Lisa Chamberlain’s Post

Interested in how innovative place-based models can unlock significant retrofit finance? Then take a look at this recent Agenda article by Rupesh Madlani and Christine Zhou of Alliance member BwB At a glance: 🏦 Retrofitting existing residential buildings is crucial for mitigating climate change but structural and financial factors mean that relying on individual homeowners to take action is not a viable solution. 🌉 There is an urgent need for models that bridge the gap between "where finance is" and "where finance needs to be" to accelerate retrofit activity at scale without sacrificing quality. 💷 Bankers without Boundaries (BwB) is developing an innovative place-based approach that creates financially bankable projects while promoting a sense of community. https://lnkd.in/eJqRHdP8

🏠 Adapting to Change: How the Real Estate Industry Navigates Political Climate Shifts 🌐🏢 In an ever-evolving political landscape, the real estate industry stands resilient, adapting to the winds of change with agility and foresight. Here's a glimpse into how this dynamic sector is responding to the shifts in political climate Policy Impacts on Market Dynamics: From zoning regulations to tax incentives, policies enacted by governments at various levels can significantly influence the real estate market. Industry professionals closely monitor legislative changes and adjust their strategies accordingly to navigate the evolving landscape. Affordable Housing Initiatives: With affordability emerging as a pressing issue in many regions, policymakers are increasingly focusing on initiatives to promote affordable housing. Real estate developers and investors are embracing this shift, exploring innovative solutions to address housing affordability challenges while still maintaining profitability. Environmental Sustainability: Amid growing concerns about climate change, there's a heightened emphasis on sustainability within the real estate sector. Developers are integrating eco-friendly design principles, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and seeking green certifications to meet evolving regulatory standards and consumer preferences. Urban Development and Infrastructure: Political decisions regarding urban development and infrastructure projects can have profound impacts on real estate values and investment opportunities. As governments prioritize infrastructure upgrades and urban revitalization efforts, the real estate industry adapts its strategies to capitalize on emerging growth corridors and redevelopment opportunities. Navigating Market Uncertainty: Political uncertainty, whether due to elections, geopolitical tensions, or policy debates, can create fluctuations in the real estate market. Industry stakeholders employ risk management strategies, diversify their portfolios, and maintain flexibility to mitigate the impacts of uncertainty and capitalize on market opportunities. Advocacy and Engagement: Real estate organizations and industry associations actively engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that support the growth and stability of the sector. Through lobbying efforts, policy analysis, and public outreach, industry stakeholders contribute to shaping regulatory frameworks that foster a conducive environment for real estate investment and development.

Here is our take on #Budget2024. Lots of pre-announcements removed some of the mystery of the Budget, and from a climate perspective it would have been great to see the EV ITC be broader to assist in the deployment and adoption of battery storage for electricity purposes. Overall, steps in the right direct for housing affordability but with a lack of commitments to energy efficiency risks long term affordability and carbon reductions. #cdnpoli #cdnecon #fiscal #climate #taxcredits

A very personal story illustrating the importance of investing in the energy efficiency of affordable housing to reduce energy burden, advance equity, and #ActOnClimate (article is paywalled)

It’s very exciting to see Massachusetts investing in #affordablehousing decarbonization. Affordable housing is a sector where building decarbonization is both difficult and extremely high impact – emissions reductions make a major difference in tenant health and quality of life. The need for programs like this will only increase as more cities enact building emissions regulations like #BERDO in Boston and #LocalLaw97 in New York. These investments not only help cities meet their climate goals, but also improve air quality and comfort in low- and moderate-income communities. https://lnkd.in/eGXejp3m

For many investors/developers this can be a good opportunity to get more grants, when it comes to building affordable housing. Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Progress to Date “GRRP is the first HUD program to simultaneously invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, climate resilience, and low-embodied-carbon materials. All of the investments under the GRRP will be made in affordable housing communities. As of May 21, 2024, HUD has awarded more than $610 million in grants and surplus cash loans under the GRRP; $255.5 million in grants and $355.8 million in surplus cash loans.” Read full article #investors #developers #energyefficiencyprojects

The UK’s housing crisis is about more than planning and costs, it’s also about #energy. An overstretched power #grid is delaying developments, with some areas facing years of #gridlock. Without urgent upgrades and a more diverse energy mix, even ambitious housing targets like #Labour’s 1.5m homes and new towns programme could stall. Take a look at my latest blog for LCA https://lnkd.in/gevAAbuA

How would retrofit experts approach decarbonising UK homes? Several housing and energy experts recently shared their viewpoints in an article with New Statesman: For Juliet Phillips, UK energy team programme lead at E3G, the answer lies in a long-term retrofit strategy. The current landscape of constantly changing policy on retrofit means that those involved in the housing and energy sectors lack certainty. Kate Henderson, CEO of the National Housing Federation shares a similar message, citing the need for clarity in the social housing sector, especially when it comes to the government funding available to cover the costs of retrofitting social housing. Annabel Rice, political adviser at Green Alliance thinks that consumers and homeowners need more clarity too – education on how to retrofit their home effectively, and stable government support on energy prices and retrofit funding. What would you add to this list? Read the full article via New Statesman ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dFWifKzZ #propertynews #retrofit #greenfinance #netzerohousing #propertydecarbonisation 

In this article, Mark Carney highlights the risks to property owners and lenders from older buildings that cannot adapt in a move to net zero, resulting in “significant stranded assets” in commercial real estate. This is underscored by a report by investment manager AEW finding that "European real estate investors need to increase their annual capital spending by 30 per cent to get on top of upgrading buildings". Infrastructure is an area that will require significant prioritisation in coming years in order to transition to a low carbon economy but also to protect the value of investments in assets, minimising the risk of assets becoming stranded. #sustainableinfrastructure https://lnkd.in/e4TQSwYj

Here is my latest article in this month's Intermediary magazine. Have a read. https://lnkd.in/eXJZVBmU https://lnkd.in/eWApcVp5 #qualitydata #netzero #biodiversitynetgain #newbuild #retrofit