Breakthrough Project Aims to Bring Flood of Zero-Energy Housing to Milwaukee

Shilpa Sankaran is a consultant driving adoption of innovations in the built environment and the health of the planet, societies, and people. She is currently an advisor to the City of Milwaukee, who is spearheading a breakthrough public-private partnership in offsite affordable, zero-energy housing production. Previously, Shilpa was the Executive Director of the Net Zero Energy Coalition, co-founder of the REALIZE prefabricated zero energy retrofit model, and co-founder of ZETA Communities, a modular zero energy buildings fabricator in Sacramento.

In the wake of a global crisis, a cocktail of pandemic, economic distress, political turmoil, and heightened awareness of social inequity, we sit in the still point of opportunity for change.

Cue the City of Milwaukee. This city has seen its share of change — including economic and social trauma from the depletion of its manufacturing culture — and it has shown amazing resilience through grit and innovation. Now, we see revitalized and thriving new neighborhoods, innovation in water and sustainability, and new industries popping up throughout the city.

Milwaukee, led by Mayor Tom Barrett and the City’s Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO),is spearheading a project that could bring back the original spirit of the city, and serve as a model for other cities around the country. The City is seeking a partner to locate a factory that will build zero-energy housing as part of public-private social enterprise.

On the surface, this may sound like just another construction solution, but Milwaukee sees it as so much more. This one solution will create income opportunities and green skills development for the residents of one of the most economically depressed areas in the country. These very residents will also have new home ownership opportunities, and will be able to proudly support their own health and the health of the planet with zero energy homes. Local manufacturing will take place in this same area — the 30th Street corridor — restoring a culture of industry, while revitalizing the neighborhood.

The goal is to target Phius Certification for all buildings, which requires certification under EPA ENERGY STAR, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes and EPA Indoor airPLUS as co-requisite programs.

To attract an aligned partner, the City of Milwaukee is deeply committed to lowering barriers to entry and supporting the long-term success of a factory partner with financial, training, pipeline, and policy and codes support.

The first step is garnering industry interest through a Request for Information (RFI) which is due on July 12th. Later this summer, a Request For Proposal (RFP) will be issued, and the hope is to secure a partnership by the end of 2021 or early 2022. Following the design and construction of demonstration unit(s), the goal is to open the factory for full production by 2023.

If you are interested in participating in this process, please submit your Intent to Respond, and respond to the short RFI by July 12th. The RFI can be found here.