to health

•  Care for the environment

•  Aben>on to life-‐cycle of materials or building

•  Durability

•  Financially feasible

•  Increased comfort for residents

•  Provides long-‐term support for residents

What are the benefits of sustainable

construc0on?

•  It is generally accepted that there are environmental, economical, and

social benefits to building more sustainably:

•  Environmental benefits— Sustainable construc>on enhances and protects

biodiversity and ecosystems, improves air and water quality, reduces

waste streams, and helps conserve and restore natural resources.

•  Economic benefits—Green building prac>ces help to reduce opera>ng

costs (such as fuel costs); create, expand, and shape markets for green

products and services; and op>mize life-‐cycle economic performance of

buildings.

•  Social benefits— Sustainable design prac>ces enhance occupant comfort

and health , minimize strain on local infrastructure, and improve overall

quality of life.

hbp://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/whybuild.htm

Examples Of Sustainable

Construc>on Prac>ces in Different

Categories

Examples range from simple,

inexpensive and do-‐it-‐yourself or

complex and costly

4

1/29/13

Energy Efficiency

•  Blown cellulose, foam, or other insula>on (not fiberglass babs) mee>ng

2012 Interna>onal Energy conserva>on Codes for Residen>al Energy

Efficiency (R-‐value) standards

•  Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)

•  Façade differen>a>on designed for passive solar hea>ng/cooling

•  Aerated Concrete

•  Advanced Wood Framing

•  Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)

•  Straw bale technology

•  Adobe

•  Modular construc>on

•  Low-‐E windows (low emissivity windows)

•  Heat and Energy Recovery Ven>lators (HRVs and ERVs)

•  High efficiency hea>ng and cooling systems (heat pumps)

•  Radiant floor hea>ng

•  Thorough caulking and weather-‐stripping

Renewable Energy

•  Geothermal hea>ng/cooling

•  Photovoltaic panels (solar panels)

•  Domes>c solar water hea>ng (DSWH)

•  Bio Fuels

Materials

•  Long-‐term, durable materials such as metal

roofs, cemen>>ous siding, masonry, etc.

•  Recycled/waste products incorporated into

construc>on materials and interiors

•  Low vola>le organic compound (VOC)

products and paints

•  Use of regional or local materials and labor

5

1/29/13

Water Efficiency

•  Green roofs

•  Landscaping to reduce water usage/plants that

thrive in regional condi>ons

•  Gray water systems/wastewater systems

•  Rainwater harves>ng and storage

•  Xeriscaping

•  Rain barrels/cisterns

•  Permeable pavement

•  Bioswales

•  Low-‐flow plumbing fixtures

Site/Community Planning

•  Project on a brownfield site

•  Building orienta>on

•  Project near public transporta>on or car sharing implemented to

minimize car trips to and from the site for everyday needs

•  Project part of larger master plan that includes other non-‐

residen>al uses

•  Low-‐impact development

•  Soil erosion control

•  Plan for future expansion

•  Green maintenance plan

Increasing Energy Efficiency in the

Built Environment

Exis>ng

buildings

represent the

most cost

effec>ve

opportunity

to reduce

CO2

emissions.

6

1/29/13

Untapped Energy Efficiency

Opportuni>es

Mul>family Retrofit Opportuni>es

•  Cost cost-‐effec>ve upgrades in mul>family

buildings can achieve savings of 15–30% in

buildings with five or more residen>al units.

•  If these upgrades were made in mul>family

buildings na>onally, it “would translate into

annual u>lity bill cost savings of almost $3.4

billion.”

Source: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,

report, January 2012

Impacts of Energy & Buildings

•  Residen>al & Commercial Buildings in the

United States are responsible for:

o  74.5% of electricity produc>on.

o  50.1% of total energy flows.

o  49.1% of CO2 emissions.

•  Overall energy consump>on by the building

sector con>nues to increase.

7

1/29/13

Crea>ng the Green Sustainable

Community in Indian Country

Planning Healthy Communi>es

Physical and Social Considera0ons

University of Illinois at Urbana-‐Champaign

What Does a Green Sustainable

Community in Indian Country Look

Like?

•  Varies enormously because tribal communi>es

vary enormously

•  Shaped by needs and desires of each community

•  Integrates housing, transporta>on, economic

development, healthy lifestyle, environmental

concerns

•  Grows and changes over >me

•  Requires inten>onal planning

8

1/29/13

Social Considera>ons in Planning

Healthy Communi>es

•  Offer mul>ple residen>al choices

–  Unit types

–  Tenure op>ons

•  Integrate residen>al choices that support exis>ng social

structures

–  Support broad age range

–  Support range of incomes

–  Support variety of lifestyles

•  Provide details that allow posi>ve interac>on between

neighbors

•  Augment available social supports

Examples of Sustainable Community

Features in Na>ve American

Communi>es

•  St. Regis Mohawk – landscaping and paths that

promote exercise, Diabetes Center for

Excellence, and training center within a

seniors housing development.

Examples of Sustainable Community

Features (2)

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi – master plan

that includes housing, rain gardens, walking

paths, community center.

9

1/29/13

Examples of Sustainable Community

Features (3)

Oglala Sioux Tribe –recently adopted the

Oyate Omniciye | Oglala Lakota Plan as the

official Regional Plan for Sustainable

Development

•  What communi>es do you know that are

exploring sustainability at a community level?

Exploring Elements of Sustainable

Communi>es

•  What is our community? Is it a reserva>on? What

if we are a “checkerboard” community?

•  What are the physical loca>ons that are

considered our community? How can we define

those beber for our residents (and perhaps for

people outside our community)? How can we

create our own boundaries if we want these?

•  How can we show a physical sense of pride in our

community?

Cultural Requirements

•  Use of domes>c or exterior space: where do

we live and how do we use our space?

•  Maintaining space or crea>ng new space for

old tradi>ons

•  Cultural center for celebra>ng and educa>ng

•  Subsistence rights

•  Keeping family or families together

10

1/29/13

Housing

•  How do we build our housing to be durable, energy

efficient, and use materials that are kinder to the

environment?

•  Type. Is it all single family? Is it mul>family? How do we

support different types of families with different

needs?

•  Does it provide suppor>ve services? How do residents

get to community services and ameni>es?

•  How close are the units? If each sits on an acre, what

does community look like? If closer together, what do

communal spaces look like?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Roof:

R44

Sidewalls:

R24

Basement Walls:

R10

Air Leakage: 360 CFM50

(equivalent to a 4” x 9” hole)

Annual Space Heating Cost:

$250 to $300

Construction Cost: $95/ft2

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

11

1/29/13

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Electrical

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Basement Wall

Window rough-‐opening

12

1/29/13

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

•  Benefits

•  Poten>al Drawbacks

–  Easy to work

–  May cost more than

–  Assembles quickly

standard frame

–  Air-‐>ghtness

construc>on

–  High R-‐values

–  Availability

–  Reduc>on in lumber

–  Structural strength

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s)

R20 insula>on

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

•  Benefits

•  Poten>al Drawbacks

–  High R-‐values above

–  Higher cost for above

and below grade

grade walls

–  Air-‐>ghtness

–  Addi>onal engineering

–  Durable

may be required

–  Reduc>on in lumber

–  Availability

13

1/29/13

Strawbale Construc>on

From Red Feather Development Group

www.redfeather.org

Strawbale Construc>on

•  Benefits

•  Poten>al Drawbacks

–  Excep>onal R-‐values

–  Restric>ve wall finishes

–  Air-‐>ghtness

–  Availability

–  Durable

–  Turns waste product

into a building product

Transporta>on

•  How do people get to ameni>es and services?

•  What do people without cars do? How can we

make them safe?

•  Do people want other op>ons?

•  Where are cars parked?

14

1/29/13

Landscaping and Space

•  How do people use the outdoors?

•  How is private and public outdoor space

related?

•  What does a rural community look like?

•  Who cares for space?

•  How do people more through the outdoors?

Economic Development

•  Where do people go to work?

•  Do we need more places to work?

•  Can these be woven into our residen>al

communi>es? Do we want them to be?

•  Do our communi>es support work for family

members with responsibility for children or

elders?

•  Are there places in our communi>es that can be

developed into work places to fill community

needs?

Health

•  Where do residents get their health care? Is

this easy to get to?

•  Where do they get educa>on on healthy

lifestyle?

•  Does our community make it easy to live a

healthy lifestyle? Are there physical changes

we could make to support this?

•  Are there safe places for children to play?

15

1/29/13

Services

What other services would we like inside our

community? Do we have enough people to use

that service?

•  Grocery store

•  Bank

•  Library

•  Entertainment

•  Restaurant

•  Gas Sta>on

•  Religious/Spiritual Ins>tu>ons

Keys to Success

•  One go-‐to person

•  Buy-‐In from tribal leadership

•  A team made of different cri>cal departments,

leaders, and organiza>ons

•  Local measures of sustainability, unique to your

community

•  Thorough research into op>ons, costs, and

consequences

•  On-‐going communica>on at all levels of tribal life

•  Many voices

Key to Success

•  Build to your climate

– Builder Field Guide (www.eeba.org)

– www.buildingscience.com

•  Review alterna>ve building systems

– Less expensive

– Energy efficient

– Resource efficient

– Good indoor air quality

16

Leveraging Utility Resources to

Fund ECRMs and Renewable

Energy Sources

1/29/13

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• Size the solar system based on anticipated load

• Recommend version 1 of !PV Watts" from NREL

• Receive utility approval for system design (should be

simple for systems less than 10kW…..residential

systems in Illinois should be less than 10kW for all

energy needs)

• Install!

