SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE INC

Equitable, affordable and healthy housing is a key component of resilient communities and Southface has doubled down on this work over the past year. We have recently launched the Healthy, Efficient Residential Environments (HERE) program to comprehensively step up our leadership and create a pathway for scalable impact. In partnership with the Callaway Foundation, we are working on the ground in LaGrange, Georgia to ensure low- and moderate-income housing supports conditions for indoor health while ensuring affordability for residents because they require less energy and water. In Sarasota, we are working on a similar project in partnership with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and the Sarasota Housing Authority and will measure residents’ health indicators both pre- and post-rehabilitation. With increasing focus on indoor air quality because of Covid-19, Southface’s research and support in implementing practical solutions are in demand throughout the South and beyond.

We also continued our work with the Kresge Foundation, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Health Policy Center to rehabilitate 10 public housing sites across the state. Southface is working closely with our partners and the contractors implementing the improvements to prioritize changes that would ensure the biggest reductions in energy and water use and cost to residents, as well as deliver the greatest impact on their health and well-being. We hope to scale this work to Chicago, Memphis and other geographies in the coming year.

The Education + Workforce Development team works at the intersection of the built and natural environments and develops the curricula, training and workforce development opportunities for the next generation of the regenerative economy labor force. Our course offerings provide immersive, cutting-edge training that help build careers in sustainability, green/high performance buildings and weatherization. Furthermore, our team aggregates our data collection and connects our local and federal partners with the essential data needed to shape the outcomes of healthy and efficient buildings and communities. Over the last two years, we have worked through the Department of Energy's Building America program to research the effectiveness of low-cost, high performing sensors to improve indoor air quality and worked with the Micro Living Institute to produce a feasibility study on municipal policy and code obstacles related to Accessory Dwelling Units.

In 2019, Southface trained over 2,640 individuals, supporting the development of new skills and increased earning potential for building, engineering, and green infrastructure trades. Additionally, we provided thought-leadership and learning opportunities through substantive events, conferences and other convenings that reached over 1,000 industry professionals.

Advocacy has been part of the Southface's mission since our inception. Across our programs, we work to make advancements in the areas of resource efficiency, energy equity and renewable energy (including solar advocacy). Additionally, we work to influence housing, building and municipal codes and ordinances to ensure all occupants - owners, renters and occupiers - have access to efficient and healthy buildings and communities. Within this space, we are also leveraging and convening with our university and corporate partners, municipalities and community stakeholders to advocate for a regenerative economy to benefit all. A few examples of this work include:

•Southface is as a core partner for EEFA (Energy Efficiency for All)-Georgia. In Georgia, we work with utilities and cities interested in innovative energy efficiency program designs; provide expert advice to housing finance and development agencies on best practices in owner engagement; and look for ways to integrate more renewable energy at the community level.

•Southface's Atlanta CREW (Climate, Resilience, Environment, Workforce) Program works to increase environmental equity for Atlanta's historically underserved African-American communities by aligning innovative green infrastructure technology, training and workforce development with the environmental and economic needs of the community. As a result of our efforts, by mid-2020 we are training 60 un/underemployed residents in green infrastructure (GI) installation and operations/management best management practices. Additionally, eight GI projects of varying scale and application will be completed.

•As an active participant in both Georgia Power's Integrated Resource Plan and Demand Side Management working group, Southface continues to advocate for energy efficiency (e.g. energy conservation and demand side management and low-income weatherization) and renewable energy. For 2019, Southface is one of the only organizations with on-the-ground experience and data to back up advocacy efforts in the areas of multifamily low-income energy efficiency programs and the benefits of whole-building data.