Emerging Public Health Needs for Climate Smart Technology in Connecticut Affordable Housing

How do power outages impact people who use home medical devices and live in affordable housing units across Connecticut? How can resilient power – solar paired with battery storage – support medically vulnerable affordable housing residents in the event of an outage? Recently, a team of researchers investigated this question with the goal of supporting informed decision-making regarding the implementation of Climate Smart Technologies. Through this effort, the project team aims to increase the resiliency of home medical device users through advances in resilient power development, building codes, and other policy changes so that they can remain healthy in the face of extreme weather events.

In this webinar, we heard from the research team behind the recently published report titled “Emerging Public Health Needs for Climate Smart Technology in Connecticut Affordable Housing,” which highlights the results of nearly 100 interviews and focus groups with affordable housing residents and support staff. Clean Energy Group also spoke to resilient power feasibility analysis at affordable housing facilities that support medically vulnerable residents. An affordable housing partner spoke to their experience engaging in the interview process and exploring renewable and resilient energy opportunities for their residents.

Presenters:

• Annie Harper, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
• Bryan Garcia, President and CEO, Connecticut Green Bank
• Marriele Mango, Project Director, Clean Energy Group
• Darlene Yule, MPH, Chief Operating Officer, Operation Fuel
• Jesse Wescott, Vice President, The Towers