<K&@9"")&?+"7+"&.*,&3L+#0*I&C*+)(&

Nominal system !size"

We need 8000kWh for 100% of Equinox House

Annual output

requirements and 2000kWh for 8000 miles of driving

!"#$#"%&<,*-())&GM6(,(0H&

Three Steps:

• Fill out form to become a

!distributed" generator

(small power plant less

than 10kW)

• Fill out application for a

!bi-directional" meter

• Inspection by utility

before permission to

come on line

• $25 application fee

• Most utilities require

accessible disconnect

near meter box

3

1/29/13

N("&O("(,&P,(1#"&

• In Illinois, no checks are written for excess electricity (some states have

!feed-in" rates, 3 or 4 times their sell rate to encourage growth)

• !Excess" solar energy generated is credited to your account

• Summer is time to !grow" energy credit

• Good synergism with Utility demand

• At end of !solar year" (April), credit is zeroed….this is time when house load

should be very low, so new credit will begin growing

• Can convert to !time-of-day" pricing in Ameren region through !Power Smart

Pricing" program … this gives #$" credit, which benefits solar because excess

in sunny afternoons when energy is $$$, and house needs can be shifted to

time when energy is $ (eg, AC and hot water at night)…should be able to pay

!fees" with $ credits

>*"9$&E*$9,&30(,2%&<,*1+-"#*0&

PV Watts prediction ~10,300kWh

2010-2011 actual ~11,000 to 12,000kWh

3L+#0*I&C*+)(&QRST@&E%)"(6&

• 40 panel packaged system

28,000

• Labor (100 hrs @ $35/hr)

3,500

• Steel, wire, post holes, concrete

3,500

• Total System Cost

$35,000

• Federal Rebate (30%, no limit)

- 10,500

• Net System Cost

$24,500

~Twice the system in 2009 as in 2008 for the same price!

-Cost over 20 years is ~12.5 cents per kWh

-no escalation of price over lifetime

-Solar powered Electric Vehicle cost less than $2 per

gallon gas

4

1/29/13

E*$9,&E%)"(6&50)"9$$9"#*0&

8.2kW nominal system size

~4 days to install rack and panels

~600 to 750 sqft

~10,000kWh per year

8000kWh for house

2000kWh for electric car

House panel area

Car panel area (8000

miles per year)

Solar Powered Electric Vehicles

25% less than Gas

• !Good" electric vehicles

(Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla

Roadster) obtain 3-5 miles

(5-7km) per kWh

• Solar electric cost $0.125/kWh

• ~$0.03-0.04 per mile

• ~$0.02-0.03 per km

• Gas car cost ($3/gal=$0.8/liter)

• ~50mpg=22km/liter

• ~$0.045-0.06 per mile

• ~$0.027-0.036 per km

And, EVs will be less $$$ than Gas Vehicles

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8

Case Study 1:

Cold Climate Energy Evaluation

of Existing and Newly

Constructed Units

ST. REGIS SUNRISE

ACRES ELDER

DEVELOPMENT

A Cold Climate Case Study of Energy

Efficiency and Sustainable Developments

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

• Location: St. Regis

Mohawk Indian

Reservation,

Hogansburg, NY

A Case Study of Energy Evaluation and

Recommendations for Affordable Housing

Sunrise Acres Elder Housing

Phase I and II Development

• The Akwesasne Housing

Authority manages the

Sunrise Acres elderly

housing development.

The development was

constructed in two

phases.

Tribal Philosophy

•  Tribal and housing authority

leadership believes: a quality

home is the foundation of

society and that provides a

pathway to achieving a quality

lifestyle.

•  Sunrise Acres Phase Two

illustrates the tribe and the

housing authority’s leadership

role in the successful design

and development of a

sustainable neighborhood,

Sunrise acres. Work completed

in Phase One illustrates the

tribe’s commitment to updating

an existing neighborhood to a

green, sustainable

neighborhood.

Phase One Site Description

• Built in 1998

• 6 apartment buildings with

20 units

• Administration building and

warehouse

• Each unit is two bedrooms,

3,497 sq ft.

• Stick Built with 2 X 6 wood

frame construction

• Kerosene is the primary

heating source.

Building Envelope

•  Walls: Each unit is separated by a 1-hour fire rated wall. The

typical wall construction: 1/2” gypsum board over 2” x 6” wood

frame, Tyvek over OSB, and exerior siding. Estimated thermal

resistance rating (R-value) of R-20.

•  Roof: The roof is hipped with an 3.5:12 slope. It is constructed

with wood trusses, dark brown asphalt shingles, metal roof

system. R38 insulation fiberglass Batt insulation above the

ceiling.

•  Floor: The ground floor is a 4” reinforced concrete slab on

grade with 1” polystyrene rigid insulation under the slab. The

main living areas of the apartments have carpet. The kitchen,

bath, and laundry room have sheet vinyl.

•  Windows: Andersen double pane glass with vinyl frame

windows

HVAC

Heating

•  The primary heating source for

each apartment unit: radiant floor

slab system powered by a cast-

iron boiler in each building.

•  Most of the boilers are a Weil

McLain Gold Oil Model P-WTGO-3

with an Annual Fuel Utilization

Efficiency (AFUE) of 85%

•  Provides roughly 100,000 BTU.

•  Fuel tank outside of each building

connects to the cast-iron boiler

•  Holds approximately 250 gallons of

kerosene.

•  Additional heating is supplied by

space heaters.

HVAC

Cooling

Ventilation

•  The primary cooling source:

•  Ventilation air: building

window air conditioning units.

infiltration and the residents

•  Each apartment has roughly

opening windows.

one AC unit with an estimated

•  Each bathroom exhaust fan

cooling efficiency, or Energy

is estimated to be

Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 8.5

performing at 35-50 CFM.

•  Ceiling insulation: R-38

•  Building plans for Phase 1

Sunrise Acres shows

bathroom exhaust fans and

the dryer vents are located

in the attic.

Domestic Hot Water

• Each apartment has a

Reliance 40-gallon electric

domestic water heater with

model number

5-40-2DRT4-Z

• Each estimated to have 53-

gallon first hour rating

• Uses approximately 4,773

kWh per year.

Lighting in Units

Operating

kWh

Location

Fixture Type

Watts

• Lighting: a 2’x4’ florescent

Hours

Usage

2-lamp 60W

light in the kitchen and

2 Bedrooms

240

1,460

350

Inc.

light fixtures throughout

2-lamp 34W 4'

Kitchen

72

2,190

158

T12

the apartment.

2-lamp 20W 2'

Kitchen sink

50

730

37

T12

• Currently retrofitting the

3-lamp 60W

Living room

180

2,920

526

60W incandescent lamps

Inc.

1-lamp 60W

with CFLs and the T12s

Bathroom

60

365

22

Inc.

with T8s.

Bathroom

2-lamp 60W

120

365

44

sink

Inc.

• Each of the Phase 1

1-lamp 60W

Laundry

60

365

22

Inc.

apartments are the same

1-lamp 60W

Hallway/ stair

60

365

22

Inc.

size: it was assumed that

1-lamp 60W

Exterior

60

1,095

66

each unit uses the lighting

Inc.

Total Watts

as in the Table.

902

9,855

1,245

per Unit

1,245 kWh * 16 cents =

$199.20 - $74.76 = $124.44

$199.20

over Phase 2 costs

Additional Plug Loads

• Additional plug loads in the

building include typical

residential appliances:

TVs, washer/dryer,

refrigerators, stoves,

microwaves, and task

lighting.

• AHA is currently replacing

refrigerators, microwaves,

and washers with

ENERGY STAR

appliances

• Project base model

assumes no ENERGY

STAR appliances.

Phase Two Site Description

•  Built in 2011.

•  Total project cost $7 million: $4

million in Recovery Act Funds

and $3 million NAHASDA funds.

•  Total of five one-story apartment

buildings each approximately

4,050 ft2 with an identical floor

plan as the Phase 1 buildings

•  Includes four apartments for a

total of 20 units.

•  The expansion project also

included a training center,

parking area, outdoor pavilion

and outdoor LED lighting.

Building Envelope

•  Walls: Each unit is separated by a 2-hour fire rated wall. The

typical wall construction:5/8” gypsum board over a Buildblock

6” ICF wall system, over 1/2” OSB sheathing with exterior

siding. Estimated thermal resistance rating (R-value) of R-20.

•  Roof: The roof is hipped with an 8:12 slope. It is constructed

with wood trusses, is covered in a standing seam metal roof

system, and has 6” of blown in cellulose insulation over 6” R-21

fiberglass Batt insulation above the ceiling. Total R-value:46

•  Floor: The ground floor is a 4” reinforced concrete slab on

grade with 2” polystyrene rigid insulation under the slab. The

main living areas of the apartments have carpet while the

kitchen, bath, and laundry room have sheet vinyl.

•  Windows: Architectural drawings show Andersen tilt-wash

double hung 400 series windows with low-e glazing. Vertical

blinds on all windows.

