For Small Rental Property Owners
Guide to Green Building Standards
Overview
“Green building” is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites harvest and use energy, water, and materials. At the same time, green building reduces building impacts on human health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal—the complete building life cycle.
Green building is also known as sustainable building or environmental building. The practice of green building can lead to several benefits, including:
- Reduced operating costs through greater efficiency, using less energy and water
- Improved public safety and occupant health due to better indoor air quality
- Reduced general environmental impacts (e.g., lessening storm water runoff and the “heat island” effect)
Practitioners of green building often seek not only ecological but also aesthetic harmony between a structure and its surrounding natural and built environment. The appearance and style of sustainable homes and buildings can be nearly indistinguishable from their conventional counterparts.
Participants in The Road Home Small Rental Property Program who elected to rebuild their affordable units to a nationally recognized Green Building Standard will be required to meet one of the following standards to pass their final Road Home program inspection and receive their incentive loan award. The acceptable standards are:
- The Louisiana Rebuilds Standard;
- The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard; or
- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Gold/Silver Standards
The Rental Program strongly recommends that owners who have selected the “Green building” option choose the “Louisiana Rebuilds” standard which is based on the Green Communities criteria. This standard, which was developed in coordination with representatives from Green Communities, has been crafted with Louisiana properties in mind and reflects the special challenges faced by owners who are trying to restore older buildings. It is generally more feasible and less expensive to implement. Listed below is some basic information about meeting this standard.
The Louisiana Rebuilds Standard based on the Green Communities Criteria
The Louisiana Rebuilds Standard is based on the Green Communities Criteria, a national green affordable housing standard. The Louisiana Rebuilds Standard consists of a simple checklist that all properties must pass before being approved as a “Green Building.” Fulfillment of the Checklist items will be verified by Road Home inspectors at the time they conduct your final Program inspection. However, since some green features are difficult to verify after the walls have been sealed and construction has been completed, a number of the checklist items may be verified by a certification (Certification Statement PDF/46k ) from the owner that the standard was, in fact, met. These items are marked on the checklist. In general, the standard has been designed to be as practical to implement as possible and it is flexible enough to accommodate situations where much of the construction has taken place before the owner has received their conditional award and commitment letter from the SRPP.
Verification of the Green Checklist items will be necessary before your incentive award will be disbursed.
The explanatory material you will need to fully understand the specific items on the checklist is linked within those items on the checklist. Additional information which may be helpful in fulfilling these requirements can be found at the Green Communities Web site, www.greencommunitiesonline.org.
Louisiana Rebuilds Checklist Owner/Contractor Name: Address (Street/City/State): |
|||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Integrated Design Process | ||||||
| 1.1 | Checklist Review | ||||||||
| The owner and contractor acknowledge that they have reviewed and incorporated this Green Checklist. | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Site Improvements | ||||||
| 2.1 | Environmental Review | ||||||||
| This property meets HUD-mandated Environmental Risk Review provisions for the Small Rental Property Program. These include compliance with State Historic Preservation Office requirements; HUD Noise Abatement and Control regulations; compliance with Runway Clear Zone/Airport Clear Zone and Accident Protection Zone requirements; Flood Insurance /Flood Disaster protection Act compliance; and compliance with the Coastal Barriers Resources Act | |||||||||
| 2.2 | Landscaping (if applicable) | ||||||||
| If providing new landscaping after the time the Conditional Award is issued, native trees and plants that are appropriate to the site’s soils and microclimate are used (see attached Native Trees brochure PDF/2MB). | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Water Conservation | ||||||
| 3.1 | Water Conserving Fixtures | ||||||||
| Property uses water-conserving fixtures: Toilets – 1.6 gallons per flush or better have been installed (or existing toilets meet this requirement); Showerheads – 2.0 gallons per minute or better have been installed (or existing showerheads meet this requirement). Kitchen and/or bathroom faucets, meet the following flow rates: Kitchen faucets – 2.0 GPM or better; Bathroom faucets – 2.0 GPM or better; flow-control aerators are acceptable to meet these flow rates. | |||||||||
| 3.2 | Efficient Irrigation (if applicable) | ||||||||
| If an in-ground sprinkler system has been installed after the Conditional Award is issued, it is efficient in delivering water directly to the soil (i.e., contains drip system components, timer and is controllable by zone). | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Energy Efficiency | ||||||
| 4.1 | Efficient Energy Use | ||||||||
| Property adheres to best weatherization practices, including air penetrations sealed, ductwork sealed, and attic and exterior walls insulated according to the attached addendum, Weatherization Guidelines(PDF/145k). | |||||||||
| 4.2 | Energy Star Appliances | ||||||||
| Energy Star-labeled appliances have been installed for all refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers (if present) in rental units. | |||||||||
| 4.3a | Efficient Light: Interior of Rental Unit(s) | ||||||||
| Energy Star-labeled lighting fixtures are used in all rooms excluding closets and bathrooms. (Energy Star Light Fixture product list is available at: www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/fixtures_prod_list.pdf) | |||||||||
| 4.3b | Efficient Light: Common Areas | ||||||||
| Energy Star or high-efficiency commercial grade fixtures are installed. | |||||||||
| 4.4 | Electricity Meter (Except for zero bedroom dwelling units) | ||||||||
