ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A major push in Rochester to build new affordable homes includes a caveat — they must run 100% on electricity. Supply chains and the high cost of building materials provide some challenges and leaders believe the payoff will be worth it.

When Emma Travis looked for a new home, she found her favorite in northeast Rochester.

“This is a very nice street, and it's very upcoming,” said Travis. “It seems to be quiet, and I love the homes.”

There are six brand-new homes on this street. In this city, they are considered models for the future.

“When we create opportunities for people to buy a home, build wealth and create a better future for their families, we create the city that everyone wants to live in,” said Rochester Mayor Malik Evans.

When officials cut the ribbon on the project, it wasn’t just about social equity, but also green energy.

“This is the standard that we are working to,” said city councilmember Michael Patterson. “And this is the standard that we are going to be demanding for all development in the city of Rochester.”

Homes built through Rochester’s Buy the Block program are 100% electric. There are no gas hookups and the homes are built for efficiency.

“I get choked up every time someone moves into one of these homes,” said Michael Spaan, whose company built the new homes. “It is a different quality of life in here. No lead, no asbestos, clean air, everything's fresh.”

Buy the Block is federally funded through the American Rescue Plan. Those funds cover the cost of building the new homes. Applicants must agree to live in the homes for at least 15 years. The plan is to build 18 additional homes in Northeast Rochester by the end of 2023.

A city spokesperson says it costs in the ballpark of $300,000 to build the new homes, which will list for between $89,000 and $139,000. New technology costs much more when it’s new. 

“The electrical part is very challenging because electric wire has skyrocketed since COVID,” said Spaan. “So, yes, we're trying to get more conservative on the electric heat, but then the price of electric wire has gone so sky high. So it hasn’t balanced out yet, but hopefully, in time we'll get back to where it'd be competitive and be where everyone wants it to be.”

Travis is where she wants to be. And she likes the green part of it.

“That’s very much important,” said Travis. “Very much important for us today, because of so much that we’re losing. And me, myself, I’m a gardener. 

A green thumb — in a green home — in a neighborhood on the rise.

“Makes it better. Especially homeowners, they’re gonna take care of their neighborhood,” she said.