Building on a three-year partnership between the Dow Fellows Program and Habitat for Humanity (HFH), this 2024 project team developed resources to support sustainable, healthy, and affordable housing in U.S. Climate Zones 2 and 3. The project aimed to equip HFH affiliates with tools to enhance energy efficiency and advocate for improved housing standards in these regions.

As part of this effort, the team expanded the Healthy Housing Mapping Tool created by a 2023 Dow Fellows team to include Climate Zones 2 and 3, incorporating solar resource data to help affiliates identify opportunities for sustainable building. Additionally, the team developed fact sheets for HFH affiliates in Houston, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, providing evidence-based comparisons of current home design features with innovative, high-efficiency options. A Climate Zone Guide was also created to assist affiliates in grant writing and advocacy efforts.

The project’s recommendations emphasize the adoption of energy-efficient building codes, increased funding for sustainable housing, and the implementation of a standardized approach to improving indoor air quality. This work aims to advance affordable, resilient, and healthy housing solutions in climate-vulnerable communities.