To deploy full rooftop solar on the new residential buildings of Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Friendship Court, a Section 8 community in Charlottesville. 

Solar panel installation is atypical for housing reserved for individuals experiencing low income. This partnership innovatively addresses climate challenges, aligning resident- driven vision with the City’s climate action goals. Partnerships like this one demonstrate that amenities like green building components can work for affordable housing and have a beneficial impact on low-income households. Demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable, equitable, and resilient redevelopment is powerfully influential on future redevelopment of affordable and market-rate housing.  

As with each major decision in the redevelopment process, aligning community support for green building components through communication with the Advisory Committee was key to ongoing support of the redevelopment. As the beginning of construction approached, the Friendship Court (FC) Advisory Council deployed “Construction Conversations,” a series of meetings in which architects, construction reps, relevant Piedmont Housing staff, and Friendship Court Advisory Council members were made available for resident engagement. The Construction Conversations concept was developed by the FC Advisory Council, demonstrating the trust developed in the relationship between Piedmont Housing and residents. 

This project builds on the design and financing success of Phase 1. By deploying solar panels in the construction of Phase 2, this partnership establishes a precedent-setting alignment of affordable housing and long-term carbon reduction strategies and community-driven design through a racial equity lens.