The Green Communities Criteria are the only national standard for healthy, efficient, environmentally friendly affordable homes and apartments. The Criteria were specifically designed to maximize the health, economic and environmental benefits of sustainable development for low-income people on a cost-effective basis for developers.
The Criteria were developed by Enterprise, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Institute of Architects, the American Planning Association, the National Center for Healthy Housing, Southface, Global Green USA, the Center for Maximum Potential Building Solutions and experts associated with the US Green Building Council.
The Criteria apply to new construction and rehabilitation and to multifamily buildings as well as single family homes. The Green Communities Criteria incorporate both smart site planning and green building features. The Criteria include a balance of required items that are common sense anywhere in the country and a range of optional items to allow for local flexibility and encourage deeper environmental benefit.
Developments that incorporate the Green Communities Criteria area healthier, more energy and water efficient and more environmentally responsible than conventional developments. The Green Communities Criteria are aligned with the criteria of U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes pilot.
There are more than 180 Green Communities developments with more than 8,000 affordable units in various stages of development in 23 states. These include new construction, rehab and preservation developments; urban, small town and rural developments; and developments serving families, the elderly and people with special needs. Initial analysis indicates that total development costs can be 2 percent to 4 percent higher on average for developments that meet Green Communities Criteria compared to projects that do not deliver the same health, economic and environmental benefits.
The Green Communities Criteria are the basis for policymakers at all levels of government committed to more environmentally responsible housing and community development policies for low-income people. More than 20 states and cities have use the criteria to ensure their housing programs support healthier, more energy efficient and more environmentally responsible development
