- Application Process
- Eligible Uses
- Eligible Applicants
- Target Projects
- Grant Application Review and Approval Process
- Disbursement of Grants Funds
- Limits on Grant Amounts
- Application
Application Process
Each Letter of Inquiry (LOI) must include the following information:
1) an introduction to the green development project seeking grant assistance (including the location, housing type, construction type, number of affordable units, number of total units, and population served)
2) background on the applicant including experience of the development team completing green projects
3) a statement of how the grant award would be used
4) a brief discussion of other funding sources for the project
5) a summary of how the project goals align with the Green Communities Criteria (PDF, 1MB)
The LOI is not to exceed four (4) pages and should be submitted along with the attached Exhibit A: Budget Worksheet and Narrative and the Green Communities Criteria Checklist. Please complete the LOI and Exhibit A and Checklist and send electronically by COB on October 23, 2009 to greencommunities@enterprisecommunity.org. The LOI should be written and signed on official letterhead and include “Letter of Inquiry” in the subject line of the email submission.
All applicants who submit an LOI will receive an email notification within 2-3 weeks of the LOI deadline regarding their status in the review process. Approximately 30 organizations will be selected from the LOI round and invited to complete a full online application.
Once completed applications are submitted, they will be reviewed by our grant review committee. At this stage, applicants may be contacted to provide additional project related information. Upon review, applicants will be notified that the grant has been approved, denied, deferred, or approved with conditions. Approved applicants will then execute a grant agreement with Enterprise.
Funds may be used for:
- Planning expenses related to the integrated design process including the additional costs of architectural work, charrette, engineering, site surveys, analysis of energy use, and environmental reviews.
- Green construction items.
- Costs of construction review and performance testing.
- Energy Services costs.
- Costs of architect's certification that Green Communities Criteria have been met, as well as costs of any other third-party assistance in certifying a development.
- Third-party costs of establishing systems and tools for property management and resident education, to maximize the benefits of the green measures once the property is operating.
Because funds are limited, Enterprise will reserve the right to negotiate with grant applicants to determine the highest and best use of Green Communities grants in a specific project. Line-item cost estimates must be approved by Enterprise.
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- Open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits; public housing authorities; tribally designated housing entities; for-profit entities; and for-profit entities participating through joint ventures with qualified organizations.
- The applicant and the development team must demonstrate their qualifications to successfully carry out the proposed development.
- Developments that involve new construction of residential units or rehabilitation at an estimated cost of more than $3,000 per unit.
- Developments subject to firm site control.
- Rental housing developments reserved for renters with incomes at or below 60 percent of area median income.
- Homeownership developments that will be sold to buyers with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income.
- Developments in the working drawing or construction stages may be considered.
- Priority is given to the following projects:
- Single family and multi-family rehabilitation
- Rental and for-sale developments that are scheduled to close and begin construction within the next 6-9 months.
- Rental housing developments that have allocations under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
- Rental housing assisted by the Initiative must be permanent housing, not transitional or emergency shelter.
- The sponsor must commit to meeting the Green Communities Criteria and providing Enterprise with certification that the Criteria have been met; certifications will be made primarily by the project architect and engineer.
- In general, the grant amount will range from $20,000 to $75,000 per project.
- The grant funds may be used in ways that benefit the entire project, including homes and apartments that are not rented or sold to qualified low-income households.
- The portion of the grant to be used for planning costs may not exceed $25,000.
- An applicant may apply for and be awarded a grant for both planning and "construction, but the construction portion of grants will be automatically cancelled if the project does not meet the Green Communities Criteria at the construction contract stage.
There are several steps involved in applying for a Green Communities Grant. Applicants are required to download the Green Communities Criteria prior to applying for grant funds. This is a very important step as the applicant must provide detailed information as to how the development intends to satisfy the Green Communities Criteria (Exhibit B) at the application stage.
Once received, applications are reviewed by our grant review committee. At this stage, applicants may be contacted to provide additional project related information. Upon review, applicants will be notified that the grant has been approved, denied, deferred, or approved with conditions. Approved applicants will then execute a grant agreement with Enterprise.
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In order to request disbursement of grant funds, grantees must submit the following documents to Enterprise:
- Grant Disbursement Request Form (within grant agreement) signed by an authorized representative of the Grantee.
- A Progress Report narrative detailing the status of development.
- A copy of the project’s Green Development Plan. For more information, please review Green Communities Criteria Item 1-1.
- For Construction Grant Funds only, Certification of Satisfying Green Communities Criteria. The certification must be completed and signed by the project design team certifying that the that the Green Communities Criteria have been satisfied.
- Results of performance testing conducted both during and post-construction that verify the project meets the Green Communities energy performance requirements appropriate for the building type.
Please be sure to allow 90 business days to process payment of grant funds.
