Apply by October 7TH - NAHB Awards Program | |
NAHB has launched their 2024 Industry Awards program, which highlights the best and brightest in residential construction across a variety of categories.
This year's Best in American Living Awards include the following green categories:
- Green Detached or Attached Home, Built for Sale
- Green One-of-a-Kind Custom Home
- Green Entire Home Remodel
- Green Community
Apply today!
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VERIFIERS NEEDED! Apply Today | |
Home Innovation Seeks New Verifier Candidates!
The NGBS Green certification program seeks new Verifiers to support the program's continued growth. If you are a green building professional - especially in Louisiana, Maryland, Utah, and the City of Chicago - interested in offering NGBS Green verification services, learn more here.
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We were alerted of a HUD Rent Calculator tool that only recognizes LEED and ENERGY STAR and does not include NGBS Green and other HUD-recognized certifications. The person that alerted us of the issue indicated that their client considered switching from NGBS to LEED, as the tool gave the impression that HUD did not endorse NGBS Green certification.
We have contacted HUD and requested the following revisions, in order of preference:
- List choices as: a) ENERGY STAR, b) NGBS, c) Green Communities, d) Other green programs (that gets the programs that HUD recognizes in order of most used for housing)
- List a) ENERGY STAR AND b) Other green building certifications, such as NGBS, Green Communities, LEED, Green Globes – that includes almost everyone without prejudice and saves space
- List every program HUD recognizes
Please email Michelle if you have questions or feedback. As soon as we hear a resolution/final response, we will report back.
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Maryland Department of Environment to Host Series of Outreach Sessions about Building Decarbonization Regulation | |
The Maryland Department of Environment will hold a series of public outreach sessions on new regulations requiring large buildings (35,000 sq ft and larger) to achieve net zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The proposed Building Energy Performance Standards, required by the Climate Solution Now Act of 2022, sets interim standards for the reduction of net direct greenhouse gas emissions and would guide Maryland’s clean energy transition.
Through a series of virtual public meetings, staff will explain the proposed regulations and answer questions.
- August 6th, 7-8PM ET – How to Get Started: Decarbonizing Large Buildings
- August 13th, 7-8PM ET – Dr. Decarb Answers Questions About Building Standards
- August 22nd, 7-8PM ET – Clean Buildings for All: Leaving No One Behind
- September 10th, 1-2PM – Benchmarking and Reporting
Learn more and register.
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Property Conversion Legislation Introduced in Congress | House Ways and Means Committee Members Mike Carey (R-OH) and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 9002), which would create a market-based tax incentive for converting older commercial buildings to residential use. This bill would create a new and temporary 20% tax credit for qualified property conversion expenditures, modeled after the historic rehabilitation credit. The total tax credit authority would be limited to $15 billion, allocated by state housing finance agencies based on feasibility and impact. | |
The federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program requires each state agency that allocates tax credits, generally called a housing finance agency, to have a Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP sets out the state's eligibility priorities and criteria for awarding federal tax credits to housing properties. | |
COLORADO: Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) published the 1ST Draft 2025-2026 QAP, as well as a Summary of Changes and Presentation. A QAP hearing will be held virtually via Zoom on August 14TH, from 10AM-11AM MT, and written comments are accepted through August 30TH here. The draft QAP would require all projects to certify to the NGBS, 2020 Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED v4.1. EV-ready parking spaces and post-construction energy use intensity reporting are also required. NGBS Green Partners are encouraged to express support for CHFA's recognition of third-party green building programs. For help with verbal or written comments, contact us. | |
IOWA: the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) published the Draft 2025 QAP. While a preview document included a Basis Boost for Enterprise Green Communities certification, no references to green building programs were included in the Draft QAP. The QAP would award 2 points for compliance with Iowa Green Streets. HI expressed disappointment and encouraged IFA to consider other green building incentives or requirements in the future. | |
MISSOURI: The Missouri 2025 QAP was approved by the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) on July 12TH. The QAP requires new construction projects to "utilize sustainable building techniques and materials to meet the current standards" of the NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED. HI praised Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) for highlighting sustainable building techniques and requested that MHDC require third-party certification rather than a design professional's assertion of compliance. Contact us to view our comments. | |
OHIO: The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) released the first draft of a Technical Amendment to the 2025 9% QAP. See here for the redlined version. They are accepting comments on the draft amendment through August 1st at 5:00 p.m. ET. Comments may be submitted to QAP@ohiohome.org. | |
OKLAHOMA: The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency released an initial draft of the 2025 QAP. They are accepting comments regarding the first draft through August 2nd at 12pm CT via an online discussion forum. A second draft will be released on August 9th with a second public comment period. The second round of comments will close August 21st at 5pm CT. Furthermore, Oklahoma Housing is holding a Formal Public Input Session for the 2025 Draft QAP on August 21st from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. CT at the OHFA office. See the notice for more information. Currently, the QAP would award 3 to 10 points based on the project’s HERS Score. | |
SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina Housing released their 2025 draft QAP. In Appendix C1, projects can earn five points under the "Sustainable Buildings" section for earning one of the following green building certifications: NGBS Green, EarthCraft, Enterprise Green Communities, CHiP HOME, or LEED for Homes. SC Housing is accepting comments through July 29th. Comments may be submitted to taxcreditquestions@schousing.com. | |
NGBS Green Product Spotlight | |
Patriot Timber IronPly® Premium Underlayment | |
IronPly® Premium Plywood Underlayment provides exceptional value and proven performance in a hardwood plywood premium underlayment. IronPly has been certified as a biobased product (606.1(1-2)). | | |
See the full directory of all NGBS Green PROs featured on our website. | |
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Welcome Green PROs!
