(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today joined Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3), District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Executive Director Michael Kelly, and other city officials and community members to celebrate the completion of a new energy-efficient “green” roof atop the Regency House Senior Center in the Chevy Chase neighborhood. The Mayor also highlighted the District’s Green DC Agenda and reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to making the District one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

“The addition of this green roof is merely one example of how buildings in the District are becoming increasingly green and energy-efficient,” said Mayor Fenty. “As the District moves forward with its Green DC Agenda, we commend the Housing Authority for its efforts toward make public housing properties more sustainable.”

The District of Columbia Housing Authority celebrated its Green Initiative which calls for the weatherization of all of its 56 public housing developments in the District of Columbia. Thus far the Authority has weatherized 22 public housing developments in the city, including energy-efficient windows, doors, appliances and new boilers and chillers. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development distributed $27 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to the DC Housing Authority to make “green” improvements at public housing developments across the city. In 2007 HUD approved DCHA’s plan to serve as its own Energy Services Company (ESCO), allowing the Authority to use in-house expertise to save $3 million a year on energy conservation services over what it would have saved with a private contract.

Regency House Green Roof
The 6,140 square foot sustainable roof of the Regency House Senior Center consists of low-level vegetation, stone walkways, and assorted seating areas. A rain-harvesting system helps irrigate the roof using rainwater as much as possible instead of the city’s water. In addition, the roof includes six state-of-the-art solar panels that collect energy used to power the building.

Other green building improvements to Regency House include a heat-recovery system to conserve energy during the summer months and new water-efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets installed in every unit.

Regency House Senior Center consists of 159 apartments and has housed elderly and disabled residents ages 62 and over in the District since 1962.

Green DC Agenda
To commemorate Earth Day 2009, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty recently announced the Green DC Agenda. The Agenda is the Mayor’s blueprint for a healthier, more sustainable city and includes key action items from agencies across the District Government.

The Agenda is divided into seven themes: Homes, Schools, Neighborhoods and Community, Parks and Natural Areas, Transit and Mobility, Business, Jobs and Economic Development, and City and Government Operations, with a special focus on the Anacostia River and climate change. The public can view the agenda and track the District’s progress on a new, searchable website at www.green.dc.gov/agenda.

Media Contacts

• Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029

• Feras Sleiman, (202) 251-8829