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Oct 16-19: Verifier Retreat 2023 | Please note: No reviews will be completed during the week of October 16th due to all Green staff attending the annual NGBS Green Verifier Retreat.
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Oct 17: NGBS Office Hours CANCELLED due to NGBS Green Verifier Retreat
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Oct 31: NGBS Office Hours | 2-3pm (Eastern) | Virtual | Open forum
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Nov 14: NGBS Office Hours | 2-3pm (Eastern) | Virtual | Open forum
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Nov 15-17: RESNET Conference | San Diego, CA
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Nov 23: Home Innovation Research Labs CLOSED for Thanksgiving
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Nov 28: NGBS Office Hours | 2-3pm (Eastern) | Virtual | Open forum
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Over the last several weeks, our Green Team members have been on the road visiting with many NGBS Green Partners. We always enjoy meeting with you in person and learning about your work. | |
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Cindy and Katie (L-R) at the GreenBuild Conference and Expo in Washington D.C.
Planning to attend the upcoming RESNET Conference in San Diego?
Contact Katie or Bob Burns (AXIS team) to schedule a time to connect.
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CANCELLED! October 17TH Office Hours | Office Hours previously scheduled for October 17th has been cancelled due to all Green staff attending the annual NGBS Green Verifier Retreat. Please plan appropriately. | |
Home Innovation's offices will be closed Thursday, November 23rd for Thanksgiving. Any submissions after COB on Tuesday (Nov 21ST) will not be processed until Monday (Nov 27TH). Staff vacations around this date - and going forward, through the end of the year - may slow certification processing. Please plan appropriately. | |
Congratulations to our latest Green PROs! | |
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NGBS Green PRO Directory
All other NGBS Green PROs are currently featured on our website. See the directory.
Earn your NGBS Green PRO professional designation to validate your expertise in green design, construction, and building certification.
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Are you a student interested in green building?
Register with your ".edu" email address and use the discount code NGBSStudentEDU to reduce the training fee to $100.
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NEW! IRS Issues New Guidance for 45L Tax Credit | |
When the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was adopted in August 2022, the legislation was unclear as to whether certification was required for a building to earn the 45L New Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit. Recently, the IRS issued updated guidance to confirm that ENERGY STAR and/or DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification(s) are required.
For more information about the IRA incentives for energy efficiency retrofits and new construction, download our summary chart.
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HUD GRRP Program Recognizes +NET ZERO ENERGY and +RESILIENCE Certifications | |
HUD's new Green Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) is the first federal program to fund energy efficient and resilient improvements to existing properties. Building owners that plan to renovate eligible multifamily properties and earn NGBS Green Certification at the HUD-required level are eligible for substantial funding assistance. Download our overview of the GRRP funding levels and requirements.
The Leading Edge funding tier is designed for owners aiming to quickly meet ambitious carbon reduction and resilience goals without requiring extensive collaboration with HUD. This funding can be applied toward achievement of NGBS Green Certification at the Gold or Emerald levels, with the +NET ZERO ENERGY or +RESILIENCE certifications. Download the NGBS Green+ Compliance Handbook to learn how to comply with these certifications.
Find an NGBS Green Verifier experienced with green certification for existing buildings here.
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Now Available! HUD Funding Navigator Tool | |
HUD has launched the Build for the Future Funding Navigator on the HUD Exchange. The Funding Navigator provides information on funding opportunities made available under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and other federal programs. These opportunities provide funding and technical assistance to support your efforts in HUD-assisted communities, programs, and properties regarding the following topics:
- Climate resiliency
- Energy efficiency
- Renewable energy integration
- Healthy housing
- Workforce development
- Environmental justice
- Community transportation
The Funding Navigator provides information on funding availability, application details, and more. Use the range of filters within the Funding Navigator to find funding opportunities that align best with your needs.
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OHCS Allows Project Teams to Seek NGBS Green Certification via Variance | |
Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) requires funded new construction projects to pursue certification to Earth Advantage, Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED for Homes. While NGBS Green Certification is not explicitly recognized, the Department has allowed project teams to apply for a variance to pursue NGBS Green. To successfully propose an alternate third-party Sustainable Building Path, an application must include:
- A brief statement explaining the project team's interest in pursuing the proposed path,
- An explanation of how the proposed path is equal to or superior to the Department's approved paths, and
- A description of how the path is certified.
View OHCS' Core Development Manual to learn more. Our team has successfully helped NGBS Green Partners in preparing and submitting their variance request for NGBS Green Certification. Contact us for assistance.
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EU Corporate Sustainability (ESG) Reporting | |
European Union rules require large companies and listed companies to publish regular reports on the social and environmental risks they face, and on how their activities impact people and the environment.
In January 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) became effective. This directive modernizes and strengthens the rules concerning the social and environmental information that companies must report. A broader set of large companies, as well as listed small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are now required to report on sustainability.
