Certification Incentives

National & State Incentives

Check out these current incentives for NGBS Green Certified projects.

The ICC 700 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS) is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard. The NGBS provides criteria for rating the environmental impact of design and construction practices to achieve conformance with specified performance levels for green residential buildings. Federal agencies and local/state jurisdictions recognize the NGBS on par or superior to other residential green rating systems.

National Incentives

Fannie Mae Green Incentives & Tools

Three green financing products are available for NGBS Green projects:

1. Green Rewards: Preferential pricing (10 bps discount) and up to 5% additional loan proceeds available for properties ready to make improvements and repairs after loan close. Available for refinance, acquisition, supplemental, and second supplemental.

2. Green Certification Pricing Break: Preferential pricing available for properties with NGBS Green certification awarded prior to loan lock. Available for refinance, acquisition, and supplemental.

3. Green Preservation Plus: Preferential pricing (up to 5 bps discount) and up to 5% additional loan proceeds available for affordable properties that are 10+ years old and ready to make improvements and repairs after loan close. Available for refinance and acquisition loans.

For more information on Fannie Mae green financing products, visit FannieMae.com/multifamily/greeninitiative. Interested developers and owners should contact a Fannie Mae multifamily lender (FannieMae.com/multifamily/lender-partners).

Freddie Mac Single-Family Green Home Mortgage Guidance

Multifamily buildings with at least one affordable rental unit that either have or are seeking NGBS Green certification will qualify for the better pricing on existing green buildings under Green Advantage. Borrowers have two financing options:

1. Green Up enables borrowers with qualifying properties to increase the amount of their eligible Freddie Mac Multifamily loan by up to 50% of projected energy and water savings.

2. Green Up Plus enables borrowers to increase the loan amount by up to 75% of the projected savings.

For more information on Green Advantage, visit: www.freddiemac.com/multifamily/product/greenadvantage.html.

HUD Mortgage Insurance Premium Reduction

As of April 2016, HUD offers mortgage insurance premium (MIP) rate reductions for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured multifamily loans secured by buildings that attain NGBS Green certification. Annual MIP rates are reduced to 25 basis points from current rates, which are typically between 45 and 70 basis points, for multifamily FHA-insured loan types that meet two conditions:

  • The building must be NGBS Green Certified, or the building owner must attest that s/he is seeking NGBS Green certification for the building.
  • The owner must attest that the building has achieved or will pursue an Energy Score of 75 or better using EPA’s Portfolio Manager. The score must be verified by a qualified assessor in preparing the physical condition assessment report.

MIP rate reductions are available for multifamily new construction, renovation, refinance, purchase, or seniors’ housing. NGBS Green offers flexible and affordable certification for either new construction or renovation and, consequently, is a great path for builders seeking to qualify for MIP reductions.

HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program

The Choice Neighborhoods program supports locally driven strategies to address struggling neighborhoods with distressed public or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. Awards of up to $30 million are available to communities under this program. Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants are available to support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which focused on directing resources to address three core goals: Housing, People and Neighborhoods. Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants support those communities that have undergone a comprehensive local planning process and are ready to implement their "Transformation Plan" to redevelop the neighborhood. The 2016 Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) encourages the use of NGBS Green for new construction or substantial rehabilitation proposed as part of the community plans.

HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program
USDA Rural Development, Multifamily Housing Energy Efficiency Initiative

Applicants to several Rural Rental Housing, Farm Labor Housing, Housing Preservation Grants, and Multifamily Housing Revitalization grants and loans are eligible to receive additional points for new construction and rehabilitation projects that are certified to the NGBS, LEED for Homes, Enterprise Green Communities, and/or ENERGY STAR. Points awarded for each certification obtained, and more points will be awarded for higher certification levels. See more here.

HUD & USDA Energy Efficiency Standards
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Incentives


Incentives by State

Arizona

ARIZONA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Arizona Department of Housing LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plan awards 10 points for projects that certify to the NGBS at the silver level or higher, LEED at the silver level or higher, or Enterprise Green Communities.

California

CALIFORNIA, Qualified Allocation Plan – California Tax Credit Allocation Committee’s Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits lists NGBS at a Silver or higher level as a minimum requirement alongside LEED, Passive House, Living Building Challenge or the GreenPoint Rated Program. Achievement of any of these programs serves as an alternative to the agency's Sustainable Building Method workbook for new construction and rehabilitation.

Colorado

COLORADO, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires all projects to obtain a third-party green building certification. CHFA recognizes NGBS, LEED and Enterprise Green Communities as acceptable certification programs.

Connecticut

CONNECTICUT, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program awards 2 or 3 points for Green Building Criteria. Projects earn 2 points for NGBS Gold, LEED Gold, or Enterprise Green Communities certifications. To earn 3 points, the project must earn NGBS Emerald, LEED Platinum, or Living Building Challenge Core Ready certifications.

Delaware

DELAWARE, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Delaware State Housing Authority’s Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 3 points for NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED. Two additional points are available for Passive House, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, or a HERS score of 75 or less (only available for acquisitions/rehabilitations).

Florida

FLORIDA, Qualified Allocation Plan – Florida Housing Finance Corporation Request for Applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires that new construction and redevelopment projects be certified to the NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, Florida Green Building Program, or LEED.

