Florida Housing Finance Corporation is committed to “living green” by requiring the inclusion of green building features that promote energy and water efficiency and healthy living practices in affordable homeowner and rental homes financed by our programs.
In addition to financial benefits of lower operating costs, green building practices provide environmental and social benefits as well. Many great building construction requirements promote healthier living environments by eliminating the use of hazardous materials, creating designs that include more natural light and the use of more durable materials for long term sustainability and preservation.
Developers seeking financing through our competitive, rental “Request for Applications” (RFA) process are required to include certain green building and energy efficiency features in all units within the development, as specified in the RFA. These criteria include features such as low or no-VOC paint, low-flow water fixtures, Energy Star rated appliances and specifications for air conditioning and heating systems. In addition, approximately one-half of the RFAs also require the selection of one of the following Green Building Certification Programs for all new construction or redevelopment projects: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC); ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS); or Enterprise Green Communities. For more information on Florida Housing’s rental development programs, click here.
The Homeownership Pool (“HOP”) Program is a non-competitive and on-going program, in which developers qualify to become HOP Pool members and reserve funds for eligible homebuyers on a first-come, first-served basis. Most new construction units are required to be certified to one of the following green building practices: Energy Star certification; Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC); ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS); or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
For more information on the HOP program, click here. Details regarding the property standards are available in Rule Chapter 67-57.040, Florida Administrative Code.