Sustainable or "green" building practices have demonstrated the ability to save homeowners and renters from 25%-65% in utility costs every month. Homeowners can save tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance costs over the life of their home by implementing sustainable practices and products. Green just makes cents. HFA will be introducing a Sustainable Building Initiative in 2007.

What is Sustainable Building?

Sustainable building is the practice of: Increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water and materials. It reduces the building impacts on human health and the environment through improved design, construction, operation, maintenance, and waste removal.

Sustainable Building Benefits

Ø Reduces average energy costs by 25%-65%.
Ø Avoids/reduces the risks of mold, fire, insects and hurricanes.
Ø Can significantly increase a property’s value.
Ø Dramatically diminishes a home’s environmental impact.

Burden of Energy Costs

Ø Low-income families must spend a larger percentage of their income on energy costs.
Ø Studies have indicated that families below the poverty line may spend as much as 19% of their total early income on utility costs.
Ø In some areas of the United States as many as one-quarter of evictions of low-income renters were due to an inability to pay utility costs.