The unprecedented level of commercial vacancies across the United States has negatively impacted the wellbeing of urban and regional economies nationwide. The conversion of these properties to residential use presents an opportunity to increase housing supply, improve affordability, ultimately create efficient, zero-emissions housing, reduce long term energy costs and volatility, and thereby contribute to local, state, and federal climate goals. Commercial conversions are by no means a panacea for our housing supply, affordability, or emissions related challenges, but if only a small percentage of underutilized commercial buildings were converted to housing, it could create thousands of units of much-needed housing while also reducing the carbon footprint of existing buildings.
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