U.S Green Building Council and the Bank of America advocate Green Housing

Sustainable Environment

A grant program has been initiated by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the U.S Green Building Council for the promotion of sustainability in housing areas. Developers and public agencies that are looking for LEED certification for an affordable neighborhood development will receive required funding and educational resources.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a U.S Green Building council certification which is recognized worldwide. This  certification comes when a third party verifies that a building or community has been designed and built by utilizing tactics to improve performances of parameters like energy savings,CO2 emission reduction etc. The aim is to ensure constructed builds are environment friendly by using environment friendly construction practices.

Projects that enhance the health, natural environment and quality of life in a community are recognized by the neighborhood development program. The cost of LEED education and certification will be compensated by grants up to $20,000.The U.S Green Building Council said that affordable housing is an important issue in urban areas throughout the United States; more then 6.5 million lower income families spend half their incomes on housing and utility costs. Green houses use less energy and also incur lower utility bills.

Kerry Sullivan, president of the Bank of America Charitable foundation said the joint initiative between the bank and the green building council would combine goals of the two organizations in such a way that it would have an impact on the health and life of communities all over the country. He further said by compensating the LEED cost for neighborhood development training and certification would create a ripple effect; creation of more affordable green houses and increasing sustainability of whole neighborhoods. Application period for the affordable green homes grant program will end on Sept 9. Applicants will know their status in October and get their awards by early winter.