In the May 20, 2026 Local 20/20 column in the PT Leader, Eric Jones of Housing Solutions Network discusses the connections between housing density, affordability and climate change.
Save the Planet, Build Denser Housing
By Eric Jones
First off, can we all agree that “density” is not the most appealing word when describing housing? How about “connected communities”, “neighborhood centric development” or “ecologically holistic housing”? Perhaps such words could help rebrand density as not something to be feared, but rather celebrated – that is, when it is done well. It is no secret that smart, dense development increases social interaction, reduces reliance on cars (and with it less congestion), more efficiently distributes the cost of public infrastructure, supports local businesses, and – as the title of this column suggests – reduces our collective environmental impact. This is largely because how and where we build our housing impacts how we get to jobs and services, which for most of us means climbing into a car. One could even be so blunt as to classify new housing into two categories: housing that is likely to increase per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and Housing that is likely to decrease per capita vehicle miles traveled. It’s not quite that simple, but it does make you think.
In the United States, transportation is the number one source of climate warming pollution (EPA Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2022) and Jefferson County is no different, where our per capita transportation emissions have been on the rise (Jefferson County, Washington 2018 Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report specifically namechecks density as a key strategy for reducing emissions and transportation pollution (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Working Group III: Mitigation of Climate Change 2022).
Though let’s be honest, embracing density is not easy. It means losing that vacant lot next door, a year of construction noise in the neighborhood and seeing more cars parked on the block. But perhaps hardest of all is confronting the fact that we don’t see the value in our neighborhoods changing (in fact we tend to only see the drawbacks) – we prefer things the way they are. This is, of course, a natural inclination, one driven by evolutionary instincts that the status quo is most likely to ensure our personal survival. Even reading the fact that denser housing development is critical to combating climate change still makes it hard to accept.
For me, I find strength in knowing that perpetuating the status quo is an impossible task. Nothing is unaffected by change and the truth is our county, our towns, our neighborhoods are changing by inaction just as much if not more than they are by action. As housing prices (and other costs) have climbed, many people in our community (in this country!) are struggling to stay housed or remain in communities they grew up in or lived in for decades. Demographically, Jefferson County is now at the extreme end of the age scale with a median age just shy of 60 years-old (American Community Survey (ACS) 2024). Our workforce has been declining in numbers for over a decade even as the population has increased (ACS 2012-2024). This threatens the viability of local businesses, marine trades industry, artistic culture and healthcare services. We are letting these realities change our community without our participation and with it our culture, diversity and resilience.
Fortunately, climate goals and affordability, as well as many other community values (preserving open space, wildlife habitat, equity, aging in place), overlap around the concept of more closely clustered housing, aka density. Denser housing development is inherently less costly than spaced out single family homes. When located close to services, this also means less money spent on transportation – nationally the number two household expense after housing, even more than food (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024).
However, density alone is not the full picture. Independently it is not going to solve housing affordability and it is not going to solve climate change. These are two massive issues that are never going to see meaningful progress through a single strategy – part of what makes them so challenging. Thoughtful density is nevertheless an essential component. With it we must allow ourselves to think more imaginatively and expansively about what new housing in this community could look like and the many ways it could be a benefit. Let’s start with how denser housing creates more opportunities for chance encounters, low-stakes interactions – getting outside our social bubbles and growing circles of empathy. If I’ve learned anything through my advocacy work it’s that facts and data don’t often shift perspectives, but personal relationships do. This is powerful stuff that has the potential to curb climate impact and house our community in ways that are not yet imaginable. If this type of mindset resonates with you, let’s talk, all of us can be part of creating solutions.
Eric Jones is the Director of Housing Solutions Network, a nonprofit focused on increasing housing opportunities for Jefferson County workers through advocacy, education, engagement and networking: www.housingsolutionsnetwork.org. He lives in a small duplex with his partner and two kids and dreams of a world where personal cars are no longer the primary form of transportation. Housing Solutions Network will be holding a Housing Happy Hour in collaboration with Local 20/20 on June 24th, see the Local 20/20 weekly announcements for details.