HVAC

Heating/Cooling

•  The primary heating and

cooling source: a radiant floor

heating from the geothermal

system.

•  A total of 44 wells were dug:

each apartment building has 7

wells, the training center has 9

wells.

Ventilation

•  Ventilation air: building

infiltration and the residents

opening windows.

•  Each bathroom is also

assumed to have an exhaust

fan originally rated at 70 CFM.

Solar Domestic Hot Water

•  Each apartment building is

provided domestic hot water

from a solar tube system

•  System in mechanical room

includes two tanks with a

holding capacity of 80

gallons: one holding tank for

the water heated by the solar

system, and one electric hot

water tank. Water from the

solar holding tank goes into

the electric tank.

•  Provides a 50% savings

compared to the Phase 1

buildings

Interior Lighting

• Natural lighting: windows

and solar tube lighting in

each apartment.

• Additional lighting: a

2’x4’ florescent light in

the kitchen and light

fixtures with CFL bulbs

throughout the

apartment.

• Lighting assumption the

same for each apartment

(see table).

Interior Unit Lighting Consumption

Operating

Location

Fixture Type

Watts

kWh Usage

Hours

Living room

(5) 1-lamp 13W CFL

65

1,460

95

2-4', 1-42", and 2-12"

Kitchen

130

2,190

285

T8

Hallway

(2) 2-lamp 13W CFL

52

730

38

Laundry

1-2' T8 fixture

13

2,920

38

1-lamp & 3-lamp 13W

Bathroom

52

365

19

CFL

3 Closets

1-lamp 34W 2' T8

34

365

12

Bedroom 1

2-lamp 13W CFL

26

365

9

Bedroom 2

2-lamp 13W CFL

26

365

9

2 Exterior

1-lamp 13W CFL

26

1,095

28

Total Watts per Unit

424

9,855

534

$199.20 - $74.76 = $124.44 savings over

534 kWh * 14 cents = $74.76

Phase 1

Additional Plug Loads

• Include typical

residential appliances:

TVs, washer/dryer,

refrigerators, stoves,

microwaves, and task

lighting.

• All appliances installed

were ENERGY STAR

rated.

Energy Analysis and Evaluation

A comprehensive energy analysis was conducted

on the two sites. The approach involved several

steps.

•  Initial information collected from AHA about each

building’s design, occupancy data, energy consumption,

and energy costs. Included:

•  Building plans

•  Utility consumption data for the last 12 months

•  Geographical location and climate data

•  Details about unit occupancy, mechanical equipment, HVAC

systems, and lighting fixtures from interviews with AHA staff and

during a site visit

Electricity Consumption Profiles

Phase 1 units:

The kWh usage

above the modeled

usage in the winter

months may be

caused by the

building being drafty

and occupants using

supplementary

space heaters.

Electricity Consumption Profiles

Phase 2 units:

•  Use more kWh than

Phase 1 because

geothermal systems

are electric.

• Low use in February is

due to a billing error.

Kerosene Consumption Profiles

kf sMMM

hsf MM

kMsMMM

hsMMM

i f sMMM

f MM

e

i MsMMM

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hf sMMM

pf MM

hMsMMM

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680

A

n

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2

2

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8

6, 2

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Computer Energy Modeling: eQUEST Version

3.64

• Modeled data was calibrated to match the actual

building energy usage from the utility bills.

• This baseline then used for evaluating the energy

cost reduction measures (ECRMs).

• The program uses these measures to calculate

the energy consumption and energy costs the

building is expected to use over an entire typical

weather year.

Assumptions For The eQUEST Model

• Because these units are for elders, it is estimated

that the tenants will be in the units 80% of the time

(approximately 134 hours/week).

• Winter temperature setting of 72 degrees (F);

summer, 75 degrees (F).

• 0.5 air changes per hour (ACH).

• Base model assumes that the Phase 1 units had

non-ENERGY STAR appliances.

• Lighting power density of approximately 0.90 W/ft2

for each unit

Energy Analysis Findings: Phase 1 Buildings

Average Annual Consumption

Annual Costs

Average Unit

Cost

$

Electricity

18,520 kWh

$ 2,948

36%

$/kWh

0.16

gallons

$ $/gal

Kerosene

1,340

$ 5,229

64%

delivered

3.90 delivered

x 4 buildings = $32,705

$ 8,176

Total:

total

Total Facilities Area

3,497 ft2

Electricity Use

Kerosene Use

Gallons/ft2/

5 kWh/ft2/yr

0.38

Intensity

Intensity

yr

Energy Use

Energy Cost

$

70 kBtu/ft2/yr

ft2/yr

Intensity

Intensity

2.34

Electricity is provided by National Grid and kerosene is supplied by #9 Fuels

Energy Analysis Findings: Phase 2 Buildings

Average Unit

Average Annual Consumption

Annual Costs

Cost

$

Electricity

30,181

kWh

$ 4,110

100%

$/kWh

0.14

gallons

$

$/gal

Kerosene

0

$ 0

0%

delivered

0.00

delivered

Total:

$ 4,110 x 5 buildings = $20,552 total

Total Facilities

4,050

ft2

Area

Electricity Use

Kerosene Use

Gallons/ft2/

7

kWh/ft2/yr

0

Intensity

Intensity

yr

Energy Use

Energy Cost

$

25

kBtu/ft2/yr

ft2/yr

Intensity

Intensity

1.01

Electricity is provided by National Grid and kerosene is supplied by #9 Fuels

Energy Consumption for Phase 1 Buildings

• From eQUEST modeled

Fans and

Plug

Pumps

loads

energy data.

2%

9%

• Energy consumption

DHW

7%

breakdown for a typical

4-unit apartment

Lighting

building.

8%

• The largest category of

energy usage is space

heating (74%), the

second largest is plug

Space

Heating

loads (9%), and the third

74%

largest is lighting (8%).

Energy Costs for Phase 1 Buildings

• When energy

Plug

Fans and

loads,

consumption is

Pumps,

$979,

converted to cost, the

$156, 2%

10%

most costly operational

DHW,

$731, 8%

categories are:

•  space heating ($6,668)

•  plug loads ($979)

•  lighting ($869).

Lighting,

Space

$869, 9%

• Areas to target first for

Heating,

energy savings

$6,668,

71%

Energy Consumption for Phase 2 Buildings

• From eQUEST modeled

Fans and

energy data

Pumps

Space

13%

• Energy consumption

Heating

Plug loads

breakdown for a typical

25%

19%

4-unit apartment

building.

• The largest category of

energy usage is space

heating (25%), the

Space

second largest is lighting Lighting

Cooling

(22%), and the third

22%

3%

largest is plug loads

DHW

(19%).

18%

Energy Costs for Phase 2 Buildings

• The energy cost

Fans and

Space

breakdown.

Pumps,

Heating,

$550, 13%

$1,058,

•  When energy

Plug

25%

consumption is

loads,

$805, 19%

converted to cost, the

most costly operational

categories are:

•  space heating ($1,058)

•  lighting ($926)

Space

Cooling,

•  plug loads ($805)

Lighting,

$129, 3%

$926, 22%

• First areas to target for

DHW,

energy savings.

$782, 18%

Energy Cost Reduction Measures

Energy conservation is best achieved through a

multifaceted approach that involves:

1. Load reduction, whether no cost or low cost

2. Energy efficiency improvements

3. Energy generation.

ECRM: Lighting Upgrade

H

e

i

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di

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i p 2 6 i M i c hi

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dkM

kd

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kp 2 6 KM 4 t

hHM

i s9i M

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Phase 1

,18552

hp 2 6 KM 4 t

KM

kKf

i i

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i p 2 6 KM 4 t

hi M

kKf

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Older

n 4 8A

hp 2 6 KM 4 t

KM

kKf

i i

Units:

l A S-‐,0 8

hp 2 6 KM 4 t

KM

kKf

i i

$199.20

y, 8058

hp 2 6 KM 4 t

KM

hsM9f

KK

or s

o$ut t

y$sBt

Dh99ti MpDdBtdK ' ysBnBB

s

hsi Bf 3 1 OhK 4,-‐ ' Dh99ti M

H

e

0e04 8552

bf r hp 2 6 hk

Kf

hsBKM

9f

0, 1 4

i pBcshpBi os4

i phi o H

hkM

i sh9M

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bi r i p 2 6 hk

f i

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Phase 2

,18552

hp 2 6 N kp 2 6 hk

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New

k 5-‐ ,-‐

hp 2 6 kB i c H

kB

kKf

hi

8552 h

i p 2 6 hk

i K

kKf

9

Units:

8552 i

i p 2 6 hk

i K

kKf

9

$74.76

i y, 8058

hp 2 6 hk

i K

hsM9f

i H

BsB

o$ut t

t kB

Dh99ti MpDdBtdK ' ysBnBB

f kB 3 1 OhB 4,-‐ ' DdBtdK

y

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

• The Annual Yield on an equivalent investment.

• Project is rated a good investment if the IRR is greater than

could be earned through a different investment such as

other projects, bonds, bank accounts.

• Currently 5% is the assumed rate of return.

Net Present Value (NPV)

• Uses a discount rate to the find the present value of savings

occurring at a future date.

