State Agency Exploring Energy Efficiency To Cut Housing, Transportation Costs

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is exploring ways to drive down housing and transportation costs through energy efficiency solutions by partnering with an energy technology consortium.

The IHCDA’s goal for low- and middle-income Hoosiers is to ensure their housing and transportation costs don’t take up more than 45 percent of the household budget. And Energy Systems Network CEO Paul Mitchell says the state has done a good job on the housing side.

“But if you look at transportation costs in our state, particularly in rural communities, in many cases they’re well above that 15 percent target cost,” Mitchell said.

That’s why Mitchell’s group is partnering with the state on the Moving Forward program.  IHCDA Executive Director Jacob Sipe says the program will choose two developers over the next month to participate in creating plans for affordable housing communities that rely on energy efficiency to drive down costs.

“Which integrate environmentally-friendly transportation options such as electric cars,” Sipe said.

After working over the next several months with Energy Systems Network to develop the energy-efficient housing and transportation solutions, the developers will be eligible next year for up to $750,000 each in tax credits.