PRAISE FOR GREEN LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Fast Company Honors Enterprise, Green Communities
The Fast Company issue currently on newsstands names Green Communities® Senior Director Dana Bourland as one of the nation's most influential women activists in technology. Bourland leads Enterprise's five-year, $555 million commitment to build more than 8,500 healthy, efficient homes for low-income people and make environmentally sustainable development the mainstream in the affordable housing industry. She helped create the Green Communities Offset Fund, which backs design and construction innovations that yield the cleanest, most energy-efficient homes.

The nod to Bourland's efforts is Enterprise's second appearance in the popular business magazine in four months. Last December, Enterprise was named "Social Enterprise of the Year" for its work to bring the benefits of green affordable homes to low-income families through policy advocacy, financing innovation and technical assistance. To read the entire story, click here.

BILL PROVIDES BILLIONS FOR GREEN RETROFITS
Economic Recovery Plan Passed; More Green Funds Available
The economic recovery bill recently signed into law by President Obama provides unprecedented funding for building energy retrofits. Much of this funding will be available to support green affordable housing and community revitalization. Most of the money will be provided through a range of new and existing federal programs administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In many cases, additional guidance will also be required to specify how funds can be used and applicaable criteria (e.g., energy performance standards). The federal agencies will start developing those rules right away to be able to commit funds by the fall, if not sooner. Read the Enterprise summary for more.

CITY GRANTED $3.75 MILLION FOR GREEN HOUSES
Bank of America and Enterprise Expand Partnership
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined executives from Bank of America, leaders from Enterprise and the city's affordable housing community to announce a three-year, $3.75 million grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. This extraordinary contribution will allow Enterprise to advance community development efforts in 12 cities and expand its Green Communities initiative.

At the event, Enterprise honored Citizens Housing Corporation and the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation for their leadership in building environmentally sustainable homes for low-income communities in the city. "Enterprise Community Partners is a pioneer," said Janet Lamkin, president, Bank of America California.

FREE WEBINARS ANNOUNCED
Green Communities Engaging Your Energy Consultant in a Whole-Building Analysis
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
"Energy consultant" can mean different things to different people. Understanding the potential range of services can help developers select an energy consultant matching the needs of building projects. This session focuses on the role of energy consultants in the design of high-performance buildings. It explains the role of building modeling in a whole-building energy analysis and makes the distinction between meeting a pre-determined set of energy options versus adopting a design process that is specific to the building type in a particular climate.

For information, registration or to view archived webinars: Live online events.

OFFSETTING 12,000 TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS
Enterprise Helps Make USGBC's Conference Carbon Neutral
This winter's U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference was carbon neutral thanks to a commitment from Enterprise's Green Communities Offset Fund. The fund supported the creation of hundreds of green affordable homes through its purchase of nearly 12,000 tons of verified carbon dioxide reductions - enough to offset the huge attendance at Greenbuild. Enterprise was also recognized at the conference as a finalist for the 2009 Earth Awards for its leadership in joining CTG Energetics, JPMorgan Chase and Terrapin Bright Green to create a framework for community-based carbon offsets.

NEW TOOL FOR GREEN HOME DEVELOPMENT
Enterprise Helps Make USGBC's Conference Carbon Neutral
"Green Single Family Rehabilitation Specifications" is the latest tool to help affordable housing professionals go green on a cost-effective, environmentally rigorous basis. The specifications enable construction professionals to meet the Green Communities Criteria, with appropriate adjustments for local climate and housing stock. Enterprise is available to work with interested parties on training and technical assistance to implement the specifications at the local level.

GREEN PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Antonatl Condominiums in Washington, D.C.
Twelve families will be moving into completely renovated, green homes in the historic Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The condominiums, which feature green updates on a broader scale than more moderate renovations, are in a refurbished four-story building, and are available for sale at an affordable rate. Most buyers are expected to be Salvadoran members of the community, so the development was named for Prince Antonatl, a national warrior-hero of El Salvador. See many of the green features, here.