fostering equitable, sustainable futures
|
Three3 (ThreeCubed) is a 501(c)3 research non-profit that conducts innovative and interdisciplinary social science research while offering educational programming to promote the integrated achievement of the three pillars of sustainability—equity, environment, and economics—in combination.
Research/Evaluation
|
|
recent ActivitiesSeptember 2021
We are so excited to release final results from our multi-year, multi-region evaluation of the health and safety-related non-energy impacts (NEIs) of weatherizing affordable multifamily housing. This study is the most comprehensive evaluation of multifamily (MF) NEIs, encompassing the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S., that has been conducted to date. This first-of-many publications from this study was prepared for the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Program Administrators focusing on multifamily buildings served through the Mass Save® income-eligible coordinated delivery initiative. Click here for a project overview and here to download the full report. Sneak peek: Below are the estimated annual MF NEI values the Massachusetts Program Administrators are adopting for regulatory processes. Monetized values of additional NEIs are presented in the report. 
|
Summer 2021 - Summer 2022
Measuring the Impacts of Weatherization on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has funded Three3 to study the impacts of home weatherization on indoor temperature, relative humidity, and occupant well-being and health, particularly in relation to arthritis, asthma and COPD. The team has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority to install temperature and humidity loggers in the homes of 22 Nashville-area participants in the Home Uplift energy efficiency program this summer and conduct surveys with the residents about their health and comfort inside their homes. Following the summer pilot, loggers will be placed in more participating homes throughout Tennessee to capture impacts in winter also.
Fall-Winter 2021
Refugee Housing Needs Assessment in E. TN
Three3 and Bridge Refugee Services (BRS) are conducting a needs study to assess the challenges associated with refugee access to affordable and adequate housing in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas of Tennessee. This understanding will better equip organizations in providing appropriate housing relief to incoming refugees and to secure and maintain ideal relationships with landlords. To advance our knowledge, BRS and Three3 plan to implement semi-structured interviews with five groups of stakeholders:
Measuring the Impacts of Weatherization on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has funded Three3 to study the impacts of home weatherization on indoor temperature, relative humidity, and occupant well-being and health, particularly in relation to arthritis, asthma and COPD. The team has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority to install temperature and humidity loggers in the homes of 22 Nashville-area participants in the Home Uplift energy efficiency program this summer and conduct surveys with the residents about their health and comfort inside their homes. Following the summer pilot, loggers will be placed in more participating homes throughout Tennessee to capture impacts in winter also.
Fall-Winter 2021
Refugee Housing Needs Assessment in E. TN
Three3 and Bridge Refugee Services (BRS) are conducting a needs study to assess the challenges associated with refugee access to affordable and adequate housing in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas of Tennessee. This understanding will better equip organizations in providing appropriate housing relief to incoming refugees and to secure and maintain ideal relationships with landlords. To advance our knowledge, BRS and Three3 plan to implement semi-structured interviews with five groups of stakeholders:
- Refugees living in rental housing in the greater Knoxville and Chattanooga areas
- Stakeholders and staff of the Episcopal Migration Ministries
- Landlords who have been willing to rent to refugees
- Landlords that have not yet rented to refugees
- Other relevant stakeholders not already listed
Our Statement
The mission of Three3 remains rooted in the imperative to achieve equitable, sustainable futures. Our organization works to meaningfully establish racial equity and justice into the cross-sector research we conduct, in our facilitation of policymaking and program evaluation, and by applying a human rights-based framework to our work. In solidarity with Black Lives Matter, we strive to do better. We remain committed to donating our social science capabilities to under-funded local community initiatives for racial justice and parity, and for black dignity and freedoms. We remain ever vigilant in the monitoring and evaluation of both the benefits and burdens produced by current and historical policies, programs, and budgets enacted locally and across this country. As always, we remain truly grateful to black and brown community members across the South that have allowed us inside their homes for us to gather stories and struggles with energy affordability and housing quality. Your stories are gifts and we will continue to elevate and amplify your voices so that we might move toward a new social contract; one where Black Lives Matter.
Other actions: In response to the need for explicit antiracist actions, Three3 reviewed and revised our employee handbook this week and has initiated Social Responsibility Reporting for our company that will include an annual review of our policies and organizational culture, subcontractor and vendor selections, and financial investments. To better align with our mission and personal values, we have also determined the need to identify and commit to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment funds for our company’s 401K with a focus on social sustainability.
The mission of Three3 remains rooted in the imperative to achieve equitable, sustainable futures. Our organization works to meaningfully establish racial equity and justice into the cross-sector research we conduct, in our facilitation of policymaking and program evaluation, and by applying a human rights-based framework to our work. In solidarity with Black Lives Matter, we strive to do better. We remain committed to donating our social science capabilities to under-funded local community initiatives for racial justice and parity, and for black dignity and freedoms. We remain ever vigilant in the monitoring and evaluation of both the benefits and burdens produced by current and historical policies, programs, and budgets enacted locally and across this country. As always, we remain truly grateful to black and brown community members across the South that have allowed us inside their homes for us to gather stories and struggles with energy affordability and housing quality. Your stories are gifts and we will continue to elevate and amplify your voices so that we might move toward a new social contract; one where Black Lives Matter.
Other actions: In response to the need for explicit antiracist actions, Three3 reviewed and revised our employee handbook this week and has initiated Social Responsibility Reporting for our company that will include an annual review of our policies and organizational culture, subcontractor and vendor selections, and financial investments. To better align with our mission and personal values, we have also determined the need to identify and commit to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment funds for our company’s 401K with a focus on social sustainability.