According to the Trust for Architectural Easements, the greenest buildings are the ones that are already built. If that is the case Central City Concern (CCC), a Portland non-profit devoted to ending homelessness, is doing a lot to improve the environment.

CCC develops and manages 1400 units of housing in the Portland area. Most are in old hotels that have been converted into low-income housing.

CCC is converting the old Ramada Inn in Portland’s Rose Quarter into 176 units of low-income housing. They’re also increasing the building’s energy efficiency with solar panels on the roof and heating and cooling units in each apartment that turn off automatically when someone leaves the room. The building has a large bike storage room and is close to public transportation.

Some of CCC’s other properties include the Estate Hotel in old town, The Biltmore Hotel, and Hotel Alder. Central City Concern’s Executive Director says by increasing efficiency they have been able to reduce energy consumption by as much as 40% in some of the buildings. The Rose Quarter Housing project is scheduled to be finished in March 2010.