Eco-Affordable Housing

Download the Program Brochure, click here (pdf, 1 MB).

Dovetail's objective is to discover solutions that promote and sustain resources and community. This program is aimed at meeting and providing specific housing needs, specifically in rural areas. However, for us, it is not just about the house. The objectives of this program are to create environmental awareness, to demonstrate the use of housing as an economic development tool for rural communities, and to facilitate the process of obtaining and constructing eco-affordable housing so that it may be replicated easily.

How the program works

We partner with communities that have identified a need for affordable housing and/or an interest in green building/sustainable design. The level of involvement varies per project. In some instances, Dovetail acts as the developer. In others, Dovetail may be involved as a consultant for green building practices and for affordable housing options.  Individuals and organizations may also contract with Dovetail Partners for specific green building related services.  If you have a question about Green Building practices, or have a low-to-middle income housing need, please contact Alison Lindburg at 612-333-0430 or info@dovetailinc.org.

Education

As most green building education is focused in the urban setting, we currently focus most of our efforts in rural communities. We feel that to truly discourage urban sprawl, all areas and demographics need education on green building practices and sustainability. We aspire that our efforts will teach builders and their communities new ideas that can easily be incorporated into future projects. Besides having reduced utility costs, the new homeowners will learn about healthy energy-efficient living, good design principles, and sustainable options that will positively affect their everyday life. They will also have access to local vendors and materials that they may not have previously known about.

Economic Development and Local Services

Some rural areas have housing needs as well as interests in economic development. For example in some areas, manufacturing plants, forest-based businesses, and other industries are local resources that may be under utilized. We hope that this program will connect communities and their goods via the construction process, and establish new avenues of income (or strengthen current ones). Dovetail's mission is to focus mainly on the local community in order to realize this goal. When we build an eco-affordable housing project, local materials and vendors take priority over anything non-local. Not only is this a good choice environmentally, but it also encourages future projects for the area to be done locally as well. This process can also help uncover local options and resources that may not have been apparent before.

Energy Efficiency

A big part of making a house both comfortable and affordable to live in, is energy efficiency. Dovetail will provide design assistance to communities to help identify energy-efficient strategies as part of an integrated design approach that would be modeled after programs already in operation by local utilities (e.g., Xcel Energy) and Energy Star. The design assistance may also include some construction monitoring and commissioning upon completion of the building. Dovetail may also assist in collaboration of a worthy cast of players for the design process. These design strategies are utilized in the pre-development phase of the project.

Funding

Dovetail can offer assistance to communities seeking funds for their projects, if needed. However, Dovetail cannot guarantee funding. Dovetail's Eco-Affordable Housing Program has received support from the McKnight Foundation, Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Blandin Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Green Building Program Aspects

There are many things to look at when building a green building. Minnesota Green Communities and the USGBC's LEED Program both have a specific set of criteria to follow in order to build green. However,   most of these programs are catered specifically to urban communities and do not offer options for rural areas.   For this reason, Dovetail chooses to not endorse one specific program, but to take aspects that work from each one. Dovetail would like to test out these programs and offer suggestions to interested parties about what works and what doesn't for rural communities.

1. Building Envelope: Foundation, walls, and roofs should be airtight, watertight, and well-insulated. Windows and doors should be energy efficient and properly installed. Floor plan should be designed with material sizes in mind and utilizing advanced wood framing techniques.
2. Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation: Use energy efficient heating and cooling systems that are installed and sized properly. Efficiently plan ductwork to be kept in a conditioned space and verify all ducts are sealed properly with mastic. Use energy management systems such as programmable thermostats and timed fans, and verify ventilation is energy efficient and addresses moisture and replacement air. A fresh air intake system is a requirement.
3. Lighting and Appliances: Select Energy Star, or high-energy efficiency, for all appliances. Specify fluorescent lighting when appropriate and test lighting fixture sizes to ensure that incandescent bulbs can be replaced by high efficiency fluorescents. Look into on-demand hot water heaters, low-flower showerheads and faucets, and dual-flush toilets as options for reducing water and energy consumption.
4. Materials: Choose materials that are durable, easy to install and maintain, and that can be recycled post-use (when available). Non-toxic materials that are local and contain recycled content are preferred. Examine energy consumption upon manufacturing, and choose products from vendors with green philosophies. Specify FSC wood and other renewable materials when applicable.
5. Site Impacts: Manage stormwater on-site if possible and keep building footprint to a minimum. Use low-maintenance landscaping, plant trees to maximize passive solar heating/cooling, and use plants native to region. Choose sites with existing infrastructure that can take advantage of an existing community.
6. Waste Management: Specify that landfill waste is kept to a minimum. Construction crew should develop waste management program that reduces construction waste by at least 50%. Design for recycling bins and proper waste management/composting in the kitchen and rest of house. If possible, LEAN manufacturing will be utilized.