GreenHome Institute: Protecting Families Through Climate-Resilient Homes

Sustainability Associate Hanna De La Vega Sanchez recently sat down with José Reyna as part of the Forum’s monthly Spanish-language sustainability series on La Ponderosa Radio in Grand Rapids. (Una versión en español de esta publicación está disponible aquí).

For José Reyna, climate action starts at the front door. At the GreenHome Institute, he works to ensure that Hispanic families in Michigan have homes that are energy-efficient, safe, and capable of withstanding extreme weather events intensified by climate change.

“Our mission is about more than saving energy, it’s about protecting families, especially those in Hispanic communities, from the worst impacts of climate change,” José explains. Through education, and technical resources, the institute empowers homeowners and developers to make sustainable upgrades, cut carbon emissions, and improve indoor health.

Hispanic neighborhoods often face structural housing inequities, leaving them more vulnerable to heatwaves, flooding, and rising energy costs. José highlighted how federal programs, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), lower barriers to access, making climate-smart retrofits and sustainable upgrades affordable through rebates, tax incentives, and support for energy-efficient infrastructure.

Climate-resilient housing not only benefits families it strengthens local economies, creates jobs in green sectors, and ensures long-term energy savings. José also pointed to lessons from Latin America, where urban planning in countries like Brazil prioritizes sustainability and community resilience. “We can and should learn from these models to design more climate-smart communities right here in the U.S.,” he notes.

By investing in resilient housing, the GreenHome Institute shows that sustainability, equity, and community health go hand in hand protecting families today while building stronger, greener neighborhoods for the future.

Listen to the segment below in Spanish:

José introduces the GreenHome Institute and its role in tackling climate change through resilient home-building practices.

The discussion focuses on steps policymakers, businesses, and individuals can take to support the transition to sustainable, climate resilient homes in Michigan.