David & Joyce Dinkins Gardens was co-developed by the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) and the Jonathan Rose Company and is located at 263 West 153rd Street in Harlem, New York. Occupants have already begun to settle into their new homes. Of the building’s 85 apartments, 26 are for youths aging out of foster care, while the other apartments are for low-income households that earn less than 60 percent of the areas “norm” in income.

Some green features of the Dinkins Gardens include: a green grid roof system in which a portion of the roof is planted, thanks to a grant from the Home Depot Foundation; a rainwater harvesting system which funnels water from the roof into storage tanks to be used for irrigation, reducing utility costs and storm-water run-off; solar shades on the south side which keep warmer months cooler, and cooler months warmer with sunlight; energy star-rated appliances and light fixtures that provide additional savings which is particularly important for affordable, low income housing as it protects residents from rising energy costs.

This once urban-vision, is now a Harlem reality. Its evidence that environmentally sound design can work within an affordable housing budget. What a nice thought to come home to!