As green building has gained popularity in the last two decades, professional and environmental groups, homebuilder associations, industry leaders, and federal, state, and local government agencies throughout the country have organized green building programs. Program focuses can vary—some deal with research and design innovations while others concentrate on disseminating information about green building practices and advocating adoption by mainstream builders. Some green building programs target certain types of construction projects, such as affordable housing, schools, and healthcare facilities, providing advice about site selection, design and materials, and even funding options.
The following is a snapshot of the green building programs that focus on residential projects.
LEED® for Homes
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED Green Building Rating System in 1998; today it’s the nationally accepted benchmark for high-performance green building. Builders who attain LEED certification also will qualify for government incentives. Learn more
Building America
Building America is a private/public partnership sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders with the DOE’s technical capabilities. Under the program, systems-engineering research is conducted to develop energy-efficient solutions for new and existing housing that can be implemented by production homebuilders. Building America teams provide tools and guidance to make it easier for builders to go green. Learn more
The Green Communities™ Program
Green Communities is a 5-year, $555 million initiative to create more than 8,500 homes that deliver health, economic, and environmental benefits to low-income families and communities. Green Communities is the first national green building program focused entirely on affordable housing. Green Communities also offers grants, loans, tax-credit equity, training, and technical assistance to developers and builders. Learn more
The Green Building Initiative™
The Green Building Initiative’s (GBI) mission is to accelerate the adoption of practical, credible building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally sustainable homes and commercial buildings. To this end, GBI introduced Green Globes™, an online environmental assessment and rating tool that offers an interactive, flexible, and affordable approach to environmental design. Learn more
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is a voluntary partnership between leaders of the homebuilding, product manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries, and representatives of federal agencies concerned with housing. Managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), PATH staff members provide expertise in various construction systems, housing issues, and technology policies to improve new and existing homes. Find more information at www.pathnet.org.
The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment
The American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment (AIA/COTE) works to advance, disseminate, and advocate—to the profession, the building industry, the academy, and the public—design practices that integrate constructed and natural systems and enhance the design quality and environmental performance of homes and other buildings. The AIA has 58 state and local COTE chapters throughout the U.S. Find more information at www.aia.org.
