www.greencommunitiesonline.org
Our mission is to see that all lowincome people in the United States
have the opportunity for fit and
affordable housing and to move up
and out of poverty into the
mainstream of American life.
Why Green Communities Now
Run down, unhealthy housing
Rising transportation and energy costs
Sprawling, unsustainable development
Air Pollution and
Equity
30% of all emergency room
visits are asthma related
Environmental Impacts of
Transportation
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30-40% of total
US energy use
US has 4% of world
population and uses
47% of world’s
gasoline
Transportation can
be the 2nd largest
expense in a lowincome household
Environmental Impact of Buildings
•Use 30-40% of total US energy
•60-70% of electricity
•35-40% of municipal solid waste
•25-30% of wood and raw materials
•25% of water use
Benefits of Green Communities
Healthier homes for individuals,
children, and parents
Increased income and enhanced
opportunities for low-income individuals
and families
Sustainable, smart development
Forest
Protection
Stemming
Climate
Change
Indirect
(Global)
Direct & Indirect Benefit
(Regional and Indiv/Org)
Stormwater
Retention
Direct Benefit
(Individual/Org)
Waste
Management/
Recycled
Materials
Energy Savings
Improved Air Quality
Reduced Maintenance
Green Communities Framework
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Integrated Design Process
Location and Neighborhood Fabric
Site
Water Conservation
Energy Conservation
Materials and Resources
Healthy Living Environment
Operations and Management
National
Partners
Natural Resource Defense
Council
The Home Depot
Foundation
American Institute of Architects
J.P. Morgan Chase
the American Planning
Association,
The Kresge Foundation
Bank of America
Merrill Lynch Community
Development Company
Blue Moon Fund
M&T Bank
BP America
Citigroup Foundation
National Center for Healthy
Housing
Fannie Mae
Surdna Foundation
Freddie Mac
Tides Foundation
Global Green USA
Washington Mutual
Grants
Up to $5mm
Project Planning
Technical Assistance, Training
Green Building Features
Community Developers
and Home Builders
Increased Use of Green Practices
Lower Costs to Go Green
Competitive Advantages
Loans (EHFS)
Up to $50mm
Low Cost Loans
Predevelopment
Site Acquisition
Equity (ESIC)
Up to $500mm
Competitively Priced Equity
Construction / Rehab
Policy and
Communications
Advocacy
Research, Evaluation
Publications, Symposia
8,500 Green Homes
Rental, For Sale,
Community Facilities
Healthier Environments
Lower Life Cycle Costs
Better Opportunities
Policy Makers, Funders
Opinion Leaders
New Coalitions
New Ways of Thinking
New Sources of Support
Effecting Industry Change:
Housing Programs and Policies
Introducing Green Communities Criteria
RFQ/RFPs and NOFAs
LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plans
A Greener Plan for Affordable Housing
Supporting Industry Change:
Place Based Training
Live Online Events
Technical Assistance Hotline
404-391-5857
Green Communities Charette Grants
For Projects Seeking to go Green
Must commit to Best Effort to Incorporate Green Criteria
Must Identify a Qualified “Green” Facilitator
Must Show a Plan and Budget For Use of Funds
Up to $5,000
Details on www.greencommunitiesonline.org
Green Communities Loans
Eligible Loan Properties
Rental or for-sale affordable housing
Land, vacant buildings, and/or occupied property
New construction or rehab
Eligible Loan Uses - $50M over 5years
Predevelopment
Acquisition
Construction
Green Communities Tax Credit Equity
Financial Impact of LIHTC Equity
$500 million of the $555 million available
6,500 of the 8,500 homes
Raise the Bar for LIHTC Market
Corporate Investor “Goodwill”
Prioritize Green
Help Cover the Cost of Green
Package Financial Incentives
Aggressively priced equity
Incentivizing Industry Change:
Grants - $5 M
Green Charrettes
Sustainability Training
Predevelopment and
Construction
Loans - $50 M
Zero Percent Pre-development
5.5% Site Acquisition and Construction
LIHTC Equity
Incentivizing Industry Change: Year One
$179 million in financial support
$1.9 M in grants awarded
$13 M in loans
$160 M in tax credit equity invested
4,300 green affordable homes
23 States plus DC
37 national, state and local partners
Sharing Industry Change:
Lessons Learned
Project Profiles
Evaluation of
Costs and Benefits
www.greencommunitiesonline.org
www.greencommunitiesonline.org