Congratulations to Joe Citrano, PEG, and Keith Jefferson, The Performance Point, for earning the NGBS Green PRO designation!
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About NGBS Green PRO
Earn your NGBS Green PRO professional designation to validate your expertise in green design, construction, and building certification.
Successfully earning the NGBS Green PRO designation demonstrates advanced understanding of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard and the NGBS Green certification program.
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Bringing NGBS Green PRO to the Classroom
We have established a streamlined and productive process for university instructors to track student activity via our learning management system.
To find out more or offer NGBS Green PRO to a class or organization that you're involved with, contact Joanne.
Are you a student interested in green building?
Register with your ".edu" email address and use the discount code NGBSStudentEDU to reduce the course fee.
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Location: Phoenix, Ariz.
Developer: Erick Dehority, Advanced Heating & Cooling
Verifier: Stephen Mogowski and Kevin Wiscombe, Desert Skies Energy
The M at Shadow Mountain is an upscale multifamily development of 29 buildings with a mix of one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartments in Phoenix. All buildings within the community earned Bronze-level NGBS Green certification in December 2023. When two of the project’s 29 buildings missed the mandatory pre-drywall inspection, the project team followed the NGBS Green Administrative Appeals process to achieve green certification. “In the end, this project earned NGBS Green certification, but we prefer early involvement in the design and construction process…For this project, we were sure that the buildings would earn NGBS Green Certification due to the team’s thorough photo library, which includes flashing and insulation photos. The AA process adds work and costs with extra QA required. Preparing compliance documents took time but was necessary to satisfy the appeal,” said Stephen Mogowski, NGBS Green Master Verifier.
Read more in our case study.
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The SEC Climate Disclosure Rule: Why it Matters
On March 6, 2024, the SEC adopted its final climate disclosure rule which reflects the evolving intersection of business, finance, and sustainability. Why are the new SEC rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures important? Learn more.
NGBS Chapter 10: A Deep Dive
Green certified homes are designed to optimize performance and energy efficiency. Unfortunately, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes a large discrepancy between a building's energy performance as designed and the actual performance when monitored during the building’s operation and occupancy. Continue reading.
The Builders', Developers', and Owner's Guide to the SEC Climate Disclosure Rule
The SEC climate disclosure rule is a significant step towards integrating climate-related considerations into mainstream financial decision-making. It serves to enhance transparency, mitigate financial risks, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and align U.S. standards with global best practices. Read more.
Building Environmental Performance Standards (BEPS) - What You Need to Know
The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation towards sustainability and energy efficiency. With a growing focus on reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and creating healthier living environments, Building Environmental Performance Standards (BEPS) have emerged as important guidelines, and in some jurisdictions, mandates, for builders and developers. Find out more.
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Join Our Team - We're Hiring! | |
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Home Innovation Research Labs seeks applicants for the following role with NGBS Green:
NGBS Green Associate [Full-Time]
This role is focused on supporting the NGBS Green certification program and helping drive new green products and services to the residential building industry. The Green Building Associate will report to the V.P. Sustainability and have a wide range of responsibilities dependent on the candidate’s skills and prior experience.
Home Innovation is also hiring for the following career opportunities:
- Accounts Receivable Clerk [Full-Time]
- Building Products Testing & Certification Programs Manager [Full-Time]
- Mid-Level Building Science Research Analyst [Full-Time]
- Senior Building Science Research Engineer [Full-Time]
See more information here.
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If you know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green program partners, please let us know. | |
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Every other Tuesday, 2:00 PM ET | Join us here
Upcoming dates - Mark you calendars!
Open Forum for questions, chatting, and whatever you need.
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08/06/2024 - NGBS Green Office Hours, 2PM - All Welcome | Register here
08/14/2024 - CO Housing & Finance Authority (CHFA) draft 2025-2026 QAP Public Hearing, 10:00am, Via Zoom | Register here
08/20/2024 - NGBS Green Office Hours, 2PM - All Welcome| Register here
08/23/2024 - AZ Dept. of Housing (ADOH) QAP Focus Group |See Bulletin here
08/30/2024 - CO Housing & Finance Authority (CHFA) draft 2025-2026 QAP written comments close
09/17/2024 - BISNOW Southeast Conference, Atlanta, GA | Register here
09/20/2024 - Raterfest 2024 (3 days), Empire, CO | Register here
09/24/2024 - Housing Oregon Conference, Portland, OR | Register here
10/01/2024 - EEBA High Performance Home Builder Summit (3 days), Salt Lake City, UT | Register here
10/25/2024 - Q4 Verifier Quarterly Webinar, 2 PM ET | Register here
11/12/2024 - Greenbuild 2024 (4 days), Philadelphia, PA | Register here
01/27/2025 - 2025 RESNET Conference (4 days), Tempe, AZ | Register here
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NGBS Green Program Feedback
Please take a moment to let us know what you think of our delivery and customer service.
Take this 1-minute survey
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This email serves as notification of important program and service updates, as well as relevant industry news and happenings. Home Innovation Research Labs sends email notifications periodically; we encourage recipients to add this email address (InsiderUpdate-noreply@HomeInnovation.com) to your approved senders list. You may unsubscribe from this notification service at any time using the link below, though please be aware that this will be the primary channel for conveying certification program changes, news, and updates to participants, and opting out of this notification service may result in missing critical developments and changes. Home Innovation Research Labs authorizes use of information contained within this email only by those participating in our NGBS Green Certification Program.
NGBS Green Certification is administered by Home Innovation Research Labs.
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