• The discount rate is the minimum acceptable rate of return –

also 5% is the assumed rate of return.

• Investments with a posikve NPV are considered good

investments.

ECRM 1: Lighting Upgrade

•  The electrical plans for Phase 1 indicated that there are a total of 68 lamps in

the building.

•  Lighting provided by a 2 lamp 4’ 34W T12 florescent fixture and a 2 lamp 2’

20W T12 (over the sink) in the kitchen and from the ceiling fixtures in the

living room and bedrooms.

•  Baseline model assumes that each light fixture would have a 60W

incandescent lamp providing a total average of 1.03 W/sq. ft. for the whole

building.

ECRM 1: CFL Lighting

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons of

kWh

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

Kerosene

3,696

-30

$591

4%

$69

860%

$4,283

ECRM 2: ENERGY STAR Refrigerator

Replacement

•  The refrigerator currently in use in each of the four units of the

building is a 1989 Westinghouse RT143GCDA

•  Costs $206 annually to run

•  An equivalent new ENERGY STAR model would only cost $39

annually to run.

ECRM 2: ENERGY STAR Refrigerator Replacement

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

2,992

$479

4%

$1,600

27%

$1,997

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

• Research shows that access to fresh, clean water is also

becoming a dwindling resource. Shortages in certain

areas of the United States are already causing water to be

the next leading concern.

• Reducing water consumption will save water and reduce

energy to heat hot water.

• Low-flow showerheads and aerators are inexpensive,

simple to install, and save hot water heating costs.

• Recommended: low flow showerheads (1.6 GPM or less),

faucet aerators (1.0 GPM or less) and kitchen sink

aerators (1.8 GPM or less). Some faucet aerators will

reduce flow to 0.5 GPM.

ECRM 3: Low-Flow Showerheads

•  The 4 units of each building have standard showerheads.

•  Figuring $0.16 per kWh, in addition to the $195 saved on annual water

heating costs (in table), it should also save $41 on water usage costs

(at $3.70/1000 gallons) totaling $236 in savings.

ECRM 3: Low-Flow Showerheads

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons of

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

Water

1,219

10,950

$236

2%

$200

118%

$2,605

ECRM 4: Low-Flow Aerators

•  All of the units’ sinks have standard aerators.

•  Switching to 8 low flow units will save approximately 697 kWh and

8,760 gallons of water annually.

•  Figuring $0.16 per kWh, this will save $112 on annual water heating

costs and $32 on water usage costs (at $3.70/1000 gallons) totaling

$144 in savings.

ECRM 4: Low-Flow Aerators

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons of

kWh

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

Water

697

8,760

$144

1%

$160

90%

$1,556

ECRM 5: Water-Saver Toilets

•  Toilets should be replaced with high efficiency units using ≤ 1.28

gallons per flush.

•  Switching to 4 low flow units will save approximately 13,105

gallons of water annually.

•  Figuring $3.70 per 1,000 gallons, this will save $48 on annual

water usage costs.

ECRM 5: Water-Saver Toilets

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons of

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

Water

13,105

$48

<1%

$1,200

78%

$11,344

ECRM 6: Boiler Upgrade

•  The current boiler system in each of the four units of the building is

a Weil Mclain Gold Oil Model P-WTGO-3 with an AFUE of 85.

•  An ENERGY STAR rated system with a 3.6 Coefficient of

Performance (COP) may save 140 gallons of kerosene annually

resulting in an annual cost savings of $547.

•  The lifespan of boiler is calculated at 20 years. This upgrade will

pay back within its lifespan (15 years), therefore implementation of

this measure is recommended.

ECRM 6: Boiler Upgrade

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons of

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

Kerosene

140

$547

8%

$8,000

3%

-$1,128

Renewable Energy Sources

• May be use to either supplement or create

complete energy independence.

• Three renewable energy sources were modeled

and recommended:

• Geothermal

• Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water

• Photovoltaic Array

ECRM 7: Geothermal

•  Replacing the current kerosene boiler system with a geothermal heat

pump system with a 14.5 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

for cooling and a 3.6 COP for heating, may save 1.262 gallons of

kerosene annually. Annual cost savings of $2,346.

•  The lifespan of the geothermal system is calculated at 20 years. This

upgrade will pay back in just under its lifespan (19 years); therefore,

implementation of this measure is recommended.

ECRM 7: Geothermal Upgrade

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons

kWh

of

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

Kerosene

-16,090

1,262

$2,346

50%

$45,000

0%

-$15,014

With 30% Tax Credit:

$31,500

4%

-$2,156

ECRM 8: Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water

•  Current use: around 4,600 kWh to heat water per year.

•  Evacuated-tube solar collectors could offset most of the electricity used for

heating hot water.

•  Panels are available capable of producing 14,700 Btus/day in the Northern

New York region. The panel size is around 41ft² (varies by manufacturer) and

the building would need two to produce all of the building’s hot water needs.

•  Panel first cost estimated at nearly $2,000.

•  The economics of this are favorable with a 4-year payback before incentives.

If the 30% federal tax credit is taken advantage of, the cost would be reduced

to $1,400 and would pay back in 3 years.

ECRM 8: Solar Thermal DHW Upgrade

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

3,214

$514

5%

$2,000

25%

$4,199

With 30% Tax Credit:

$1,400

37%

$4,770

ECRM 9: Photovoltaic Array

•  The purpose of a photovoltaic array is to reduce the use of traditional energy

sources and create renewable energy.

•  Captures solar energy and converts it to electricity for home use. This cuts

down on the amount of energy that must be purchased from the utility

company.

•  The PV Watts calculator indicated that a 5.0 kW array in the Massena, NY,

area will produce 5,814 kWh annually.

•  The investment cost is calculated with the $9,000 federal/state tax credit. This

array would pay back within the photovoltaic 25 year lifespan (23 years).

Therefore, the measure is recommended for implementation.

ECRM 9: Photovoltaic Array

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

5,814

$930

9%

$30,000

-2%

-$16,085

With 30% Tax Credit:

$21,000

1%

-$7,514

ECRM Recommendation Summary

Savings

Economic Analysis

Gallons

ECRM

Gallons of

%

kWh

of

Cost

Investment

IRR

NPV

SP

Kerosene

Energy

Water

ECRM 1 CFL upgrades

3,696

$591

5%

$69

860%

$4,283

0

ENERGY STAR

ECRM 2

2,992

$479

4%

$1,600

27%

$1,997

3

Refrigerators

Low-Flow

ECRM 3

1,219

10,950

$236

2%

$200

118%

$2,605

1

Showerheads

Low-Flow

ECRM 4

697

8,760

$144

1%

$160

90%

$1,556

1

Aerators

ECRM 5 Low-Flow Toilets

13,105

$48

<1%

$1,200

78%

$11,344

25

ECRM 6 Boiler Upgrade

140

$547

8%

$8,000

3%

-$1,128

15

ECRM 7 Geothermal

-16,090

1,262

$2,346

50%

$45,000

0%

-$15,014 19

With Incentives

$31,500

4%

-$2,156

13

Solar Thermal

ECRM 8

3,214

$514

5%

$2,000

25%

$4,199

4

DHW

With Incentives

$1,400

37%

$4,770

3

ECRM 9 Photovoltaic Array 5,814

$930

9%

$30,000

-2% -$16,085 32

With Incentives

$21,000

1%

-$7,514

23

All Recommend

Package 1 ECRMs - Boiler

17,632

140

$3,489

34%

$43,229

5%

$245

12

Upgrade

With Incentives

$22,400

15%

$20,082

6

All Recommend

Package 2 ECRMs -

1,542

1,262

$5,288

77%

$80,229

3%

-$13,640 15

Geothermal

With Incentives

$53,900

8%

$11,435

10

Note

•  With any ECRM, be sure to do your research.

•  How much will it cost you?

•  How much energy do you need?

•  What is the lifespan of the unit or building in question?

•  Especially when considering the renewable energy ECRMs,

seek expert advice to ensure that you know all of the

considerations, pitfalls, and available incentives!

Getting the Most Out of ECRMs

•  Follow maintenance instructions to keep equipment

functioning at its peak.

•  Ensure that your housing staff is educated in

maintenance of new systems.

•  Bring in experts to maintain systems or train your

staff.

•  Provide residents with education on how use or care

for equipment, what to expect, and how to get

assistance.

Case Study 2:

Warm Climate Energy Efficiency

Upgrades in Existing Multifamily

Building

1/29/13

COCOPAH EXISTING

MULTIFAMILY BUILDING

A Warm Climate Case Study of Energy

Efficiency and Sustainable Developments

Cocopah Tribe

•  The Cocopah

Reservation is

located in

southwestern

Arizona, near the

town of Somerton, 13

miles south of Yuma.

A Case Study of Energy Evaluation and

Recommendations for Affordable Housing

Cocopah Site Image

• Cocopah Indian Housing

and Development

(CIHAD) manages the

units.

• The three eight-unit

garden-style buildings and

a community building

were constructed in 2003

• Building B was evaluated.

1

1/29/13

Tribal Philosophy

•  The Cocopah Indian Tribe’s

commitment to providing its

members with safe,

affordable, healthy and

energy efficient housing

encourages members living

on the Reservation to remain

and encourages members

now living off-Reservation to

return.

