At least a dozen states promote more healthy, sustainable homes
Inman News
A report released today by The Enterprise Foundation shows that state housing agencies are encouraging affordable-home builders to implement a wide range of "green building" practices to make homes healthier, more efficient and more sustainable.
The report, "A Greener Plan for Affordable Housing," summarizes elements in state plans for allocating federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (Housing Credits) in the areas of smart site locations, energy and resource efficiency, and healthy living environments. The Enterprise Foundation provides financing for affordable-housing projects.
"'A Greener Plan for Affordable Housing' shows states are serious about ensuring that the affordable homes they help provide conserve energy and natural resources, promote healthier living, and support state and local strategies to connect affordable homes to transportation and job opportunities," said Bart Harvey, chairman and chief executive officer of The Enterprise Foundation.
The report finds that many states encourage developers to meet some standard of energy and/or water efficiency, utilize sustainable, durable materials, and ensure proximity to services and amenities. A smaller number of states are taking a more holistic approach that emphasizes strong conservation, healthy homes and smart site location approaches.
Among states that the report finds particularly progressive in certain areas are:
- Georgia, Michigan and Oregon: Emphasize walkable communities.
- Illinois and Minnesota: Stress transit access in connection with affordable housing.
- California, Illinois and Massachusetts: Award points in their scoring systems for developments that utilize alternative energy sources such as solar panels or geothermal heating.
- Connecticut: Rewards developments that meet asthma-safe criteria.
- Arizona and New Mexico: Prioritize indoor air quality.
- Virginia: Awards points to developments in which a U.S. Green Building Council- certified professional participates.
The report was based on an analysis of every state's 2005 Housing Credit allocation plan (as of April 2005) and additional relevant policy guidance that affects the Housing Credit program in certain states. The author is James Tassos, a housing industry consultant based in Santa Barbara, Calif., who worked for nine years on the Housing Credit program at the National Council of State Housing Agencies. The report is available at http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/.
