Green/Sustainable Housing

The House of Representatives has by a vote of 256-168 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

The US House of Representative passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454) on June 26th. This far reaching climate change legislation includes an important section on building energy retrofits (Section 202). Additionally, the legislation incorporates Representative Ed Perlmutter’s (D-Colo.) Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act (Subtitle H).

The IRS has issued a notice establishing announcing an initial allocation round of the advanced energy project credit under the program. $2.3 billion in tax credits will be available through the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program created, which was created in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), along with fellow Committee members Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dan Akaka (D-HI) and Charles Schumer (D-NY), introduced legislation to help areas across the country plan and implement development projects that better integrate their community’s needs for transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.

HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Programs has scheduled technical assistance training addressing Energy Efficiency. The Energy Efficiency course describes how a project can incorporate energy efficiency measures into rehabilitation and new construction programs.

Thanks to everyone that made the 2009 Summer Institute a great success! We were blown away by all of the compliments about the quality of the program and networking. I especially want to thank all the great speakers! Its not every day that so many industry leaders and innovators can come together to share ideas and innovations. In such a tough business environment it was inspirational to see how our members are creating new opportunities to close transactions. If you didn’t make out to Vermont here are a few things that you missed…

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced that it is accepting applications for the Section 1603 program, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The U.S. Treasury Department is now accepting applications for cash grants in lieu of investment tax credits for qualifying renewable energy equipment and facilities.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced that it is accepting applications for the Section 1603 program, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association is pleased to announce that it has made available the PowerPoint presentations displayed during the recent 2009 Summer Institute & Pre-Conference Symposium on New Markets Tax Credits, held July 29 – August 1, 2009 in Woodstock, Vermont.

The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program has published on its website a new series of resources titled “Implementing ARRA” which tracks the implementation work of metropolitan leaders, assessing their progress and struggles, and extracting from the innovators’ experiences ideas for short- and long-term federal policy reforms.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that Shelley Poticha has been appointed Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities. HUD is working with Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) on legislation that seeks to create the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities at HUD. Poticha will direct the office if the bill becomes law.