•  As part of this vision, the

CIHAD decided to explore

Traditional Cocopah Home

options to retrofit this

development with more

energy efficient sustainable

features.

Site Description

• Constructed in 2003

• Three apartment buildings

with 24 units, and

community building

• Each building has four two-

bedroom (855 SF each)

and four three-bedroom

(1,107 SF each) units

totaling 8,532 SF.

• Stick Built with 2 X 6 wood

frame construction

• The buildings are all

electric.

Building Envelope

•  Walls: The typical wall construction is 5/8” gypsum board, 2x6

wood stud construction at 16” on center with R-19 fiberglass

batt insulation, 60 MIL building paper, and 7/16” oriented strand

board sheathing with stucco and mesh. Estimated thermal

resistance rating (R-value) of R-22.

•  Roof: The roof is gabled with a 4:12 slope. It is constructed

with 2x6 pre-engineered wood trusses at 24” on center,

covered in 7/16” oriented strand board, #15 felt, and 240#

fiberglass shingles. There is R-32 blown insulation above the

ceiling.

•  Floor: The main floor is a 5” reinforced concrete slab on 2” of

clean sand. The second floor is 2x10 wood floor joists at 16”

on center with ¾” gypsum concrete subfloor and ¾” tongue and

groove CDX plywood. The bedrooms, hall, dining room, and

living room are carpeted. The kitchen, storage, and bathrooms

are vinyl composite tile.

•  Windows: clear double pane glazing

2

1/29/13

HVAC

Heating/Cooling

•  Amana split system heat pumps

that are 3 to 3.5 ton (1000 to 1200

cubic feet per minute or CFM)

depending on unit size.

•  Ambient temperature 115 °F

cooling, 40 °F heating, and

minimum SEER of 12.0.

Ventilation

•  Ventilation air is provided by

infiltration and operable windows.

•  Each bathroom also has an

exhaust fan rated at 100 CFM.

Domestic Hot Water

• The units have 40 gallon

electric water heaters

(Whirlpool E1F40RD045V)

• Energy factor (EF) of 0.92.

Lighting in Units

• Lighting:

Fixture

Operatin

kWh

Location

Watts

incandescent light

Type

g Hours Usage

fixtures

(4) 2 Bedrooms

2-lamp 60W 960

365

350

throughout each

(4) 3 Bedrooms

2-lamp 60W 1,440

365

526

unit.

(8) Kitchen

1-lamp 60W 480

365

175

• Assumption of 60

(8) Living room

1-lamp 60W 480

365

175

watt incandescent (4) 1 Bathroom 3-lamp 60W 720

730

526

lamps

(4) 2 Bathrooms

3-lamp 60W 1,440

730

1,051

(8) Hall

1-lamp 60W 480

2,190

1,051

Totals per

6,000

5,110

3,854

Building:

3,854 kWh * 13 cents = $501.02

3

1/29/13

Additional Plug Loads

• Additional plug loads in

the building include

typical residential

appliances: TVs,

refrigerators, stoves,

microwaves, and task

lighting.

Energy Analysis and Evaluation

A comprehensive energy analysis was conducted

on Building B. The approach involved several

steps.

•  Initial information was collected from the tribal housing

authority about each building’s design, occupancy data,

energy consumption, and energy costs. This included

the following:

•  Building plans

•  Utility consumption data for the last 12 months

•  Geographical location and climate data

•  Details about unit occupancy, mechanical equipment, HVAC

systems, and lighting fixtures from interviews with Tribal Housing

Authority staff and during a site visit

Computer Energy Modeling: eQUEST Version 3.64

• Modeled data was calibrated to match the actual building

energy usage from the utility bills.

• This baseline was then used for evaluating the energy

cost reduction measures (ECRMs).

• The program uses these measures to calculate the

energy consumption and energy costs the building is

expected to use over an entire typical weather year.

4

1/29/13

Assumptions of the eQUEST Model

:

•  It is assumed that 40 people will be living in each building

(two people per bedroom). While occupancy is highly

dependent on the individual lifestyles of the families, it is

assumed that half of the household will spend most of their

time at home. Therefore it is assumed that the families will

primarily be in the units 75 percent of the time

(approximately 126 hours/week).

•  Air changes per hour (ACH) of 0.5.

•  Non-ENERGY STAR appliances.

•  Lighting power density of approximately 0.76 W/ft2 for the

building.

Energy Analysis Findings: Building B

(before CFL upgrade)

Average Annual Consumption

Annual Costs

Average Unit Cost

Electricity

70,50

kWh

$9,295

100%

0.13 $/kWh

9

Natural Gas

therms

$/therm

Total:

$9,295

Total Conditioned

5,574 ft2

Area

Electricity Use

13 kWh/ft2/yr Natural Gas Use

Therms/ft2/

Intensity

Intensity

yr

Energy Use Intensity

43 kBtu/ft2/yr Energy Cost Intensity

$1.67 $/ft2/yr

Electricity is provided by APS Electric

Energy Analysis Findings: Building B

(after CFL upgrade)

Average Annual Consumption

Annual Costs

Average Unit Cost

Electricity

67,60

kWh

$8,789

100%

0.13 $/kWh

4

Natural Gas

therms

$/therm

Total:

$8,789

Total Conditioned

5,574 ft2

Area

Electricity Use

12 kWh/ft2/yr Natural Gas Use

Therms/ft2/

Intensity

Intensity

yr

Energy Use Intensity

41 kBtu/ft2/yr Energy Cost Intensity

$1.58 $/ft2/yr

5

1/29/13

Energy Consumption and Cost for Building B

• Uses eQUEST modeled

energy data to create

energy consumption

profile for Building B.

• The largest category of

energy usage is space

cooling (32%), the

second largest is interior

lighting (21%), and the

third largest is plug loads

(19%).

• Areas to target for

energy savings.

Energy Cost Reduction Measures

Energy conservation is best achieved through a

multifaceted approach that involves:

1. Load reduction, whether no cost or low cost

2. Energy efficiency improvements

3. Energy generation.

ECRM: Lighting Upgrade

Operati

Location

Fixture Type

Watts

ng

kWh Usage

Hours

Building B

(4) 2 Bedrooms

2-lamp 60W

960

365

350

with

(4) 3 Bedrooms

2-lamp 60W

1,440

365

526

incandescent

(8) Kitchen

1-lamp 60W

480

365

175

lamps:

(8) Living room

1-lamp 60W

480

365

175

(4) 1 Bathroom

3-lamp 60W

720

730

526

$501.02

(4) 2 Bathrooms

3-lamp 60W

1,440

730

1,051

(8) Hall

1-lamp 60W

480

2,190

1,051

Totals per

6,000

5,110

3,854

Building:

3,854 kWh * 13 cents = $501.02 Operatin

Building B

Location

Fixture Type

Watts

kWh Usage

g Hours

with

(4) 2 Bedrooms

2-lamp 13W

224

365

82

CFLs:

(4) 3 Bedrooms

2-lamp 13W

336

365

123

$123.37

(8) Kitchen

1-lamp 13W

120

365

44

(8) Living room

1-lamp 13W

120

365

44

(4) 1 Bathroom

3-lamp 13W

180

730

131

(4) 2 Bathrooms

3-lamp 13W

360

730

263

(8) Hall

1-lamp 13W

120

2,190

263

Totals per

1,460

5,110

949

Building:

$377.65 savings over 60W

949 kWh * 13 cents = $123.37

incandescent

6

1/29/13

ECRM 1: Lighting Upgrade

•  Lighting is currently provided by incandescent light fixtures.

•  A 60W incandescent lamp in each fixture calculates to a lighting power

density of 0.76 W/ft2.

•  13W CFLs may save 2,171 kWh annually. Cost savings of $282.

•  The lifespan of lighting: 5 years. The replacement of the incandescent lamps

with CFLs will pay back in just over a year.

ECRM 1: CFL Lighting Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

2,171

$282

3%

$395

66%

$788

1.40

ECRM 2: ENERGY STAR Refrigerator

Replacement

•  The refrigerator currently in use is a 1995 GE CTX18CAX.

•  Costs $112 annually to run.

•  An equivalent new ENERGY STAR model would only cost $51 annually to

run.

ECRM 2: Refrigerator Upgrade

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

3,754 $488

6%

$3,200

9%

$541

6.56

Window Shades

• Adding shading devices to the exterior on the south of the

building can best prevent sun from heating a space.

• Interior window shades help, but allow the heat to enter

through the window.

• Exterior shades prevent some of the solar radiation from

reaching the window and therefore entering the building.

7

1/29/13

Window Shades

The windows on the south side of the building currently

have no exterior shading device other than the 2’

overhang for the windows on the second floor.

ECRM 3: Exterior Window Shade

Upgrade

•  Option 1: Adding 4’ louvered shades above the windows on the south side of

the building may save 1,860 kWh annually. Annual cost savings: $242.

•  Option 2: If 8’ decks were added for the second floor that shaded the 1st floor

windows, 2,240 kWh could be saved annually. Annual cost savings: $291.

•  The lifespan of the shading: 20 years. The additional 4’ shading will pay back

in far less time than the 6’ decks.

