Green Homes and Communities

Information by State  Print version   Green Recovery Toolkit   Green for All Toolkit What's New   Sustainable Communities Initiative This new initiative outlines six new guiding "livability principles" that will be used to coordinate federal housing, transportation, and environmental protection investments. HUD, DOT, and EPA plan to make planning grants available to metropolitan areas, and create mechanisms to ensure those plans are carried out through localities. more...   EECBG Competitive Funding DOE is now accepting applications for up to $454 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants competitive funding. The competitive applications will be accepted through Grants.gov until December 14, 2009. Awards will be made in two topics areas: (1) The Retrofit Ramp-up Program and (2) General Innovation Fund for Ineligible Entities. more…   Climate Action Blueprint Climate Communities and ICLEI USA are seeking the endorsement of local elected leaders for the Empowering Local Government Climate Action Blueprint   Climate Action Map Map of mayors that signed climate protection agreement.   Weatherization Assistance Program This site provides weatherization practitioners and other energy conservation professionals with information related to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), its on-going operations, and its partnerships with stakeholders.   Department of Energy Description of Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program requirements. Solution Center provides access to webcasts, sample energy efficiency plans, policies, local ordinances, guides, journal articles, community and state websites, and other energy efficiency-related resources.   State Energy Plans Strategic Energy Plans published by state agencies that deal with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.   Berkeley FIRST A solar financing program offered by the City of Berkeley that provides property owners an opportunity to borrow money from the City’s Sustainable Energy Financing District to install solar photovoltaic electric systems with the cost to be repaid over 20 years through an annual special tax on their property tax bill. more...   Green Recovery This report demonstrates how a new Green Recovery program that spends $100 billion over two years would create 2 million new jobs, with a significant proportion in the struggling construction and manufacturing sectors. more...   DSIRE Provides information on state, federal, and utility financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, purchases of energy efficient products and systems, and construction of new energy efficient buildings. more...   HUD Awards CHDO Green NOFA Grants HUD has awarded 6 competitive HOME grants of $250,000 to PJs, for the production of energy efficient and environmentally-friendly housing units that are developed by eligible Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). Each grantee will use design and technology models that can be replicated. All units must qualify for and receive Energy Star certification by an independent Home Energy Rater (HER) upon completion more...   Building Green HOME Housing HUD has added a new web page to the HOME Tools section that provides useful information and weblinks about how to develop energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly housing that is affordable to low-income families more... Related Information   Energy Star A national program from the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment. Guide to Home Sealing   PATH A voluntary partnership between leaders of the homebuilding industry and federal agencies working to improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of new and existing homes.   LEED LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.   RESNET A national standards-making body for building energy efficiency rating systems. RESNET's HERS® Index ratings are recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry, private investors, and federal agencies for verification of building energy performance.   Benefits of Energy Efficiency to Low-Income Household Enterprise publication that outlines the benefits of energy efficiency in affordable housing, especially for low-income people.   Shrinking the Metro Carbon Footprint This report quantifies transportation and residential carbon emissions for the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.

The following resources are being provided to help find smart solutions to today's energy and environmental challenges.

• Bringing Home the Green Recovery
  Green For All and PolicyLink have prepared this User's Guide to assist local and state advocates, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and policymakers in making the best use of recovery dollars.



• Playbook for Green Building and Neighborhoods
  A web-based resource, provides strategies, tips, and tools that cities and counties can use to take immediate action on climate change through: Green building, green neighborhoods, and sustainable infrastructure.



• Green Home Guide
  Provides ideas and explains health and economic benefits of green building.



• Green Building
  EPA website contains basic information about green building and funding resources that are available at the national, state and local levels for homeowners, industry, government organizations and nonprofits.



• Green Communities Criteria
  Provides a clear, cost-effective framework for all kinds of affordable housing: new construction and rehabilitation in multifamily as well as single family buildings.



• Resources for Green Affordable Housing
  Provides a list of key resources on topics related to green building for affordable homes.



• Climate Action Handbook
  This handbook offers examples of actions that local governments can take to reduce global warming.



• Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Initiative



• State Climate Action Plans



• Seattle Resources for Local Governments
  Identifies actions being taken to address climate change and includes a sampling of state and local climate action plans from around the country.



• Cool Cities Resources
  A campaign sponsored by the Sierra Club, that encourage cities to implement cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy solutions.



• Best Practices Guide



• Additional Information