In Ann Arbor, Michigan, a new mixed-income housing development is under construction. It’s called Veridian at County Farm, and it will be a climate-friendly community with green space, on-site food gardens, and homes that run entirely on electricity.
“The neighborhood is 100% all-electric … so the neighborhood will not have any gas line connected to it,” says Matt Grocoff, the founder of Thrive Collaborative.
The real estate firm is partnering with an affordable housing developer on the project.
He says that buildings that run on electricity can reduce climate pollution because that electricity can be supplied by renewables.
So instead of gas furnaces, boilers, and stoves, the houses and apartments in the Veridian community will use electric heat pumps and induction ranges. And the buildings will have rooftop solar panels and backup battery storage.
Some of the larger homes will cost almost $1 million. But plans call for about a third of the more than 150 units to be reserved for low-income residents.
Grocoff says the goal is to create a climate-friendly community that’s accessible to more people: “And really create a model that all other development should be, starting now and moving forward.”
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media