Lewiston, ME Case Study
Building for Insurability, Resilience, Energy Efficiency, and Housing Affordability: Addressing the True Cost of Housing
In Lewiston, ME, a 220-unit Lewiston Choice Neighborhood Development is under construction to serve the much needed missing middle housing. Because Lewiston already underwent zoning reform, several of the project’s mixed-used multifamily buildings were permitted as-ofright with minimal parking requirements. The homes adhere to building codes and exceed the energy code by achieving Enterprise Green Communities certification and near Passive House levels with high insulation levels, air sealing, and heat pumps. Because Maine Housing requires highly energy efficient construction, the local workforce is experienced with efficiency targets. In 2019, Maine also established a Heat Pump Challenge to install 100,000 heat pumps by 2025 and has invested in efforts to increase demand alongside contractor training. This project reaped the benefits of trained HVAC contractors with lower heat pump installation costs. Kaplan Thompson Architects and Avesta Housing, the lead on the project, notes that the energy efficient construction does not drive construction costs. Avesta Housing tracks utility bills and says high efficiency construction pays for itself over time. High performance materials and equipment such as heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and double and triple pane windows are affordable and getting cheaper with no upcharge or a wash in the budget. State heat pump rebates and TIF further reduced project costs.
Actions state and local governments can take to accelerate similar housing projects include:
- Establish state or local heat pump challenge with clear targets and contractor training;
- Require high energy efficiency standards and electrification targets that exceed the energy code in state and local housing programs;
- Provide rebates and TIF for energy efficient construction projects; and
- Implement zoning reform to allow as-of-right multifamily housing with minimal parking requirements.