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NEWS

2024 NGBS Draft Standard Available for Public Comment, Deadline October 2^ND

The 45-day public comment period for the 2024 NGBS Draft Standard is now open. Comments are accepted through October 2, 2023. NGBS Green Partners are encouraged to review the draft standard and submit feedback. Comments are accepted on marked changes and sections directly affected by those changes, as well as all point values. Important! Only areas that receive public comments will receive additional review through the revision cycle and will be available for comment during subsequent public comment periods.

View the draft standard and submit comments here.

New Member of the NGBS Advisory Group - Introducing Jon Showalter

Jon Showalter, Chief Operations Officer and VP of Homes By Dickerson, has been appointed as a new member of the NGBS Green Advisory Committee. Jon is influential in the green building industry, building efficient, high-performing homes in the Raleigh, NC area. His leadership within his local community and his significant contributions to the industry make him an ideal fit for the NGBS Green Advisory Group.

Events & Office Hours

Upcoming Events

Sept 19: NGBS Office Hours | 2-3pm (Eastern) | Virtual | Open forum
Sept 21: HUD GRRP Program Tech Assistance Webinar | 2pm (Eastern)
Sept 22-24: RaterFest | Empire, CO
Sept 25: NH public forum for 2025-2026 QAP | 1pm
Sept 25-26: WELL Summit |Washington, DC
Sept 26-29: Greenbuild | Washington, DC
Oct 3: NGBS Office Hours | 2-3pm (Eastern) | Virtual | Open forum
Oct 2-3: BUILT National Multi-Housing Summit | Nashville, TN
Nov 15-17: RESNET Conference | San Diego, CA

NGBS Green Program Updates

AXIS Invoicing Now Easier!

Several updates that will streamline payment of NGBS Green certification fees were recently released.

During registration, Verifiers can now specify email addresses for all individuals to be included on emailed invoices.
Invoices can now be more easily shared by email, and the recipient receives a PDF copy of the invoice.

AXIS Client Consolidation

The One Client Solution was released over Labor Day Weekend without any discernible issues. This update consolidated builder/developer/owner/architect companies into a single "Builder/Client" company type (all company associations were preserved as part of this process).

NGBS Green PRO

Calling All Industry Professionals!

Earn your NGBS Green PRO professional designation to validate your expertise in green design, construction, and building certification.

Training for the designation – consisting of four self-paced modules, each with its own mastery check – is live and available 24/7.

AIA Credit: 1LU Elective per module; 4 LU Electives for entire course

ICC Credit: 0.1 CEU for each module; 0.4 CEU for entire course

Are you a student interested in green building?

Learn More & Register

Congratulations to our latest Green PROs!

Eric Henry, President, Spartan Homes
Jimmy Tereyla, Owner & President, JT Custom Builders
Michael Steele, TREI Real Estate
Kyle Kirk, Partner Engineering and Science

NGBS Green PRO Directory

All NGBS Green PROs are now featured on our website. See the directory.

Green Certified Product Spotlight

Weyerhaeuser NextPhase^® Site Solutions

NextPhase® Site Solutions from Weyerhaeuser is designed to help meet builder needs with a comprehensive package of structural building products, services, software, fabrication equipment and marketing support. Use of NextPhase® can satisfy points under 601.4 Framing and Structural Plans and 601.5(1-3) Prefabricated Components.

Learn More

To browse all NGBS Green Certified products, visit the online directory.

Policy & Incentives

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY!

Seek HUD GRRP Funding with NGBS Green

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.

HUD CORRECTION! NGBS Green and CDBG-DR Funding

HUD provides flexible Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help cities, counties, and states to recover from Presidentially declared disasters. HUD's funding requirements for rebuilding or replacing housing reference several energy efficiency green building certifications. In a 2021 funding notice, HUD replaced the reference to "NGBS" with "NGBS Green+ RESILIENCE," which placed NGBS Green at a disadvantage when compared to the other listed programs. In one-on-one communication with HUD staff, they have indicated that they have approved NGBS Green Certification as an acceptable option to receive funding. If you encounter any issues in the states where you work, please contact us.

QAP Updates

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.

ARIZONA: The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) released their draft 2024-2025 QAP. Projects can earn 10 points for certifying to one of the following green building certifications: NGBS Green (Silver or higher); LEED (Silver or higher), or 2020 Enterprise Green Communities.

Home Innovation praised ADOH for including third-party green building certifications. We also recommended that ADOH incentivize the achievement of third-party water efficiency ratings; specifically by adding a Water Efficiency section to the 2024-2025 QAP where buildings can earn points for pursuing a Water Rating Index (WRI) score.

CONNECTICUT: The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority released their final 2024-2025 QAP. The QAP offers 2 competitive points to projects certifying to NGBS Green (Gold level); Enterprise Green Communities 2020; or LEED (Gold). Projects can earn 3 points for certifying to higher-level certifications, namely NGBS Green Emerald; LEED Platinum; or Living Building Challenge Core Ready.

GEORGIA: The Georgia Department of Community Affairs released their draft 2024-2025 QAP. The draft QAP requires projects to obtain a green building certification to one of the following recognized programs: NGBS Green; EarthCraft; Enterprise Green Communities; or LEED for Homes. The 2024-2025 draft QAP removed Green Globes Certification as an option for this requirement.

