Neighborhood Development Resources


Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program


A lack of affordable housing remains one of the most critical problems facing metropolitan regions across the country.  According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, over 6.5 million low income families spend more than 50% of their incomes on housing and utility costs.  Further burdening low income families is the fact that less expensive housing is often located far from job centers and transit, which results in even higher costs for housing when transportation costs and increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are considered.  LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) encourages locations that reduce VMT and are proximate to jobs and services by foot or transit.  With reduced transportation costs and the option to walk or ride to work, school, or local services, LEED-ND projects with affordable housing can bring the environmental benefits such as green homes and infrastructure, health benefits such as walkable streets, economic benefits such as new jobs, and social benefits such as new parks and access to fresh food to low income and working families.

With generous support from the Bank of America Foundation, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is pleased to offer a grant program that recognizes affordable housing developers who are committed to building sustainable communities.  The Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program will award grants and provide educational resources to affordable housing developers and related public agencies who choose to pursue LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development certification. Preference will be given to qualifying projects that meet additional goals, including the redevelopment of infill and previously developed sites, effort to strengthen the surrounding neighborhoods, commitment to engage stakeholders in the development process, and the provision of green housing for a range of income levels.  

2010 Grant Recipients


USGBC and the Bank of America Foundation are excited to announce the following recipients of the 2010 Affordable Green Neighborhood Grant Program. The winners were announced on November 16, 2010 during the Affordable Housing Summit at the 2010 Greenbuild Conference and Expo.

>>Download Full Press Release

Articles

  • "‘Walkable’ Steps Into Spotlight" - The New York Times (12-01-2011)
  • "Plan to revitalize and rebuild Sunnydale gets green award" - SFGate (11-30-2011)
  • "An Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program Recipient is Reimagined in San Francisco" - USGBC Blog (11-30-2011)
  • "Ten affordable neighborhoods-in-progress will design to LEED-ND standards under grant program" - Grist (11-30-10)
  • "Clackamas County trying to rejuvenate stranded community" - Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce (12-22-10)
  • "WA Group To Redesign 1700-Home Sunnydale Public Housing Community in San Francisco" - BusinessWire (2-10-11)
  • "Score One for the Green Guys" - USGBC Blog (4-14-11)
  • "Wyandanch Rising: Community Revitalization" - USGBC Neighborhood Development Update (April 2011)

    • Award


    A review committee of industry leaders awarded a select group of projects with an Affordable Green Neighborhoods grant.  Each award included:

    • A cash award of approximately $25,000, which may be used to pursue LEED-ND certification;
    • A discounted national membership to the U.S. Green Building Council;
    • One LEED-ND Reference Guide;
    • One LEED-ND online training registration;
    • One registration for the 200 LEED-ND workshop;
    • Waived registration and exam fees for one employee to pursue the LEED Accredited Professional for Neighborhood Development credential;
    • Refunded LEED-ND project registration fee by GBCI.

    How to Apply


    Applications for 2012 will open in early summer.  Check back for more details as they become available.

    Learn More


    Affordable Green Neighborhoods FAQ
    Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program Webcast
    The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System
    Neighborhood Development Resources
    USGBC’s Affordable Housing Initiative
    USGBC’s LEED for Homes Grant Program
    GBCI LEED-ND Certification Page