Green/Sustainable Housing

Over the weekend Senate Democrats and several moderate Republicans negotiated a compromise version of HR1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that appears to be poised to pass the United States Senate on Tuesday. A key procedural vote to end debate on the measure passed the Senate on a 61-36 vote Monday evening (February 9).

Global Green USA has completed its 4th annual analysis and ranking this year after looking at the 2008 Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) for all 50 states.

The National Association of Homebuilders National Green Building Standard for all single-family homes, apartments and condos; land development; and residential remodeling and renovation was approved on Jan. 29 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has updated HUD Form 9250 (Reserve Fund for Replacement Authorizations) with new language that requires owners/agents of HUD projects to indicate whether the requested withdrawal of replacement reserve funds will be used to replace appliances and/or major components with energy efficient products/systems.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on January 23 released a draft of its own version of the tax component of the economic stimulus bill (the “Chairman’s Mark”) that the committee is scheduled to mark up on January 27. The House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees have already marked up and approved the spending and tax portions of the House version of the stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). The full House could vote on the package next week.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on January 26 published a final rule that amends the public housing operating fund regulations to reflect recent statutory changes regarding energy performance contracts for public housing properties.

NH&RA has officially launched the new Council for Energy Friendly Affordable Housing (CEFAH). CEFAH is an independent council within NH&RA focused on developing policy solutions and practical, cost effective measures to reduce energy consumption in affordable, public and HUD-assisted housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced a new streamlined process for providing funding through its various grant programs.