The new rules ensure investors and other stakeholders have access to the information they need to assess the impact of companies on people and the environment and for investors to assess financial risks and opportunities arising from climate change and other sustainability issues. The new rules are also designed to reduce reporting costs for companies over the medium- to long-term by standardizing the information to be provided.
The first companies will have to apply the new rules for the first time in the 2024 financial year, for reports published in 2025.
Why should you care? Multifamily developers often have investors from around the world, including Europe. As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations become increasingly important to investors globally, complying with the CSRD can demonstrate a commitment to transparency and sustainability practices, potentially attracting more international investment.
If you haven't checked out our NGBS Green ESG Resources, they are available here.
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The following states have or will revise their Qualified Allocation Plans (QAP) for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. If you're aware of any current QAP activity in your state or locale not listed here or included in our online QAP Round-Up, please contact us.
IOWA: The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) released their 2024 Final QAP. No third-party green building programs are recognized. Projects can earn two points for meeting the requirements of the Iowa Green Streets program, in lieu of meeting energy requirements.
Home Innovation staff submitted public comments and attended the virtual public hearing, requesting that IFA include third-party green building programs as an alternative to the Iowa Green Streets Program.
PENNSYLVANIA: The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has published their final 2024 QAP. The QAP awards 10 points for new and rehabilitated buildings certified to 2020 NGBS Silver level, Enterprise Green Communities 2020, or LEED v4 Silver level. They also award 10 points for preservation developments certified to 2020 NGBS Whole Building Remodel, Bronze level; 2015 NGBS Functional Area Remodel, Bronze level; Enterprise Green Communities 2020 Moderate Rehab; or LEED v4 O&M, Certified level.
SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina released their draft 2024 QAP. In Appendix C1, projects can earn five points under the "Sustainable Buildings" section for earning one of the following green building certifications: NGBS Green, EarthCraft, Enterprise Green Communities, CHiP HOME, or LEED for Homes.
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PANGO® WRAP Termite/Vapor Barrier | |
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Pango Wrap Termite/Vapor Barrier is a physical barrier against subterranean termites and moisture vapor that
combines uniquely designed barrier materials with the flexibility and strength of extruded high-performance polyolefin film into an easy to install, continuous physical foundation termite barrier.
Pango has been certified to mandatory practice 602.1.1.1 (capillary break/vapor retarder) and 602.1.5(1-2) (termite barrier).
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Niagara®, one of our Green Certified Products partners, was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2023 WaterSense Partner of the Year, the second time the EPA has bestowed this recognition on the company in the last two years, and it’s the third time Niagara has received this award in the past decade.
Congratulations to Niagara!
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QAP Recap: Fall 2023
Home Innovation actively advocates for third-party certified, green, affordable housing by providing input for state Qualified Allocation Plan (QAPs). QAPs specify a state agency's allocation of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Most QAPs include criteria for energy efficiency and green building, and nearly 30 states specify green building certification as a requirement or point-based incentive. Read Katie's blog for an update on Home Innovation's green advocacy efforts.
Building Resilient Homes: The Ultimate Guide
Resilience has become a top concern with natural disasters becoming increasingly common and destructive. Communities looking to rebuild are focused now on creating structures that will last. Uncover the most common damages for various weather events and find out the most cost-effective ways to prevent them. Read John's blog and the HUD resilience guides to learn actionable solutions for more resilient construction.
Building Resilience: Construction Materials Testing to Prevent Wildfire Devastation
While we expect building codes to become more stringent in their requirements related to fire resilience, builders and homeowners are also becoming more focused on creating homes that will withstand natural disasters. When it comes to fire prevention and resilience, material selection is critical. Read Deanna's blog to gain understanding of the importance of laboratory fire testing.
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Home Innovation is looking for someone to assist with lab accreditation, including participation in audits, and ensure adherence with the Labs’ quality management system. The preferred candidate will have at least two years of experience in working with building codes and ASTM standards in the construction industry. | |
Customer Service and Market Research Assistant | Home Innovation seeks someone who can provide support to the Market Research Division, including its Builder and Consumer Practices Survey Program and Custom Market Research projects. | |
Get Started with NGBS Green How-to... | Contact us to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with a member of our Green Team to get started. | |
Know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green partners? Let us know. | |
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Share Your NGBS Green Program Feedback
Take this 1-minute survey and let us know what you think of our delivery of NGBS Green certification and our customer service.
Give Us Your AXIS Feedback
Complete a 1-minute NGBS Green AXIS Feedback Survey.
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As an NGBS Green Certification Program participant, you received this email to notify you of important program and service updates, as well as relevant industry news and happenings. Home Innovation Research Labs will send email notifications periodically; we encourage recipients to add this email address ([email protected]) to your approved senders list. You may unsubscribe from this notification service at any time using the link below, though please be aware that this will be the primary channel for conveying certification program changes, news, and updates to participants, and opting out of this notification service may result in missing critical developments and changes. Home Innovation Research Labs authorizes use of information contained within this email only by those participating in our NGBS Green Certification Program.
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