Date Occurred: 17 0214   Networked and advocated energy efficient construction, including Passive House, with public and private affordable housing stakeholders. As well, discussed including reduced size market rate and affordable housing units as tool for improving residential market energy efficiency and home finance economics. Tiny Homes as a very small example. Listened to four MHP welcomed panelists; Rep. Dean Urdahl (R), Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL), Sen. Bill Weber (R), and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal describe their ideas on the need for affordable housing and how to obtain the resources to "provide safe, stable homes for more Minnesotans". 

Date Occurred: 17 0124   I attended a great presentation on current residential market needs, anticipated growth and national economic trends by economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg. Afterward I discussed the presentation with Dr. Eisenberg and incoming BATC President Bob Michels on how residential construction in the Twin Cities could meet the needs expressed. BATC's Annual Kick-off meeting is where BATC's strategic plans and goals are discussed and new board members presented. Attended as a BATC guest at The St. Paul Hotel.

Date Occurred: 16 1118   Attended an urban gentrification research presentation by Center for Urban and Regional Affiars - University of Minnesota (CURA). As an architect involved in improving the quality of housing in the metro area, it is my goal to improve the quality of housing for all income levels and work not to force lower income area residents out of areas where they now live. In the best cities, all income levels have ready access to afforable housing and city public and private amenities like groceries, restaurants, parks, health care and public transportation. The quality of amenities obviously varies for income levels, but since all income levels benefit from having the other income levels, improving baseline conditions supports all. The following is sourced from the CURA website: "Due to increasing housing costs and stagnant incomes for low and moderate income families in Minneapolis, fewer and fewer neighborhoods are affordable to the typical Minneapolis household. The period between 2000 and 2014 saw the number of neighborhoods that were affordable to the typical renter in Minneapolis drop by 35%. Renters of color saw more extreme drops in affordability with the typical Black renter household not able to afford the typical apartment unit in any Minneapolis neighborhood by 2014 without being housing cost burdened". Author Professor Edward Goetz, CURA Director. I participated in the post-presentation discussion and networking.

Date Occurred: 16 0926   Attended new Passive House residence ERV installation presentation by Zehnder America representative Kevin Rapp. Zehnder manufacturers a quality ERV system with plug-and-play ERV, duct manifold, duct work, diffusers and other HVAC system components.