Case Studies

Affordable Green Demonstration Homes

COSC in Partnership with the cities of Des Moines

and West Des Moines, HOME, Inc. and Community Housing Development Corporation

In partnership with the cities of Des Moines and West Des Moines, COSC is bringing key parties together for these collaborative, community supported, affordable green demonstration homes.

Des Moines will be doing two demonstration projects - a new build and remodel – both in the Riverbend neighborhood.  West Des Moines is doing a new build in the Historic Valley Junction neighborhood.  These homes are being built/remodeled in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods to illustrate that green can be attainable and affordable.  After three years of leading the effort toward a market shift in residential green building in Iowa, COSC is partnering with the cities and local NPO’s on these affordable green home demonstration projects as part of a community education effort on sustainable building.

Green building encompasses energy efficiency, resource conservation, and healthy indoor air quality.  While there are green homes currently being built in Iowa; they are not typically open to the public for viewing.  These model homes will be open during construction to serve as educational tools for residential building and remodeling professionals, homeowners, and local government staff and officials, to better understand the benefits of sustainable design, building and remodeling in their communities.  These homes will also demonstrate that green is attainable for residents within our community who can least afford high energy bills and medical bills by focusing on affordable options throughout the design and build process. 

Community Needs Met by This Project

From the inception of these projects, driven by a vision of Mayor Cownie in Des Moines and Linda Schemmel in West Des Moines, COSC’s role as a catalyst in these collaborative efforts for community betterment, was to partner with and support not only the cities, but also existing housing agencies to design, build and demonstrate these affordable green demonstration homes.   As we have gathered the core teams for each community, we specifically identified non-profits to partner with who already serve these neighborhoods.  By supporting these existing agencies, COSC is connecting these neighborhoods to the educational opportunities available as well as the local resources and expertise that will assist in improving all building projects going forward.

Objective and General Timeline

The main objective of this project is to provide easy access to and participation in the construction of affordable and practical new build and remodeled homes in these communities, which can then serve as models throughout the state and region.  The general schedule for these projects is to complete the planning and design phase during the spring of 2008 and begin construction in the summer of 2008.  The homes will be open to the general public during various phases of construction during the summer of 2008 and after completion in the fall of 2008.

The project team will track the following measurable results throughout the project. 

1. The HVAC system will be designed, tested and continually measured for maximum energy efficiency through computerized tools used by project partner Cenergy (a 3rd party rater).
2. The construction waste output will be measured in weight and volume based on models used by members of COSC’s Builder Advisory Council and in partnership with Metro Waste Authority and the Iowa Waste Exchange.
3. Resource conservation and energy savings will be measured as compared to a similar home in size and location built with standard materials and techniques.
4. The indoor air quality will be measured using tools to track radon, carbon monoxide, and air exchange levels.
5. Life Cycle Analysis studies (tracks energy used in growing, obtaining, manufacturing, shipping and installing) will be completed on selected materials and products used for the projects to determine the estimated amount of embodied energy encompassed within the home.

COSC will also measure the on-going impact of the education components of this project through:

1. Working with city staff (including permitting department) on incorporating sustainable building practices into their standard procedures (manuals, guidelines, RFP specs, etc.)
2. Working with the contractors and sub-contractors involved in the projects, on incorporating sustainable building practices into their construction specific manuals and procedures.
3. Working with HOME, Inc., Community Housing Development Corp., Polk County Housing Trust Fund, and other neighborhood supporting developers and non-profits to incorporate sustainable building practices into their standard procedures (manuals, guidelines, RFP specs).
4. Tracking the total number of attendees, and businesses represented, at each on-site construction demonstration workshop.
5. Tracking the total number of professionals and homeowners who tour the completed homes during the open house phase.

COSC will document options, decisions, costs, and performance of the homes as a commitment to make this project a true demonstration of affordable green design and construction.

Project Sustainability

A key goal of this project from the beginning has been to engage and educate all those involved in home building and remodeling in the targeted low- to moderate-income neighborhoods identified for each community.  COSC has diligently sought out as partners, organizations who already serve these communities.  It is very important for the on-going sustainability and value of this project that through this experience, all those involved will go forward with a much better documented, more cost-effective model to build from.  This will enable the market shift and stabilization toward future sustainable communities for Iowa.

Financial and In-kind Sponsors:

• Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
• Principal Financial Group Foundation
• Metro Waste Authority
• Gilcrest/Jewett
• Menards
• Windsor Windows
• MidAmerican Energy
• Planning, Design, & Fundraising time from all the individuals involved

Click on the links below to see more information on each project:

New Construction

         City of Des Moines

         City of West Des Moines

         Leadership Iowa & Habitat for Humanity

Rehab

         City of Des Moines