The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the DC Green Communities Initiative, comprised of Enterprise Community Partners and GreenHOME, today announce the availability of grant funding toward the completion of integrated design charrettes to explore the most cost-effective ways to incorporate green building standards.  Up to $5,000 per project is available for non-profit organizations that are seeking to develop housing that is affordable to households with incomes 80% or less of area median income in the District and are intending to apply for funding through DHCD’s Request for Proposals (RFP), released November 16, 2007.

A revision in DHCD’s most recent Request for Proposals (RFP), released November 16, 2007, includes requirements for Green Building Design, including the provision that all residential projects requesting gap financing must conduct an integrated design charrette prior to submitting the application to DHCD.  To facilitate this transition to green building, DHCD has partnered with the D.C. Green Communities Initiative to offer up to $5,000 per project (not to exceed $10,000 per organization) in grant funds to conduct integrated design charrettes for non-profit sponsored affordable housing projects. The integrated design charrette is a collaborative planning process that includes all project stakeholders and determines the most cost-effective way to implement green building design standards.

“The Department, as shown by the changes to the RFP, is committed to supporting green building standards in affordable housing,” said Leila Finucane Edmonds, DHCD Director.  “We realize that the District’s non-profit affordable housing providers may need financial assistance with this transition, and we are pleased to partner with the D.C. Green Communities Initiative to provide this grant funding.”