July Climate Leader: Sunshine Mathon

Meet our July Climate Leader: the Executive Director of Piedmont Housing Alliance, Sunshine Mathon. Committed to supporting deeply equitable and sustainable affordable communities, he has led the development of over 1,200 healthy, efficient homes in Texas and Virginia. As a nationally-recognized leader in the climate resilient + equitable affordable housing sector, Sunshine has consulted with a wide variety of local and national housing agencies and developers. Sunshine holds a Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and B.S. in Physics from Bates College in Maine.

Piedmont Housing Alliance’s mission is to create affordable housing opportunities and foster community through education, lending, and equitable development in the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson and the city of Charlottesville.

We asked Sunshine for his perspectives on the intersection of affordable housing, climate, and racial justice.

1. Tell us why you think it is important to incorporate housing affordability into climate solutions?  

I think about this both from a solutions perspective, but also from a resiliency perspective.  For decades, the vast majority of environment-focused efforts have failed to understand the causal links between human health, cultural norms, perceived benefit, and environmental impact.  Low-income communities, particularly those of color, have been and will continue to be the most directly impact by climate change.  And, conversely, addressing and re-visioning systems that benefit these communities have some of the greatest opportunity for impact as climate solutions.  Housing affordability, specifically viewed through a holistic lens of health (indoor air quality), durability (well-built), culture (pride in where people live), and operating cost (reduced energy and water costs), aligns perfectly with climate impact goals. 

2. What is Piedmont Housing Alliance doing to advance climate solutions?

As we look to build new affordable homes, all of these factors (indoor air quality, durability, culture and operating costs) are front and center.  As an example, the redevelopment of Friendship Court will result in housing that is deeply affordable and is the healthiest and most energy efficient of almost any community in the country.  The addition of solar will also further reduce energy costs for residents and act as puzzle piece in the fabric of climate solutions.

2. What are you hopeful about right now?

I firmly believe that every crisis is an opportunity for transformation.  While it’s difficult to see sometimes while in the thick of it, I have faith – as long as we couple that with hard work.

3. What is one thing that is holding the state or local business community back from greater progress on implementing affordable housing and climate solutions?

“Small circle” thinking.  When we draw a small circle of perceived connection (both benefit and impact) around ourselves, our families, and our businesses, it is difficult to feel and understand the web of interconnection between us all.  “Large circle” thinking broadens our conception of connection and mitigates externalizing the impacts of our choices.

4. What is a climate action personally or professionally that you are proud of?

Before arriving in Charlottesville, I facilitated the installation of almost 1MW of solar across affordable housing communities throughout central Texas.  I hope to do the same here. 

5. What is one thing we could do as a community to build a more equitable society?

Uh, this is a really, really big question….  Every choice we make should be viewed through a lens to assess whether the impact of the choice broadens or closes the racial gaps our society has perpetrated for generations. 

6. This is challenging work.  What is your favorite way to recharge and rejuvenate?

I bring out my camera, take a walk in the woods, and shoot.