ECRM 3: Exterior Window Shade Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple

Options

Investme

Paybac

kWh

Cost

% Energy

IRR

NPV

nt

k

(years)

4’ Window

1,860

$242

3%

$2,000

10%

$965

8.27

Shades

Decks/Window 2,240 $291

3%

$6,000

0%

-$2,258

20.60

Shades

ECRM 4: Triple Pane Low-E Window

Upgrade

•  The current windows of the building are typical double pane windows with

clear glazing.

•  New triple pane window that have low emissivity may save 2,100 kWh

annually. Annual cost savings: $273.

•  The lifespan of windows: 20 years. The window replacement with triple pane

windows will pay back in just over the 20 year lifespan.

ECRM 4: Triple Pane Low-E Window Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

2,100

$273

3%

$6,000

-1%

-$2,474

21.98

8

1/29/13

ECRM 5: HVAC Upgrade

•  The current HVAC system: a split system single zone with an air source heat

pump. It has a cooling efficiency of 12 SEER, and a heating efficiency of 3

coefficient of performance (COP).

•  An ENERGY STAR rated system with a 14.5 SEER and a 3.6 COP, may save

4,720 kWh annually. Annual cost savings of $614.

•  The lifespan of HVAC is calculated at 20 years.

ECRM 5: HVAC Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

4,720

$614

7%

$16,000

-2%

-$7,955

26.08

ECRM 6: Radiant Barrier Upgrade

•  The existing attic insulation is blown-in R-32.

•  By adding a radiant barrier with additional attic insulation of R-11 (a combined

total of R-43), heating and cooling losses may be minimized.

•  The calculations below use $1.20/ sq. ft. for insulation and labor. If this cost

could be reduced to under $0.40/sq. ft. the additional insulation would pay for

itself within its 25-year lifespan.

ECRM 6: Radiant Barrier Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

450

$59

1%

$4,608

-7%

-$3,603

78.77

Renewable Energy Sources

• Renewable energy sources may be use to either

supplement or create complete energy

independence.

• Three renewable energy sources were modeled:

• Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water

• Photovoltaic Array

• Geothermal

9

1/29/13

ECRM 7: Solar Thermal Domestic Hot

Water

•  Building B currently uses around 9,200 kWh to heat water per year.

•  Evacuated-tube solar collectors could offset most of the electricity used for heating hot

water. Panels are available capable of producing 28,000 British thermal units (BTUs)/

day in the southern Arizona region. The panel size is around 55ft² (varies by

manufacturer).

•  The building needs two panels to meet hot water needs. The panels would have a first

cost of nearly $3,000. The economics of this are favorable with a 4-year payback before

incentives.

•  If the 30 percent federal tax credit and the $0.50/kWh saved APS incentive (up to half of

the project cost) can be used, the cost would be reduced to $600 and would pay back in

less than a year.

ECRM 7: Solar Thermal

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

6,465

$840

10%

$3,000

28%

$8,424

3.57

With tax credit and

$600

140%

$10,710

0.71

incentive:

ECRM 8: Photovoltaic Array

A photovoltaic array (PVs) can reduce the use of traditional energy sources.

This system captures solar energy and converts it to electricity for use in the

home. It cuts down on the amount of energy that must be purchased from the

utility company.

PV Watts calculator analysis indicates that a 4.0 kW array in the Somerton,

AZ, area will produce 6,221 kWh annually.

The investment cost is calculated with the $8,400 federal/state tax credit and

the $800 state utility rebate. With the tax credit, the calculator shows that this

array would pay back within the photovoltaic 25-year lifespan.

ECRM 8: Photovoltaic Array Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple

kWh

Cost % Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

Payback

(years)

6,221 $809

9%

$17,800

1%

-$6,097

22.01

ECRM 9: Geothermal

•  The purpose of a geothermal system is to reduce the use of traditional energy sources.

This system uses the temperature of the earth to heat and cool buildings.

•  There is a federal tax credit (30 percent of measure cost) available for implementing a

geothermal system.

•  The e-Quest model indicates that this measure should not be implemented as the

measure will not pay off in its lifetime (20 years).

ECRM 9: Geothermal System Upgrade

Annual Savings

Economic Analysis

Simple Payback

kWh

Cost

% Energy

Investment

IRR

NPV

(years)

-940

-$122

-1%

$48,000

-$47,165

-392.8

with 30% Federal Tax Credit:

$33,600

-$33,478

-269.8

10

1/29/13

ECRM Recommendation Summary

Annual Energy Savings

Economic Analysis

Energy Cost

Number

Simple

Reduction Measure

of

kWh

Cost

% Energy Investment

IRR

NPV

Payback

(ECRM)

ECRMs

(years)

CFLs

79

2,171

$282

3%

$395

66%

$788

1.40

Refrigerators

8

3,754

$488

6%

$3,200

9%

$541

6.56

Window Shades

20

1,860

$242

3%

$2,000

10%

$965

8.27

Window Shades 2

4

2,240

$291

3%

$6,000

0%

-$2,258

20.60

Triple low-e

20

2,100

$273

3%

$6,000

windows

-1%

-$2,474

21.98

HVAC Upgrade

8

4,720

$614

7%

$16,000

-2%

-$7,955

26.08

Radiant Barrier

3,840 ft²

450

$59

1%

$4,608

-7%

-$3,603

78.77

Solar Thermal

2

6,465

$840

10%

$600

140%

$10,710

0.71

Photovoltaic Array

4 KW

6,221

$809

9%

$17,800

1%

-$6,097

22.01

Geothermal

32 wells

-940

-$122

-1%

$48,000

0%

-$47,165

-392.80

All Recommend

20,471 $2,661

30%

$23,995

9%

$8,733

9.02

ECRMs

Package of Recommended ECRMs

•  The purpose of this package is to combine the ECRMs recommended for

implementation, and calculate the combined energy savings for these measures. This

package includes CFL, refrigerator, and exterior window shades. It also includes the

renewable energy sources: photovoltaic array and solar thermal. When analyzed in

the e-Quest model, the package of ECRMs will pay off well within the lifetime of the

photovoltaic array and solar thermal (25 years).

•  After implementing the ECRM package, the utility consumption analysis would be

estimated as:

Utility Consumption Analysis of Building B after Upgrade

Average Annual Consumption

Annual Costs

Average Unit Cost

Electricity

50,038 kWh

$6,505

100%

0.13 $/kWh

Natural Gas

therms

$/therm

Total:

$6,505

Total Conditioned Area

5,574 ft2

Electricity Use Intensity

9 kWh/ft2/yr

Natural Gas Use Intensity

Therms/ft2/yr

Energy Use Intensity

31 kBtu/ft2/yr

Energy Cost Intensity

$1.17

$/ft2/yr

Leveraging ECRMs with Utility Resources

Local utility companies may offer energy efficiency incentives and on-site

energy assessments of buildings to eligible customers. The Database of State

Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: http://www.dsireusa.org/ provides a

summary of available and eligible state and utility resources.

•  APS provides a Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP). The program

provides a free on-site energy assessment to identify areas of upgrade for

energy savings, free energy cost reduction measures (ECRMs), and technical

and field support to assist with installation to eligible building owners. In May

2012, the Tribe requested an on-site energy assessment of Building B to

determine eligible ECRMs. In June, MEEP installed, at no cost the following

ECRMs:

•  24 Kitchen Faucet Aerators and 36 Bathroom Faucet Aerators

•  38 Low-Flow Showerheads

•  360 Compact Fluorescent Lamps

•  Incentives are offered for solar thermal domestic hot water, and photovoltaic

array installation.

11

Energy Cost Reduction Measures

and Benchmarking in Existing

(with exercise in energy use)

ENERGY COST REDUCTION MEASURES IN EXISTING

HOMES AND BENCHMARKING

Energy Cost Reduc0on Measures (ECRMS)

There are three types of ECRMs.

•  Load reduc0ons

•  Energy efficiency improvements

•  Renewable energy improvements

Load Reduc0on

•  First step

•  Low-‐ or no-‐cost strategies

•  Turn it off!

•  Resident educa0on

•  Example: thermostat set-‐backs, turning off lights

Energy Efficiency Improvements

•  Includes some cost

•  Replacing old or failing systems with newer or more

effec0ve systems that will save in u0lity costs and

usage

•  May result in load reduc0on as well

•  Examples include: replacing refrigerators, hea0ng

systems, ligh0ng fixtures

Renewable Energy Improvements

•  Most expensive strategy

•  Offsets some of remaining energy consump0on with

energy genera0on

•  Step toward energy independence, but requires

careful planning

•  Done aPer the first two strategies

•  Examples include geothermal systems, solar

domes0c hot water, photovoltaic arrays

Renewable Energy Improvements

•  Part of long-‐term tribal community energy

strategy

•  Consider aPer other ECRMs

•  Seek expert advice

•  Carefully research incen0ves

Primary Barriers to ECRM

Lack of informa0on on:

•  Reliability

•  Costs

•  Savings and paybacks

Tools for Determining Useful

ECRMs

Simple Payback

•  Determines when the savings from an investment

will cover the (extra) cost of the investment.

•  Simple payback does not consider compounded

savings, discount rates, or infla0on rates –which

play a role in calcula0ng the precise payback over

many years or decades.

•  Simple Payback = Cost of Energy Efficient Product /

Annual Electricity Savings

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

•  The Annual Yield on an equivalent investment.

