First of Their Kind: Dover’sBreakthrough Passive Homes
Dover, DE
Dover Passive Homes: Delivering more stable, climate-resilient, and affordable homeownership through high-performance housing
Four homes on North Kirkwood Street in Central Dover are Delaware’s very first Phius certified buildings. The project was developed by NeighborGood Partners, and funded in part by Energize Delaware. Designed to meet the most demanding residential energy-performance standard in the country, these homes reduce energy demand while maintaining safe indoor temperatures during extreme heat and cold.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT
AT-A-GLANCE IMPACT
Affordability: Four affordable homes for first-time buyers, expanding access to stable, high-performance homeownership
Performance: All-electric, high-performance homes support long-term affordability with predictable energy use and operating expenses
Resident Wellbeing: Superior air sealing, filtration, and continuous mechanical ventilation support improved indoor environmental quality, resident comfort, and long-term wellbeing
Across Delaware, rising energy costs and climate impacts hit some households harder than others. When homes are inefficient, utility bills spike during extreme weather, forcing families to make impossible tradeoffs between housing, food, and other essential household needs. By contrast, resilient, energy-efficient homes help stabilize monthly costs and protect residents during periods of heat, cold, and poor air quality. This project demonstrates how high-performance, climate-resilient housing can be delivered within an affordable homeownership model while creating a replicable pathway for broader housing and climate solutions.
KEY OUTCOMES
New Ecology holds a construction phase training session on the high-performance features of the home before final finishing is completed.
Housing Stability & Affordability: High-performance homes make energy use and ongoing utility costs more predictable, supporting long-term housing stability and making homes more affordable to live in.
Energy Performance & Cost Reduction: The highest level of verified building performance reduces energy demand and helps maintain low operating costs.
Climate Resilience & Risk Reduction: Homes are designed to maintain safe indoor conditions during extreme weather, reducing risk and ensuring reliable performance over time.
Workforce & Sector Capacity: Hands-on training expanded the capacity of builders and partners to deliver high-performance housing, supporting broader adoption across the sector.
WHY IT MATTERS
This project demonstrates how high- performance affordable homeownership and long-term energy efficiency have a positive impact on resident comfort, housing stability, and long-term affordability, and strengthens housing stability while creating a scalable model for integrating housing, affordability, energy, and climate solutions. It also shows how technical assistance, financing, and performance standards can be aligned to expand access to climate-resilient homeownership.
PARTNERS
Partners include NeighborGood Partners (owner), Energize Delaware, the Delaware State Housing Authority, the City of Dover, Healthy Communities Delaware (funders), participating contractors, and New Ecology.
Architect: Architectural Alliance
MEP: Blake & Vaughn
Builder: Green Diamond Builders