Sustainable Design Strategies and Planning Features of LEED-Certified Affordable Housing

This study investigates nine U.S. LEED‑certified affordable housing projects to examine how environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability are integratively implemented, and to derive implications for public rental housing in Korea. The cases comprise U.S. affordable housing projects that received LEED Homes Awards between 2022 and 2024. Secondary data were collected from the USGBC LEED Project Directory, LEED Homes Awards documentation, HUD case reports, and related professional articles. Using LEED for Homes v4 as a reference, an analytical framework was developed by reorganizing the rating categories into environmental, social, and economic dimensions, and applied to compare cross‑case characteristics. Environmentally, the projects adopted packages of high‑efficiency HVAC systems, renewable energy installations, and rainwater harvesting, achieving approximately 30–88% reductions in energy use, 25–50% reductions in water use, and 85–90% diversion of construction waste. Socially, enhanced public transit access, diverse community facilities, and tailored design and programs for older adults, persons with disabilities, and veterans contributed to improved health and social support. Economically, using more than 40% regional materials, recycling construction waste, and reducing energy and water costs enabled recovery of LEED‑related capital premiums within about 7–10 years. These findings indicate that LEED certification can function as an integrated strategy that simultaneously enhances environmental performance, resident quality of life, community cohesion, and local economic vitality in public affordable housing.