| Units have been separately metered unless owner attests that this is financially infeasible. | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Healthy Living Environment | ||||||
| 5.1 | Mold Remediation | ||||||||
| Owner knows of no mold hazard. Owner so certifies on final inspection checklist. | |||||||||
| 5.2a | Low / No Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Paints and Primers | ||||||||
| All new interior paints and primers applied on or after November 1, 2007 contain low or no VOC’s and are so certified by the owner/contractor at final inspection. | |||||||||
| 5.2b | Low / No VOC Adhesives and Sealants | ||||||||
| All new adhesives and sealants used on or after November 1, 2007 contain low or no VOC’s and are so certified by owner/contractor at final inspection. | |||||||||
| 5.3 | Formaldehyde-free Composite Wood | ||||||||
| No composite wood that has exposed particleboard (which contains added urea-formaldehyde) has been installed after the Conditional Award is issued unless the exposed area has been sealed. | |||||||||
| 5.4 | Floor Covering | ||||||||
| Carpets are not installed in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms or kitchens. Owners are encouraged to install Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) “Green Label” carpets and pads. | |||||||||
| 5.5 | Water Heaters: Mold Prevention | ||||||||
| Tankless hot water heaters or conventional hot water heaters are installed in rooms that have drains or catch pans piped to the exterior of the dwelling or have floors covered with non-water sensitive materials such as cement, tile or linoleum. | |||||||||
| 5.6a | Materials in Wet Areas: Surfaces | ||||||||
| In wet areas, materials that have smooth, durable, cleanable surfaces are used (excludes mold-propagating materials such as vinyl wallpaper and unsealed grout). Owner/contractor certifies grout has been sealed. | |||||||||
| 5.6b | Materials in Wet Areas: Tub and Shower Enclosure (if replaced) | ||||||||
| If installed after Conditional Award, one-piece fiberglass or similar enclosures have been installed, or if grouted material is used, backing materials such as cement board, fiber cement board, fiberglass-reinforced board or cement plaster have been installed. Use of appropriate backing materials is certified by owner/contractor. | |||||||||
| 5.7 | Water Drainage | ||||||||
| Gutters are routed at least five feet (5’) away from windows, walls and foundations using downspouts and extensions. | |||||||||
| 5.8 | Garage Isolation | ||||||||
| In any units with attached garages, a carbon monoxide alarm is installed inside the dwelling on the wall that is attached to the garage, or is installed outside the sleeping area. | |||||||||
| 5.9 | Integrated Pest Management | ||||||||
| All wall, floor, and joint penetrations were sealed with low/no VOC products to prevent pest entry. Rodent and corrosion proof screens (e.g., copper or stainless steel mesh) are installed on large openings. | |||||||||
| 5.10 | Lead-Safe Rental Units | ||||||||
| All units built prior to 1978 have been certified to be lead-safe by The Road Home program or by prior clearance conducted by State certified lead inspectors. | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Operations and Maintenance | ||||||
| 6.1 | Building Maintenance Manual for Owner | ||||||||
| Owner certifies on final inspection list that s/he has received a green manual including instructions about how to properly operate and maintain the Green features of his/her property. | |||||||||
| 6.2 | Occupant’s Manual | ||||||||
| Tenant certifies either on final inspection or in lease that s/he has received a green manual and direct instruction about how to properly operate and maintain the Green features of the unit. | |||||||||
| Yes | No | ? | Safe Living Environment | ||||||
| 7.1 | Flood Protection | ||||||||
| Small Rental Property Program properties meet the flood elevation requirements determined by FEMA, if applicable. Building permits received prior to August 29, 2006, have been honored; in these cases, the property owner was not required to meet new FEMA Base Flood Elevations. Flood-related requirements were inspected by local authorities prior to issuing their Certificate of Occupancy or its equivalent. The Certificate of Occupancy (or equivalent) has been provided to The Road Home inspector prior to program final inspection and funds disbursement. | |||||||||
Certification Statement (PDF/45k)
For additional resources which can be helpful in understanding how to rebuild in the Gulf region using energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and durable building practices, go to the Louisiana State University AgCenter website, www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/home/la_house/. There you will find outreach and education materials, workshop listings, and more.
Those owners who decide not to use the Louisiana Rebuilds standard must use one of the following national standards
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The LEED ranking system requires the use of a third-party LEED consultant who will prepare the green building plans. This trained professional will design the renovation to meet green standards.
More information on LEED standards may be found by visiting the U.S. Green Building
Council Web site at www.usgbc.com or by writing:
U.S. Green Building Council
1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
NOTE: The LEED standard is not particular to Louisiana properties nor is it designed to accommodate the special challenges faced by property owners recovering from a major disaster. Owners selecting the LEED standard must obtain that organization’s certification prior to receiving their final Road Home program inspection. Verification of this fact will be necessary before your incentive award will be disbursed.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
To receive credit for the silver and gold levels of green building, a property must receive the specified points in the following table:
Points Required for the Two Different Levels of NAHB Green Building
The NAHB standards may be accessed by visiting www.nahb.org or by writing:
National Association of Home Builders
1201 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
NOTE: The NAHB standard is not particular to Louisiana properties, nor is it designed to accommodate the special challenges faced by property owners recovering from a major disaster. Owners selecting the NAHB standard must obtain that organization’s certification prior to receiving their final Road Home program inspection. Verification of this fact will be necessary before your incentive award will be disbursed.