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Dear HCR Partner, 

As you may know, New York State’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) requires an 85 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 and eventually net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy. The buildings sector contributes just over 30% of the State's greenhouse gas emissions.  

HCR has been at the forefront of the State’s efforts to reduce harmful building emissions by requiring energy efficient design elements across our portfolio of programs. 

To continue our success and ensure that New York achieves its ambitious climate goals through decarbonization, we are excited to announce our new Sustainability Guidelines for multifamily housing, which will take effect beginning with our Fall 2022 9% Multifamily Finance RFP and on proposals submitted to the 4% Bond program following the release of these guidelines. 

The Sustainability Guidelines build upon our existing strategies and practices included in HCR’s Design Guidelines* and lay out a clear pathway for reaching the State’s CLCPA decarbonization goals in buildings. The new guidelines will apply to both new construction projects and existing buildings, and include criteria such as third-party certification programs, high performance building shells, systems and equipment, reduction or removal of fossil fuel-based sources, increased indoor environmental quality and resiliency measures. 

*An update to the 2021 HCR Design Guidelines will be issued in May 2022.

We hope that you share our enthusiasm for this critical next step. 

To help you and your teams understand the new Sustainability Guidelines, HCR’s Sustainability Unit is hosting a series of webinars during the month of May to explain the guidelines in detail and answer your questions. 

Below, you will find additional information on the webinars. Please remember to register and share with your colleagues so that we can better reach our intended audiences. 

We look forward to working together to achieve a greener and healthier New York State for all. 

Sincerely, 

RuthAnne Visnauskas

Commissioner/CEO

Training 1: HCR Overview of the New Sustainability Guidelines 

Wednesday, May 4th, 3 pm – 4 pm 

Join HCR's Design and Sustainability teams for an overview of the newly released HCR Sustainability Guidelines, New Construction and Existing Buildings Booklets. In this hour-long training HCR will provide a high-level description of the new SG booklets’ organization, content and applicability to your future projects, and give insight into HCR’s long-term sustainability goals, as they align with the State's CLCPA goals. Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation and overview. 

Please note that HCR will be providing additional more technical training on each booklet (New Construction and Existing Buildings, separately) in the coming weeks. We encourage those with technical or more detailed questions to attend these later trainings in addition to the overview. 

Recommended to attend: Owners, Project developers, Architects, Project Managers, Energy Management Service Providers 

Register here

Training 2: HCR Sustainability Guidelines: New Construction Booklet Briefing   

Wednesday, May 11th, 1 pm – 2 pm 

Join HCR for a deep dive into the newly released Sustainability Guidelines New Construction Booklet, a new supplemental booklet to the HCR Design Guidelines. During this hour-long training, HCR will provide a detailed overview of the booklet contents including a highlight of new requirements. We will provide ample time for Q&A at the end of the presentation and discussion.  

Recommended to attend: New Construction Project developers, Architects, Project Managers, Energy Management Service Providers, Engineers (MEP/HVAC)  

Register here

Training 3: HCR Sustainability Guidelines: Existing Buildings Booklet Briefing   

Wednesday, May 18th, 1 pm – 2 pm  

Join HCR for a deep dive into the newly released Sustainability Guidelines Existing Buildings Booklet, a new supplemental booklet to the HCR Design Guidelines. During this hour-long training, HCR will provide a detailed overview of the booklet standards and requirements. We will review the construction types, and process to navigate this booklet when designing any type of rehabilitation or adaptive reuse project. Ample time for Q&A will be made available at the end of the formal presentation and discussion.   

Recommended to attend: Existing Buildings Project developers, Architects, Project Managers, Energy Management Service Providers, Engineers (MEP/HVAC)  

Register here

Training 4: Integrated Physical Needs Assessment (IPNA) Standard for HCR Projects 

Wednesday, May 25th, 1 pm – 2 pm 

Join HCR and NYSERDA for an overview of the IPNA tool required under the newly released Sustainability Guidelines Existing Buildings Booklet. During this hour-long training, presenters will provide an overview where to find the required tool, how to use it, and who is qualified to complete it. There will be ample time for Q&A. This training is tailored for developers and their project teams, but all are welcome to attend. 

Recommended to attend: Existing Buildings Project developers, Project Managers, Energy Management Service Providers, Needs Providers and others who perform IPNA's for HCR. 

Register here