State HFA/QAP Update  Enterprise’s annual study of state Qualified Allocation Plans’ (QAPs) incorporation of Green policies to advance smart, sustainable development entitled:  Greener Policies, Smarter Plans: How States are Using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to Advance Healthy, Efficient, and Environmentally Sound Homes by James Tassos

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d)  The study includes a comprehensive review of each state’s 2007 QAP with a focus on allocation policies that specifically promote:  Energy efficiency  Sustainable site selection  Resource conservation  Enhanced indoor air quality  Other sustainable development practices.

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d)  Overall, state housing agencies continue to be at the forefront of more environmentally sustainable affordable homes through their administration of the LIHTC and other programs  All states now promote sustainable development in some fashion through their QAPs.  More than a dozen directly reference Enterprise’s Green Communities Criteria or incorporate policies substantially based on it.

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d)  In 2007, 42 states employed “threshold criteria”— mandatory design, construction, or energy standards or other program requirements—that address sustainable development.  Forty-eight states encourage green development using selection criteria incentives (point scoring).  Thirty-nine states have made significant strides in this area during the past two years.

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d)  In 2007, 29 states implemented notable new policies or substantially revised policies encouraging sustainable development since the previous year’s QAP: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d)  The early look at 2008 QAPs indicates more progress  In virtually every case the green elements in combination constitute a significant policy priority for the state.  Conclusion: Developers competing for LIHTCs in many states will need to seriously consider achieving a high standard of sustainability to be in the best position to receive LIHTC allocations.

State HFA/QAP Update (cont’d) The QAP study is available at:

Understanding New LEED Standards LEED is a national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings developed by US Green Building Council Ratings based on points scored in various categories Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Understanding New LEED Standards Early LEED programs focused on new construction of commercial and institutional buildings LEED For Homes Went Live in January 2008 LEED For Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) is in pilot phase

Green Communities Criteria Tailored to green affordable housing development Went live in 2004

LEED For Homes Framework For single family homes and multifamily buildings up to 4 stories New construction

Urban, Suburban, Rural New Construction Rehabilitation Moderate Rehabilitation Adaptive Re-use Single-family Detached Single-family Attached Multi-family high-,mid-,and low-rise Green Communities Framework

LEED For Homes Criteria Innovation and Design Process Location and Linkages Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and Atmosphere Materials and Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Awareness and Education

1. Integrated Design Process 2. Location and Neighborhood Fabric 3. Site 4. Water Conservation 5. Energy Conservation 6. Materials and Resources 7. Healthy Living Environment 8. Operations and Management Green Communities Criteria

Comparing LEED For Homes and Green Communities In general, LEED For Homes Silver=Green Communities Certified Cross-certification eligibility is under development between USGBC and Enterprise Energy efficiency criteria for both programs is based on Energy Star Green Communities is tailored to affordable housing, has a broader framework

LEED-ND Under development by USGBC, NRDC, and Congress for the New Urbanism National standards for neighborhood location and design Based on principles of smart growth, new urbanism, and green building Emphasizes design elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood, and relate the neighborhood to its landscape and region

LEED-ND cont’d Projects in the program can be whole neighborhoods, portions of neighborhoods, or multiple neighborhoods Overall goal is to improve land-use patterns and neighborhood design Pilot is currently closed to new projects See for rating guide, etc.