The First 20 represent a range of developers from across the United States.

This elite designation recognizes developers who are moving toward or achieving zero-energy homes. Green Communities Plus is available to affordable housing teams making an extra effort to reduce emissions. Resilience requirements that prepare homes for local climate hazardsĪ new tier of the 2020 Criteria goes a step above the standard certification.Water standards that promote efficiency and protect against lead poisoning.Healthy living practices such as ample ventilation and healing-centered design.A path to zero energy with strategies to help all developments move closer to zero emissions.Integrative design approaches that give residents a voice in the design process.Dual certification is made possible by our partnership with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).įive themes are central to the 2020 Criteria: Developers who achieve 2020 certification also receive WELL certification. The 2020 Green Communities Criteria are the newest version of the award-winning standards. And 30 states require or encourage developers seeking affordable housing funding to follow the Green Communities Criteria. To date, almost 130,000 affordable homes nationwide are Green Communities certified. And to achieving economic and environmental justice.Įnterprise Green Communities certification is available to any housing development in the United States with affordable homes.

Healthy, efficient green affordable homes are key to advancing racial equity. BIPOC communities also face a greater risk of living near brownfields and other toxic spaces and industries.

Promote the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria and certificationĪdvancing Racial Equity through Green Buildingīlack, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are more likely to live in unhealthy homes that lack access to transit and other resources.

Engage federal, state and local policymakers on green affordable housing development.

Partner with researchers to improve the health and quality of indoor environments.

Provide grants and technical assistance to increase high-quality affordable housing development.

To scale green building practices across our industry, we: We collaborate with developers, investors, builders, policymakers, health care practitioners and other stakeholders. What hasn’t shifted is our focus on residents’ health and well-being. Launched in 2004, the comprehensive program has evolved to address the growing threats of our changing climate. Enterprise Green Communities is the only national green building program created with and for the affordable housing sector.

Planning and urban design handbook