Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation have announced the Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program. The program awards financial and educational resources to help remove barriers towards the pursuit of LEED for Neighborhood Development projects which include affordable green housing components in their neighborhood plans. The grant program is open to developers and related public agencies that choose to pursue LEED for Neighborhood Development certification and demonstrate a commitment toward strengthening existing communities by providing affordable green housing to citizens with a range of income levels.

The application period for the Affordable Green Homes Grant Program is open until September 9, 2010.  Applicants will be notified of their status in October, and will receive their awards throughout late fall and early winter.

A review committee of industry leaders will award a group of projects with the grant. The grant includes:

·  A cash reward of $20,000 which may be used to pursue LEED for Neighborhood Development certification

·  A complimentary LEED for Neighborhood Development Reference Guide

·  Registration for an online LEED for Neighborhood Development webinar

·  Registration for two LEED for Neighborhood Development workshops

·  A discounted membership for the U.S. Green Building Council

· Waived registration and exam fees for one employee to pursue the LEED Accredited Professional with Neighborhoood Development specialty credential

To learn more about the Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program and/or to apply, please click here.

For more information on LEED for Neighborhood Development, click here. 


U.S. Green Building Council
The USGBC community is transforming the way we build, design and operate our buildings for healthier places that save precious resources for people to live, work, learn and play in.  UGSBC is helping create buildings and communities that regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.  Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Council is the driving force of the green building industry, which is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2013. USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students.  The USGBC community comprises 80 local chapters, 17,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 150,000 individuals who have earned LEED Professional Credentials.  Visit www.usgbc.org for more information.