From the Seattle Housing Authority's press release:
In keeping with its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, the Seattle Housing Authority has signed on to a new U.S. Department of Energy Better Climate Challenge. As a partner, SHA is committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and energy consumption by 15 percent across all portfolios by 2032, using 2017 as a baseline.
Of more than 90 organizations across the U.S. and across sectors that have stepped up to the Challenge so far, the Seattle Housing Authority and King County Housing Authority are the only public housing authorities to join.
As technology has advanced, SHA has incorporated energy efficiency in renovations and new construction through solar panels, water conservation, state-of-the-art building systems, lighting upgrades, energy efficient windows and appliances and more, including low-carbon hot water technologies in partnership with the Department of Energy. In 2016, SHA made Environmental Stewardship an Organizational Cornerstone in its Strategic Plan and in 2019 adopted its first Sustainability Agenda. SHA has converted 100 percent of its fleet of passenger vehicles to electric and in 2017 became the first public housing authority to expand food and yard waste collection to every property to reduce carbon footprint and material going into landfills.
At a national roundtable yesterday, attended by SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, joined by White House Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, recognized SHA and the other organizations signing onto the Challenge.
“Better Climate Challenge partners like SHA are committing to decarbonize across their portfolio of buildings, plants, and fleets and share effective strategies to transition our economy to clean energy,” said Secretary Granholm. “Their leadership and innovation are crucial in our collective fight against climate change while strengthening the U.S. economy.”
“Environmental stewardship has been a core value at SHA for many years and we have a long history of investing in innovative approaches,” said Brandon. “We are excited about this further commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure healthier living and working environments for our residents, staff and community. We are also appreciative of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell for supporting our Moving to Work status as an agency, which allows us the funding flexibility to be able to make these important investments.”
Details of the Seattle Housing Authority’s environmental commitment can be found in its Environment Stewardship Report and Sustainability Agenda.