Affordable Housing and the Environment in Buffalo, New York

Abstract

Buffalo is suffering from severe housing and environmental problems, many of which overlap. New housing continues to sprawl into the suburbs and exurbs, despite a large surplus of housing units in Buffalo, where the City plans to demolish 10,000 units in the next ten years. In general, housing is not being designed, built, or renovated in an environmental manner. Our out-dated housing policies and choices contribute significantly to pollution, both locally and globally: the region gets a failing grade for air quality; the city has 68 sewage overflows per year; and residential energy use is the largest source of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollution affects people with low incomes the most severely, and, with the advent of climate change, it has the potential to make millions of people homeless around the globe.Greening our state and local affordable housing policies is a win/win strategy that will reduce both pollution and poverty. If we do more realistic cost/benefit analyses that cover the whole life of the home, we will see that greener policies - especially regarding energy efficiency and alternative energy - make housing more affordable even as they lessen environmental harms. The State of New York, the City of Buffalo, and the non-profit community should adopt policies and practices that- Require and reward greater energy efficiency in housing;- Add to the incentives for alternate energy use;- Educate the public and promote energy conservation;- Promote water conservation and rain water control;- Reduce sprawl and revitalize the city;- foreclosure, disrepair, and abandonment;- Increase funding for preservation, weatherization, and renovation and prioritize them over new construction;- Prioritize deconstruction and recycling of housing materials over demolition;- Re-use vacant lots and brownfields for gardens, farms, parks, and greenways.