Housing and Climate Change: What's the Connection

Housing Policy is Climate Policy: Key Takeaways

Climate change isn't a distant threat; its impacts are being felt right here in Newton. How and where we build our homes can play a significant role in tackling this crisis.

When introducing the event, Luke Mann O'Halloran, a member of the Newton for Everyone Leadership Team, noted that he is particularly motived to address climate change when he thinks about his two young daughters’ future. Given the lack of action and backsliding at the federal level, he emphasized the importance of the well-known phrase – Think Global, Act Local.

Our featured speaker was long-time Newton resident Dan Ruben, who is a leading voice in sustainable practices. He authored the textbook, Sustainable Hospitality, and has served on Green Newton's Board since 1996. He’s been instrumental in persuading developers to adopt Passive House, all-electric, low-embodied-carbon designs.

Our Housing Policies Drive Climate Change:

  • Sprawling development patterns push homes far from jobs, shopping, and transit, increases car dependency and greenhouse gas emissions, while clear-cutting forests and taking away farmland to make way for new housing.

  • Building the necessary roads and infrastructure also carries a significant "embodied carbon" footprint.

  • Zoning that prioritizes single-family homes and makes building multifamily homes illegal, locks in this unsustainable pattern.

  • RMI found that urban sprawl is responsible for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Building Sustainably

An alternative to sprawl exists. Building more homes, and more types of homes, near transit, jobs, and amenities is an important strategy for combatting climate change.

  • Less Driving: Shorter commutes and easier access to transit cut transportation emissions significantly. Homes closer to stores and schools also cut back on more driving and the need for more cars per household.

  • Preservation of Trees and Open Space: Trees are vital for carbon sequestration.

  • Efficient Buildings: Multifamily homes require less energy per person to heat and cool.

  • Lower Embodied Carbon: Compact development uses less material when building new homes and requires fewer new roads, pipes for water and sewage, and less paved parking areas.

Bringing it Home: Actionable Steps for Newton

While Newton has made progress, restrictive policies still cover large parts of the city. Newton’s housing policies are an important leverage point for reducing emissions and building a livable future.

Dan highlighted some key policy changes:

How Housing and Climate Shape Each Other

Climate Change Threatens Our Homes:

  • Rising sea levels cause coastal flooding and more intense storms cause inland flooding while wildfires burn down homes and whole neighborhoods.

  • These impacts drive up housing costs and make insurance harder to secure and afford – sometimes impossible.

  • Migration from affected areas to less affected areas is already increasing demand and prices in those areas.

Enable More Multifamily Housing: Allow two family homes, small buildings with 3 to 6 homes, and apartments, especially in or next to villages and near transit.

  • Reduce or End Parking Mandates: Minimum parking requirements inflate housing costs, encourage driving, decrease green space and increase the heat island effect.

  • Allow Smaller Lots: Allow lot sizes to at least match the current development pattern of a neighborhood. Larger lots in Newton discourage walking and biking to schools or stores.

  • Allow smaller homes: Flexibility here creates more diverse and attainable housing. The new ADU ordinance is a step in the right direction. Allow areas that now permit those 3,000 square foot townhouses to build 3-4 homes in the same size building.

  • Streamline Permitting: Create a more efficient process for well-designed, climate-friendly housing.

These local efforts mirror statewide initiatives, like Governor Healey's push for reforms to allow more homes near transit and jobs, to reduce parking minimums, and to allow more multifamily and smaller homes.

Taking Action Locally

Housing policy is climate policy. Acting locally on housing policy is one of the most powerful ways to fight climate change. Newton can create more housing options, reduce our carbon footprint, and build a more resilient community.

Let's work together to advocate for these necessary changes. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the Scandinavian Living Center for graciously hosting the event and to NewTV for providing the equipment and training that made the recording possible.