MICHIGAN: The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) released their final 2024-2025 QAP. MSHDA’s Green Policy requires all projects to receive one of the following third-party green building certifications: NGBS Green; LEED; or EGC. Projects may earn additional points for receiving an additional higher level of certification, to one of the following: NGBS Green+ NET ZERO ENERGY; Enterprise Green Communities Plus; LEED Zero Energy, or PHIUS+.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: New Hampshire Housing is holding a public forum to seek feedback for the 2025-2026 QAP. The public forum will be held on September 25th at 1pm virtually and at their office location. The 2023-2024 QAP awards 5 points for Passive House and Living Futures Net Zero certifications. Two points are available for NGBS Green (Gold level), LEED (Gold), or Enterprise Green Communities certifications. NGBS Green Partners are encouraged to praise New Hampshire Housing for their recognition of credible, third-party green certifications.

NEW MEXICO: The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) released their draft 2024 QAP. The draft 2024 QAP does not recognize any third-party green building programs.

Home Innovation requested that MFA expand its Property Standards requirements to incentivize or require that funded projects certify to a comprehensive green building or water efficiency rating program, specifically, recognizing the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and the embedded Water Rating Index (WRI).

OHIO: The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) released their draft 2024-2025 QAP. The current QAP requires projects to certify to one of the following green building certifications: NGBS Green (Silver or higher), LEED (Silver or higher), or 2020 Enterprise Green Communities. The draft 2024-2025 added Green Globes Certification and PHIUS Core Certification as additional options to this "Green Certification" section requirement.

Home Innovation praised OHFA for requiring green building certifications for all new construction projects and specifically including NGBS Green. Home Innovation also recommended that the Green Globes certification option be paired with additional requirements so that the option is on-par with the other residential green building programs that require mid-construction inspections and performance testing. We also recommended that the PHIUS Core option be removed from the Green Standards list as a mandatory requirement and instead be treated as a competitive point opportunity.

TENNESSEE: The Tennessee Housing Development Agency published their draft 2024 QAP. They held a virtual public hearing on August 30th and accepted written comments in early September. The current QAP and draft 2024 QAP do not recognize any third-party green building programs.

Home Innovation submitted comments requesting that the agency include green building programs in the QAP. HI staff also made oral comments during the public hearing to convey the value of including third-party green building programs.

Note: Home Innovation’s NGBS Green Scoring Tools are only authorized for purposes of certification. We ask that partners not use the scoring tool to demonstrate achievement of QAP criteria when NGBS Green certification is not being pursued. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us.

Resources

Latest Blog Posts

Head "Back to School" with Green Building Trainings

As we move toward decarbonization and resilience, our homes and buildings will need to be reimagined to meet current and future needs. The industry needs a legion of young professionals who are equipped with passion and expertise in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resilient construction techniques. As academics head back into the classroom, now is an ideal time to recommit to professional development.

Read Cindy's blog to learn more.

Comparing Land Development Certifications: NGBS Green vs. LEED ND

The NGBS Green Land Development Certification is a robust and rigorous rating system that is comparable to that of LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) with some key advantages. While the rating systems are not identical, there is a significant overlap between the two programs.

Read Damiyen's blog for his insight on how the two rating systems compare.

5 NGBS Practices to Beat the Summer Heat

The summer of 2023 has marked the hottest temperatures on record. To stay cool, many households have their air conditioners running at full blast, resulting in high energy bills.

Read Katie's blog highlighting five practices in the 2020 NGBS that can help manage home cooling.

Sizing Up Comfort: The Art & Science of Proper HVAC Equipment Sizing

When it comes to achieving optimal comfort and energy efficiency in a home or apartment, proper sizing of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) equipment plays a pivotal role. Just like Goldilocks searching for the perfect bowl of porridge, getting the sizing just right can ensure that an HVAC system performs at its best, providing consistent comfort and saving you money in the long run.

Read Michelle's blog to learn about the goal and calculations involved in HVAC sizing.

Latest NGBS Green Case Study: Calle Ventoso

A collaborative effort between owner, builder, and sustainability contractor, this home was the culmination of lessons learned by the homeowners from their previous experience with properties bought, constructed, and renovated. Early in the planning and design phase, the team collaborated on ways to optimize the home, marrying the aesthetic the owners desired with the sustainability and performance they did not want to sacrifice. The stunning result is an eloquently-designed home so performance-driven that it earned Emerald level NGBS Green Certification and a Water Rating Index (WRI) certification of 34. This home uses nearly 70% less water than similar properties and also received the New Mexico Sustainable Housing credit and the federal solar tax credit. Read the full case study.

Career Opportunities

Senior Lab Test Engineer

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.

Apply Now

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.

Apply Now

Become an NGBS Green PRO, Field Rep, or Accredited Verifier!

Download the latest version of the NGBS Green Verification Candidate's Handbook for training information, accreditation use, and capabilities for each designation. Contact Us with any questions.

Get Started with NGBS Green How-to...

Continuing Education

If you or a client are interested in scheduling virtual or in-person training on the 2020 NGBS, contact us about scheduling a Lunch-n-Learn! We have AIA and ICC-approved programs that we'd be happy to deliver.

Know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green partners? Let us know.

tell us what you think!

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.

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 (InsiderUpdate-noreply@HomeInnovation.com) 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.

NGBS Green Certification is administered by Home Innovation Research Labs.

Weyerhaeuser NextPhase® Site Solutions

Weyerhaeuser NextPhase^® Site Solutions