•  Project is rated a good investment if the IRR is

greater than could be earned through a different

investment such as other projects, bonds, bank

accounts.

•  Currently 5% is the assumed rate of return.

Net Present Value (NPV)

•  Uses a discount rate to the find the present value

of savings occurring at a future date.

•  The discount rate is the minimum acceptable rate

of return –also 5% is the assumed rate of return.

•  Investments with a posi0ve NPV are considered

good investments.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

•  A unit of measurement that describes a

building’s energy use. The calcula0on is: total

energy consumed for 12 months/total flour

space of the building.

Example of EUI per kBtu/sq P

Energy Costs

Sq FT

EUI

K-‐12 School

$7,500,000

50,000

150

169

$ 9,000,000

50,000

180

169

Cold Climate – Conven0onal Built

Roof:

R33

Sidewalls:

R11

Basement Walls: R10

Window U-‐value: 0.65

Air Leakage:

11.48 ACH50

Furnace:

80% AFUE (propane)

Water Heater:

56% EF (propane)

Refrigerator:

1100 kWh/yr

Ligh\ng: Incandescent

Dishwasher:

Old

Ranch: Built 1987 1,176 sqa

Basement Windows: SG with storms

Wood frame construc\on

HERS Index:

114

Cold Climate – Energy Efficient

Roof:

R43

Sidewalls:

R11

Basement Walls: R10

Window U-‐value: 0.65

Air Leakage:

7.01 ACH50

Furnace:

92% AFUE (propane)

Water Heater:

62% EF (propane)

Refrigerator:

420 kWh/yr

Ligh\ng: 50% CFLs

Dishwasher:

Energy Star

Ranch: Built 1987 1,176 sqa

Basement Windows: SG with storms

HERS Index:

87

Wood frame construc\on

Annual Savings: $613

Find Out More?

•  Hire an expert.

•  Find simple payback calcula0on worksheet at the

Department of the Interior

o  hjp://www.doi.gov/greening/energy/efficiency.cfm

•  Federal Energy Management Programs Energy and Cost

Savings Calculators for Energy-‐Efficient Products

o  hjp://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/

eep_eccalculators.html

o  These are for government agencies and may calculate based on

bulk purchases. Some are web applica0ons and some are

downloadable Excel files.

Summary: Put Your Home on Ener

Recommendations for Redu

gy Diet

cing Home Energy Usage

Caulk around wall,

The biggest culprits are furnace exhaust vents

ceiling, and floor

penetrating the ceiling, water pipes going through walls

and floors, and around kitchen and bathroom exhaust

penetrations.

•  Mix and match choices with

fans.

Install foam gaskets

behind faceplates of

Air leaks around outlets and lightswitches is common in

exterior walls, but interior wall outlets can also let air

energy saving habits and

electricial outlets and escape up the walls and into the attic.

light switches.

Weatherstrip around

Weatherstripping should be compressed when the door or

technology

windows, doors, and window is shut. Also make sure door sweeps and

attic hatches.

threshholds are in good condition.

Seal duct joints with

All supply and return duct joints should be sealed to

duct mastic, mastic

ensure proper air distribution. Ducts in unconditioned

•  Conduct a Power$mart

tape, or butyl-

spaces (attics, garages, crawlspaces) should be insulated

aluminum tape.

to a minimum of R6 after air sealing.

assessment of your home

Replace incandescent Compact fluorescents save significantly on electricity

bulbs with compact

costs and usually last six or seven years. T8 tubular

fluorescent lamps.

fluorscents are another efficient way of lighting the home.

at:

Install and use

These automatically reduce/increase temperatures in the

programmable

heating/cooling season during the night and while people

are away in the day time. Occupants can also temporarily

thermostats.

override the settings when desired

–  Energy Star Home Energy

Lower the temperature Most households don't need water any hotter than 120

of water heaters to 120 degrees. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature,

degrees.

you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.

Yards0ck

Insulate hot water

Domestic hot water lines should be insulated to prevent

heat loss, and cold water lines should be insulated to

pipes.

reduce surface condensation problems.

–  hjps://www.energystar.gov/

Put an insulating

A water heater tank that's warm to the touch needs

jacket on your water

additional insulation. Doing so can reduce standby heat

index.cfm?

losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in

heater.

water heating costs.

Install low-flow high-

fuseac0on=HOME_ENERGY_Y

If it takes less than 20 seconds for your shower flow to fill

pressure

a one gallon bucket, a low-flow shower head could help

showerheads.

save on water heating costs.

ARDSTICK.showGetStarted

Buy ENERGY STAR® Changing to ENERGY STAR labeled appliances can save

appliances

the average home $80 a year in energy costs.

Switching to a 90+ AFUE furnace from an 80 AFUE

–  Home Energy Saver

Replace Older

Furnaces with High-

furnace will save at least 10% on annual heating costs. It

is recommended that furnaces that are more than 15

Efficiency Units

years old be replaced with high-efficiency units.

–  hjp://

Change Lifestyle

Provide education and training on energy conservation

Habits

measure in Tribal homes.

homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/

consumer/

Understanding U0lity Data,

Developing Baselines and

Benchmarking

Home Energy Fundamentals

•  How much do you spend on

hea0ng each year?

•  How much do you spend on

electricity each year?

•  What is your total annual u0lity

cost?

Reminder: Energy use within the

Home

The annual energy bill for a typical single family home is approximately

$2,200

What Does Data Tell TDHE?

How to Collect Benchmarking Data

St. Regis example

Cocopah example

•  TDHE pays bills.

•  Occupants pay bills.

•  Collect bills for each unit for •  Each occupant signed form

12 months

from u0lity and u0lity sent

12-‐months of data to

CIHAD.

•  Data iden0fied unit but not

name.

Annual Electricity Use By Apartment

Phase 1

Phase 2

# of

Kerosene Use Electricity Use

Total Use

# of

Electricity Use

Total Use

Bldg #

Unit #

Occupants

(Gallons)

(kWh)

in kBtu

Bldg #

Unit #

Occupants

(kWh)

in kBtu

1

1

2,924

21

1

9,431

2

1

2,136

22

1

9,431

3

1

4,049

23

1

9,431

1

4

1

1419

4,560

238,224

9

24

1

9,431

128,714

5

1

3,049

25

1

8,770

2

6

1

1150

4,216

179,977

26

1

8,770

7

1

4,001

27

1

8,770

8

1

6,798

10

28

1

8,770

119,693

9

2

4,098

29

1

8,870

3

10

1

1213

6,872

238,024

30

1

8,870

15

1

7,116

31

1

8,870

16

1

4,291

11

32

1

8,870

121,058

17

1

3,520

33

1

8,510

5

18

1

1226

3,227

227,391

34

1

8,510

19

2

3,289

35

1

8,510

6

20

1

945

2,175

146,272

12

36

1

8,510

116,144

11

1

5,498

37

1

10,555

12

1

3,853

38

1

10,555

13

1

6,776

39

1

10,555

7

14

1

1501

4,362

272,584

13

40

1

10,555

144,058

Building 1: Phase 1

U\lity

Cost

Annual Cost

YR 1: 10%

YR 2: 20%

Total

Savings

Savings

Savings

Kerosene

$ 3.90

$1,419/4 =

$141.90/4 = $283.80/4 = $425.70/4 =

$354.75 per

$35.48 per

$70.95 per

$106.43 per

unit average unit

unit

unit

Electric

.16 cents $2,187/4 =

$218.70/4 = $437.40/4 = $656.10/4 =

$546.76 per

$54.68 per

$109.35 per $164.03 per

unit average unit

unit

unit

Total:

$3,606/4 =

$360.60/4 = $721.20/4 = $1,081.80/4

$901.50 per

$90.15 per

$180.30 per = $270.45

unit average unit

unit

per unit

Benchmarking Energy

kBtu/sq a/yr

Ranking

$ 1/sq P per year

good

$1 to $2/ sq P per year

fair to slightly poor (typical)

$ 2 to $ 3/ sq P per year

probably room for improvement

$ 3/ sq P per year and above

Leaky dog

Benchmarking example

Average Annual Consump\on

Annual Costs

Average Unit Cost

Electricity

18,520 kWh

$ 2,948

36%

$ 0.16 $/kWh

gallons

$ 3.90 $/gal delivered

Kerosene

1,340 delivered

$ 5,229

64%

x 4 buildings = $32,705 total

Total:

$ 8,176

P2

Total Facili\es Area

3,497

kWh/P2/yr

0.38 Gallons/P2/yr

Electricity Use Intensity

5

Kerosene Use Intens0y

kBtu/P2/yr

$ 2.34 P2/yr

Energy Use Intensity

70

Energy Cost Intensity

Electricity is provided by Na\onal Grid and kerosene is supplied by #9 Fuels

Btu/P Energy Use Intensity

Average Annual Consump\on

Annual Costs Average Unit

Average Unit

Cost

Average Annual Consump\on

Annual Costs

Cost

kWh

$ $/kWh

18,5

$

kWh

$ $/kWh

Electricity

36% 0.1

30,1

$

20

2,948

Electricity

100% 0.1

6

81

4,110

4

gallons

$ $/gal

1,34

gallons

$ $/gal

Kerosene

delivered

$

64% 3.9 delivere

0

5,229

Kerosene

0 delivered

$ 0

0%

0.0 delivered

0 d

0

x 4 buildings = $32,705

$

x 5 buildings = $20,552

$

total

Total: 4,110 total

Total: 8,176

P2

P2

Total Facili\es 4,05

Total Facili\es 3,49

Area

0

Area

7

kWh/P2/yr

kWh/P2/yr

0 Gallons/

0.3 Gallons/

Electricity Use

Kerosene Use

Electricity Use

Kerosene Use

5

P2/yr

8 P2/yr

7

Intensity

Intens0y

Intensity

Intensity

kBtu/P2/yr

$

P2/yr

kBtu/P2/yr

$

P2/yr

Energy Use

Energy Cost

70

Energy Use

Energy Cost

2.3

1.0

Intensity

25

Intensity

4

Intensity

Intensity

1

Electricity is provided by Na\onal Grid and kerosene is supplied by

#9 Fuels

Breakdown Of Es0mated Average Annual Energy

Consump0on In Green Sustainable Unit: Cold Climate

Breakdown Of Es0mated Average Annual Energy Consump0on

In 1937 Act Unit: Cold Climate

Exercise 1: online benchmarking

•  Walk through the Energy Star Home

Energy Yards\ck

•  What you need to know to get started:

•  Your energy use and costs for the last year:

You'll need your last 12 months of u0lity bills

OR a 12-‐month summary statement from

your u0lity company.