Georgia

GEORGIA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Georgia Department of Community Affairs Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires green certification to the NGBS, LEED for Homes, EarthCraft, or Enterprise Green Communities.

Hawaii

HAWAII, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits awards up to 4 points for NGBS, LEED, or Enterprise Green Communities certifications. NGBS Points awarded are: 1 point for Bronze; 2 points for Silver; 3 points for Gold; and 4 points for Emerald.

Idaho

IDAHO, Qualified Allocation Plan The Idaho Housing and Finance Association Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 8 points for a NGBS, ENERGY STAR, LEED, Enterprise, Indoor airPLUS, and Passive House Certification in their QAP.

Illinois

ILLINOIS, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Illinois Housing Development Authority Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits awards 7 points under the "Basic level" of Green Building Certification Requirements for certifying to NGBS Gold, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED Gold, or International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Core. Projects can earn 10 points under the "Advanced Level" for EGC Plus, LEED Platinum, NGBS Emerald, ILFI Living Building, or PHIUS Core. The highest level, "Net Zero Level", awards 13 points for EGC Plus via Criterion 5.4, LEED Zero, NGBS Green +NET ZERO ENERGY, ILFI Zero Energy or Zero Carbon, or PHIUS Zero.

Indiana

INDIANA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires that newly-constructed buildings be in compliance with NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED, or equivalent ANSI-approved rating system.

Louisiana

LOUISIANA, Qualified Allocation Plan  The Louisiana Housing Corporation Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 5 points for NGBS, LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, or EarthCraft certifications. All projects are required to obtain a Fortified Roof certification.

Maryland

MARYLAND, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 10 points for projects that are certified to NGBS, EarthCraft, Enterprise Green Communities, Green Globes, International Living Future Institute Net Zero, LEED, or PHIUS+.

Michigan

MICHIGAN, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires compliance with the NGBS Green (Silver level or higher), Enterprise Green Communities (New Construction Mandatory + 40 Optional), or LEED (Silver level or higher). Additional competitive points are available for the NGBS Green +NET ZERO ENERGY, Enterprise Green Communities Plus, LEED Zero Energy, or PHIUS+ certifications.

Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Mississippi Home Corporation Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 7 points to projects that earn NGBS (silver level), Enterprise Green Communities, or FORTIFIED Multifamily (Gold) certification.

Missouri

MISSOURI, Qualified Allocation Plan – In the Missouri Housing Development Commission Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, projects must be in compliance with the NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED.

New Hampshire

NEW HAMPSHIRE, Qualified Allocation Plan – In the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits awards 2 points for projects achieving a NGBS Gold certification, LEED Gold, or Enterprise Green Communities certification. Projects certified as Passive House or The Institute for Living Futures Net Zero are eligible to receive 8 points.

New Jersey

NEW JERSEY, Qualified Allocation Plan – The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards 4 points for NGBS Silver, LEED Silver, or Enterprise Green Communities certification with climate adaptive practices selected, or Living Building Challenge, Passive House, or NJ Energy Homes + renewables. Alternatively, 3 points are available for entry-level of the NGBS, Enterprise Green Communities, or LEED.

New York

NEW YORK, Qualified Allocation Plan – New York State Homes and Community Renewal requires that all funded multifamily projects meet energy efficiency and green building requirements. NGBS, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and Passive House are recognized options.

North Dakota

NORTH DAKOTA, Qualified Allocation Plan – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits recognizes NGBS, LEED, and Enterprise Green Communities certification and awards a developer up to 7 optional points.

Ohio

OHIO, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Ohio Housing Finance Agency Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits requires that all funded projects obtain one of the following green building certifications: NGBS Green (silver or higher), LEED (silver or higher), or Enterprise Green Communities certification.

Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits recognizes the NGBS Silver, LEED Silver, and Enterprise Green Communities certifications for 10 points for newly-constructed buildings. For preservation developments, NGBS Bronze, LEED Certified, and Enterprise Green Communities earn 10 points.

Puerto Rico

PUERTO RICO, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority's Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Qualified Allocation Plan stipulates that funded new construction and substantial renovation projects must comply with a HUD-approved green building standard. These include the NGBS, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED, and Indoor airPLUS.

South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority';s Qualified Allocation Plan awards 5 points for NGBS, LEED for Homes, Enterprise Green Communities, or EarthCraft certification.

Texas

TEXAS, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits awards up to 4 points for NGBS, LEED, and Enterprise Green Communities certification.

Utah

UTAH, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Utah Housing Corporation Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits awards 5 competitive points for NGBS Green Certification, LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, ENERGY STAR NextGen, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, Passive House, Green Globes or WELL.

U.S. Virgin Islands

VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.), Qualified Allocation Plan – The U.S. Virgin Islands Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits recognizes NGBS, LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, and ENERGY STAR certification. Under Energy Efficiency, up to 10 points may be awarded, with 9 points for NGBS Bronze and 10 points for Silver and above.

Virginia

VIRGINIA, Qualified Allocation Plan – The Virginia Housing Development Authority Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits awards 10 points for developments meeting NGBS Green Certification, LEED, Earth Craft, or Enterprise Green Communities.

Washington

WASHINGTON, Qualified Allocation Plan – Washington's State Housing Finance Commission recognizes NGBS Green certification (Silver level and higher) as one option for meeting the requirements for the Energy Spark Home Loan program, which provides a .25 interest rate reduction for qualifying buyers of energy-efficient homes.

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