West MI Green Affordable Housing
Free Green Building Certification, Education, Training and Consulting for low income and supportive housing new and existing home projects.
Thanks to the support of the Wege Foundation the GreenHome Institute is here to help make your next project better. Whether it is new construction, gut rehab or a remodel, we can now get you access to resources, training, certification, and incentives to make your properties more energy-efficient, healthier, and more durable.
The goal of the program is to help you take your affordable housing projects to the next level by assessing your energy use, indoor air quality, and opportunities to certify under a green building program.
GHI brings 20 years of experience helping residential buildings improve through design and renovation practices.
Benefits of registering for this program include
- Access to free but comprehensive green building training for staff and project team members.
- Study sessions to have your staff obtain their LEED Green Associates and LEED Accredited Professional Designation.
- Free access to become a Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP)
- Access to reduced or no cost green building certification and home energy scores which include
- Design Charrettes and preliminary ratings
- Existing building/Home energy inspections
- Green building registration, provider, and certification fees
- Energy modeling / Cost-benefit Analysis
- Access to rebates, incentives, financing, and potential grants to help you fund green building
- Promotion of your companies commitment to better building and sustainability
Read the FAQ below or contact Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org to get started
FAQ
Is there a cost to the program?
No. It is free to sign up.
Discounts or free access to benefits will be determined by your project type, size and development timeline. Energy testing and modeling may come with a cost as these typically already required by code but that is also TBD by project details.
What does affordable housing mean?
The development must show to be held as an affordable housing rental or for sale at 100% AMI or higher. Developments including but not limited to senior housing, veteran, supportive, homeless, youth homes, refugee, special needs, disabilities, workforce housing, and more!
What is a green certification? Does it have to be LEED?
While our goal is to help you get LEED certified as the most recognized green program, there are many other tools we can use to help you achieve a better building.
We accept these different 3rd party certifications
- GreenStar
- Enterprise Green Communities
- National Green Building Standard
- Home Energy Score
- Energy Star
- LEED Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance
- LEED For HomesPrograms will be determined based on development goals, limitations and other needs as determined on a case by case basis.
How can I afforde to build green? Isn’t it more expensive?
There are various programs available to you and we will educate you and help you assess each one and how they can work together to help you achieve your goals. Reducing utility bills can allow you to reduce operating costs or have a more attractive space for tenants thus reducing turn over.
Incentives that may be available include
- Bonus Low Income Utility rebates and support from DTE and Consumers
- Consumers Energy Bonuses for low energy buildings
- 179D Energy Effeicny Tax credits
- Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing
- MI Saves Financing
- Potential access to Wege Foundation or other foundation support
- Solar Tax Deductions and property tax abatement zones
- Fannie Mae / Freddie MAC Green Mortgage Insurance Discounts
- Low Income Housing Tax Credits
- Potential Fundraising or grants
Do I need to attend a training?
No!
We understand things are busy. We can dive head first into your project and get started right away.
Where is this available?
All of West Michigan and Kalamazoo
News and Projects
Edge Flats 35 SW Seward Goes LEED Gold
August 2, 2021/by Brett LittleFinancial resources for low income energy efficiency in Grand Rapids Video
April 22, 2021/by Brett LittleLINC UP LEED Silver Affordable Housing
November 7, 2020/by Brett LittleICCF Community Homes Initiative nets GreenStar Homes Renovation Certifications
August 14, 2019/by Brett LittleStephanie Gingerich of LINC UP achieves LEED Green Associates to help affordable housing
July 17, 2019/by Brett LittleConsumers Energy boosts performance-based incentives and more, ready’s for zero!
July 6, 2019/by Brett Little435 LaGrave Apartments at Tapestry Square goes LEED Gold Certified
March 19, 2018/by Brett LittleWell House LEED Gold Gut Rehab uses housing first model to help homeless
February 24, 2018/by Brett LittleGreenHome Institute continues Green Affordable Housing Initiative after receiving Wege Foundation Grant.
February 8, 2018/by Brett LittleMembers Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect & Habitat for Humanity Kent County featured in USGBC LEED Homes Awards
September 21, 2017/by Brett LittleWest Michigan Organizations Awarded LEED Homes Power Builders
July 14, 2016/by Brett Little
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GreenHome Institute
625 Kenmoor Ave SE Ste 350
PMB 20674
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546-2395 US
Tel: (616) 458-6733
Toll Free: (888) 533-3274
Email: info@greenhomeinstitute.org
About Us
The GreenHome Institute, formerly The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices in the renovation and construction of the places we live.