•  Energy sources for your home: natural gas,

electricity, fuel oil, propane, coal, wood and/

or kerosene?

•  The square footage of your home.

Exercise 1a: Online Home Energy Calcula0on

•  Walk through Home Energy Saver, quick

input

SCinIC

Demonstration Projects

1/29/13

SCinIC Demonstra4on Projects and

Their Sustainable Technologies

Eight Demonstra4on Projects

•  At different stages of comple4on

•  Some in planning stage, some under

construc4on, some completed.

•  Covers different ONAP regions and also

different climates

•  Some differen4a4on in housing type

•  Variety of sustainable technologies

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

•  Climate: warm temperate humid with hot

summers.

•  Has completed 86 single family and duplex units in

the last 2 years using structural insulated panels

(SIPs) for envelope including roof.

•  Also Energy Star cer4fied.

•  Currently construc4ng 13 more units.

•  Exploring issues of site planning to control erosion,

maintain wetlands and habitat.

1

1/29/13

SIPs Features

•  Typically foam or straw insula4on

between oriented stand board

(OSB).

•  Increased efficiency over standard

framing techniques.

•  Reduced air infiltra4on and heat

loss.

•  Saves energy, reduces wood use,

increases comfort.

Source: Daniel D. Chiras, The New Ecological

Home

•  High wind resistance

•  Life-‐cycle analysis reports

available at Structural Insulated

Panel Associa4on (

h\p://www.sips.org/green-‐building/

life-‐cycle-‐analysis/)

Cross sec4on detail of a typical SIP and the wall to

founda4on connec4on. ( Source: www.sips.org)

Na4ve Village of Kwinhagak

Design 1: Quinhagak Prototype,

Design 2: Adapted Crooked Creek

“octagon house”

Prototype, “rectangle” house”

h\p://www.cchrc.org/quinhagak-‐prototype-‐

home

h\p://cchrc.org/crooked-‐creek-‐prototype-‐

home

Climate: wet, snowy (43 in a year) with cool summers.

Precipita4on averages 22 inches a year.

Shared features

Octagon features

•  Steel walls set off with plas4c

•  Tradi4onal arc4c entry

bracing and filled with soy-‐

•  Rounded shape echoes

based spray foam insula4on-‐

prevents heat conduc4on.

tradi4on and prevent

R-‐40

dribing

•  Venmar air exchanger

•  Used 160 gallons of hea4ng

•  Lightweight materials for

oil compared with norm of

transporta4on ease.

600-‐800.

•  Steel frame founda4on filled

with foam and thermally

Rectangle features

isolated from the ground.

•  Integrated truss includes

•  Triple glazed windows, low-‐e,

floor, walls, and roof.

argon gas.

•  Frame erected in 1 day

2

1/29/13

Navajo Housing Authority

•  In the process of building 153 new residen4al

units. A number of these will be built using

Navajo Flexcrete.

•  They may conduct a pilot program tes4ng

ductless electricity-‐based heat pumps due to high

cost of using propane.

•  Addi4onally, we are working with NHA as they

start a master planning process and assis4ng with

development to green standards to guide their

design and construc4on in the future.

Climate: hot summers and cold winters, lots of sun, drought condi4ons due to

lower winter precipita4on last 11 of 15 years.

Ductless Mini-‐Split Electric

Navajo Flexcrete Blocks

Heat Pumps

•  Hea4ng and cooling.

•  Solid fiber reinforced aerated

•  Uses refrigera4on

concrete

technology.

•  Reduces construc4on 4me and

work site waste.

•  Very efficient.

•  Good insula4on and heat

•  Easy to retrofit.

storage.

•  h\p://energy.gov/

•  Fire, pest, and mold/ mildew

resistant.

energysaver/ar4cles/

•  Largely made of recycled

ductless-‐mini-‐split-‐heat-‐

material (fly ash)

pumps

•  h\p://

www.navajoflexcrete.biz/

Housing Authority of the Pawnee Tribe

of Oklahoma

•  Climate: warm, humid with hot summers. Averages

55 tornados a year (Na4onal Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administra4on).

•  Planning to build two duplexes or a quadplex

•  Exploring Insula4ng Concrete Forms (ICFs)

3

1/29/13

ICF Features

•  Plas4c foam forms that are filled with concrete

(can mix in fly ash)

•  Increased insula4on and decreased air infiltra4on

•  For hurricane safety, ICFs harden the en4re

structure so that an extra safe room would not

be needed. Also earthquake and fire resistant

•  Mold/moisture and pest resistant

Source:

h\p://www.toolbase.org/ToolbaseResources/level4DG.aspx?

ContentDetailID=3893&BucketID=4&CategoryID=61

Cocopah Indian Housing and

Development

•  Climate: arid, dry winter, hot

•  Rehabilita4ng three mul4family buildings with

eight units each

•  Seeking ways to lower u4lity costs

Energy Assessment Recommenda4ons

•  Add exterior window shade

to decrease heat entering

window.

•  Add other features

4

1/29/13

Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority

•  Climate: Cool summers with snowy, cold

winters

•  Planning a development with 18-‐20 duplex

units

•  Selected hybrid straw bale construc4on

Straw Bale Wall Assembly Features

•  Light-‐framed straw bale (non-‐

load bearing)-‐quicker

•  Natural material minimizes

wood use.

•  Can be local

•  Good insula4on value: R-‐34 to

R-‐45

Addi4onal features

•  Cultural eastern orienta4on, wood

•  Straw bale can also be load-‐

carports echoing Nez Perce shade

bearing

structures, duplex shape to echo

extended teepee.

•  Fire resistant

•  Low impact site design

Source: Chiras, The New Ecological Home •  Frost protected shallow

founda4on

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

•  Climate: hot summers and cold winters with

heavy snow

•  Already developed master plan and implemented

low impact site development.

•  Currently construc4ng four four-‐unit buildings

•  Two buildings will serve as a geothermal system

pilot program.

•  Part of sustainable neighborhood: LEED-‐Gold

community center

5

1/29/13

Low Impact Site Development Features

•  Bioswales

•  Rain gardens

•  Na4ve plant

and tree

restora4on

•  Permeable

pavement

•  Cluster design

housing

Pokagon Band (con4nued)

•  Beginning construc4on

on four mul4family

buildings to contain four

units each.

•  Two will pilot a

geothermal system

hea4ng and two will use

forced air furnaces,

fueled by natural gas.

Exterior proposed by NDG

To Find Out More:

Contact Lynda Lantz

202-‐393-‐6400

llantz@firstpic.org

6

Document Outline

508_SCIC_Final Report

Cover

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Initiative Overview

Key Findings

Recommendations

Introduction

Historical Reference to Sustainability in Native American Communities

Overview

Stewardship and Living in Harmony

Traditional View of Nature

Social Marketing Related to Environmental Sustainability and in Native American Communities

Background

Social Marketing and Energy Conservation

One Native Community and Energy Efficiency Audits

Effect on SCinIC

Relationship of HUD Housing and Native American Communities

United States Housing Act of 1937 and Establishment of the Office of Native American Programs

NAHASDA

HUD Sustainable Housing Support in Indian Country

Task Overview and Implementation

The Review of Current Activities

National Impediments Meeting

Demonstration Projects

Outreach

Training

Findings and Recommendations From The Review of Current Activities

Findings

Recommendations

Ranking and Recommendations From National Impediments Meeting

Ranking

Recommendations

Conclusion

References

508_SCIC_Appendixes.pdf

Appendix A-SCIC

Appendix B-SCIC

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

FOCUS GROUP FINDINGS

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS

RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

APPENDIX A: MEETING NOTES

APPENDIX B: ORIGINAL INVITEES

Appendix C1-SCIC

Appendix C2-SCIC

Appendix C3-SCIC

Appendix C4-SCIC

Appendix C5-SCIC

Appendix C6-SCIC

Appendix C7-SCIC

Appendix D-SCIC