Tool Box
The Tool Box will organize information related to several aspects of design, construction, and evaluation of sustainable affordable housing. This section of the website is still under development. However, you will find links to a variety of resources in the Library and definitions and explanation of terms used throughout the site in the Glossary.
Upstream is a program intended to inform developers and their teams during the earliest stages of a project. Specifically geared toward early decision making, topics covered will include: site selection and site optimization. The tools and education are tied to the Green Communities Criteria and seek to improve ecological outcomes with low and no-cost design solutions.
The Calculators and Tools page will contain links to websites with helpful calculators that examine multiple variables and offer easy comparisons of design and systems alternatives based on cost, energy, and environmental performance. For example, a decision making tool informing the choice of energy efficiency options would address issues of first cost, operational cost, and ecological impact of avoided pollution. We are also developing tools at CSBR related to our research and our interactions with local development teams.
Under Financial Incentives we will list resources from a variety of sources for the design and construction of sustainable housing and link to state and national programs supporting market transformation.
