At MPHA, a focus on environmental sustainability is woven into much of the agency’s work, whether it be incorporating energy efficient solutions in building development and renovations or supporting MPHA resident community gardens. These are just a few ways MPHA and its residents are stewarding the local environment and reducing its carbon footprint.

Celebrating its grand opening late last year, the Family Housing Expansion Project (FHEP) provides more than just homes to families, it also provides MPHA a blueprint to deliver more sustainable housing. This new project incorporates modular design, rooftop solar paneling, and a variety of other energy efficiency, health, and green measures to meet the Minnesota Enterprise Green Communities criteria.

Using modular building design, the structures were mostly built in an off-site manufacturing facility rather than on-site, reducing building project waste and neighborhood disruption. Additionally, each building is equipped with a 22.6 kW solar system, generating enough energy to cover an estimated 30 percent of the buildings’ electrical usage through this renewable source. Across all sites, this 361.6 kW solar system could be likened to avoiding the burning of 335,000 pounds of coal for a whole year!

In 2022, MPHA completed a historic $27 million renovation of the 60-year-old Elliot Twins, improving accessibility, replacing aging building systems, and completing energy efficiency improvements. These green improvements included exterior insulation with metal cladding over the existing brick façade, new windows, new roofing, appliances, and lighting and controls, among other upgrades. These changes reduce heating and cooling expenses along with an overall reduction in energy usage. Additionally, new raised garden boxes, stormwater system and landscaping add value for residents and the local ecosystem.

On an annual basis across MPHA’s developments, MPHA residents plant and care for gardens full of vegetables and flowers. No matter the garden size, MPHA residents make the most out of the space and the result is a joy to all those around. At Horn Towers, the Somali American Farmers Association (SAFA) is volunteering their time to assist residents prep the soil, plant, maintain, and harvest culturally relevant vegetables and herbs in the buildings’ garden beds. This will be the third year of collaboration with SAFA.