Presented by Emily Mitchell, Enterprise Community PartnersChicago Symposium | August 7- 8, 2008

What’s New with Green Rating Systems

The Green Communities Criteria represent:

• an evolving technical tool for developers and project team members • the qualification requirements for Enterprise’s Green Communities program• a policy mechanism that enables government agencies to advance green affordable housing through program administration and/or legislation

1. Integrated Design Process

2. Site, Location and Neighborhood Fabric

3. Site Improvement

4. Water Conservation

5. Energy Conservation

6. Materials and Resources

7. Healthy Living Environment

8. Operations and Management

Green Communities Framework

Technical Tool

Collaboration with USGBC

2008 updates to criteria Common language, alignment with updated national standards Cross-references the analogous LEED for Homes measure

Trainings Pre-Greenbuild affordable housing session LEED for Homes training for Enterprise staff

Technical Tool

Technical Tool

Alignment with ENERGY STAR2008 criteria 5.1 Efficient Energy Use 5.2 Energy Star Appliances 5.3 Efficient Lighting – Interior (Energy Star ALP) Healthy Living Environments pulls from EPA’s IAP

Future plans Projects participating in Energy Star Multifamily pilot Formalizing Energy Star certification

Technical Tool

Best Practice: Integrated design process begins with project realities, objectives

1) Get the Facts• Site constraints / advantages• Pro forma and range of cost options• Neighborhood and community

2) Identify the Needs• The market and project differentiation• Family and place

3) Establish development goals and desired outcomes for the project• Financial fitness• Community wellbeing• Environmental health

Technical Tool

client

builder architect

Typical Building Team

Technical Tool

client

builder architect

Integrated Design Building Team

Technical Tool

Best Practice: Strong design teams lead to better results

1) Inclusion of key disciplines and stakeholders is critical• Must include bldg maintenance staff• Involve community stakeholders early on, and consider them

part of design team• Engage local officials and building inspectors

2) Plans and/or specifications must reflect green building criteria

Advanced Energy assessment: • Criteria found in the plans and specifications were found in

the buildings 95% of the time.• Criteria NOT found in the plans or specifications were

found in the buildings 37% of the time.

Technical Tool

Programmatic Elements

Raising the bar – increased number of optional pts required

Distinguishing between technical reqts for substantial and moderate rehab, but encouraging both

Encouraging dual or multiple certifications if deemed appropriate by project team

Qualification Reqts

Best Practice: Development of tools and processes to better integrate and evaluate criteria

1) Hybrid checklists that crosswalk multiple program criteria

• Include unique measures and eliminate duplicative ones

2) Project management tools • Emphasize quality assurance protocols

3) Evaluation is only way to ensure performance

• Establish rater capacity in-house

Qualification Reqts

Viking TerraceWorthington, MN

Opportunity HousingDayton, OH

Policy Mechanism

Best Practice: Implement a program that works for govt agencies, developers alike

1) Build consensus

2) Review application in other jurisdictions

3) Select appropriate program and review mechanisms for the local capacity / conditions

Policy Mechanism

For more information:

Green CommunitiesEnterprise Community Partners410.715.7433greencommunities@enterprisecommunity.orgwww.greencommunitiesonline.org