NJ Green Homes Office Training – ‘Green Building’
               
On January 26, 2009 the NJ Green Homes Office organized and hosted a training on green building programs incorporated into NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency financing programs.  This training was for anyone interested in the process, submittals and differences between various green building programs - including Green Future, LEED for Homes and other programs.  The event was well attended and demand so high that we are now hosting the same training on another day - Monday, March 16, 2009.

Gabe Nathanson, NJ Green Homes Office, presented on 'Green Future' program updates for 2009 as well as additional resources.  The 'Green Future' program is a list of common definitions and green building items that are shared by multiple financing programs.  By sharing a common understanding of requirements, resources and training information - these construction practices will be easier to implement and create unity across NJHMFA green building requirements.

Dave Bone, MaGrann Associates, presented an in-depth comparison of the ENERGY STAR, LEED for Homes, NAHB and ANSI/ICC programs.  There are many green building standards under development across the nation and this presentation helped clarify the differences between these four programs.

Pam DeLosSantos, NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, spoke on submissions and things to consider for ‘Green Future’.  Pam reviews plans and specifications submitted for NJHMFA multifamily financing for conformance with green building requirements.

Sam Klein, NJ ‘LEED for Homes’ provider, spoke on the ‘LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes’ program and the USGBC Affordable Housing Initiative.  The United States Green Building Council recently released the ‘LEED for Homes’ program, which is managed by pre-contracted regional program managers.  Attendees will learn about specific submission criteria for these initiatives.