Earth Economics, Groundwork USA, and Groundwork Hudson Valley have published “The Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Affordable Housing,” summarizing the results of an ecosystem services valuation of Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods program.
Climate Safe Neighborhoods is a Groundworks USA program that explores relationships between historical race-based segregation and current and predicted climate change impacts. Under this program, Groundwork Hudson Valley partnered with the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) to incorporate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) at several affordable housing projects: Dr. James O’Rourke Townhouses, Francis Reagan Townhouses, Kris Kristensen Homes, Joseph F. Loehr Court, Msgr. Cajetan J. Troy Manor, and William A. Walsh Homes.
The study focused on current and planned MHACY sites in Yonkers highlights significant quantifiable co-benefits associated with MHACY’s proposed GSI interventions: bioretention basins, tree pits, mulched areas, or new grass lawns. Each element was selected for its ability to retain water and reduce localized flooding.
The ecosystem services valuation demonstrates significant quantifiable co-benefits associated with MHACY’s proposed GI interventions. Earth Economics has summarized the benefits that each tree planted and each acre of bioretention.
