After careful consideration of all utility allowance options, the Virginia Housing Development Agency (VHDA) has elected to amend the options available for project utility allowances. Effective March 1, 2020, the following utility allowance options will no longer be accepted:
Agency Estimate – Viridiant (EarthCraft Virginia), is a licensed, certified professional approved to continue providing energy estimates using the available options.
HUD Utility Schedule Model (HUSM), Option A
- Completed by the owner for a fee paid to VHDA and
- Only a HUSM completed by a licensed or certified professional will now be accepted.
VHDA review and approval is required before implementing alternative utility allowances for non-RHS (RD), and HUD Assisted Buildings. All requests for alternative utility allowance estimates must be completed by the local utility company that offers utility services to the project building, or an unrelated Licensed or Certified Professional.
The following alternative utility allowance methods are approved by VHDA:
- Local Utility Company Estimate
- Energy Consumption Model
- HUD Utility Schedule Model
If your project currently uses the Agency Estimate or the HUD Utility Schedule Model, Option A, a new utility allowance option must be selected for future utility allowance reviews.
Visit VHDA’s website to view the revised VHDA Utility Allowance Options and Procedures.
Contact utilityallowances@vhda.com with any questions. Include Utility Allowance Changes in the email subject line.
