We’re excited to share that Nicholas Landing, a net zero affordable housing project located in Easton, Maryland, was dedicated on Saturday, April 23, 2022, one day after Earth Day. The dedication ceremony was covered by The Star Democrat, and we wrote extensively about the project’s construction and energy design in our blog here.

The $2.9 million affordable housing project was completed under the leadership of Don Bibb, Executive Director of the Housing Commission of Talbot, with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Maryland Energy Administration. Maryland DHCD provided funding and great support for the new construction project through their Energy Efficient Homes Construction Loan Program (Net Zero Program), with a portion leveraged by the Maryland Energy Administration’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

Nicholas Landing also received a commendation from Senator Chris Van Hollen for its commitment to sustainable development and dedication to meeting the needs of the community. 

In 2019, the Housing Commission of Talbot began a redevelopment effort to create Nicholas Landing, a net zero energy infill project on a large corner lot located at the intersection of Port and West Streets in Easton, Maryland. Construction on the project wrapped up in 2021, and the solar energy systems that make the project net zero have been operational for close to a year. As we wrote about previously in more detail, the goal was to achieve net zero energy buildings which are designed to – on an annualized basis – produce the same amount of energy that they use on site, significantly lowering their environmental impact. To accomplish this, Flywheel Development and Beracah Homes designed, engineered and built these nine units as a model of new sustainable development that respects the vernacular architecture of neighboring historic buildings. 

While residents have not yet moved in (families are preparing to move into the units by June 1, 2022), the energy model is looking good. The project is currently net positive by a significant margin, which means there is plenty of room for occupant energy use. We look forward to checking back in on energy performance after residents move in! 

Because the solar system is divided into nine individual systems and net metered into each residential unit, residents will directly receive the benefits of solar on their electricity bills. As Don Bibb said at the ceremony, “By reducing the carbon footprint and doing all-electric energy here we are also passing the savings to the public because people would typically have to get assistance and utility allowances and now they don’t need them.” 

We were thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking project, with its outstanding commitment to sustainable reinvestment, community development, and of course the vision to create a beautiful addition to Easton, Maryland. This project demonstrates that housing can be healthy, it can be sustainable, and it can benefit residents that need it most. We’re excited to see how this model created by the Housing Commission of Talbot is replicated throughout Maryland and across the country.