Enterprise Commends House Passage of HOPE VI Reauthorization with Sustainable Development...

Enterprise Commends House Passage of HOPE VI Reauthorization with Sustainable
Development Provisions

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Enterprise commends the
U.S. House of Representatives on the passage of H.R. 3524, the HOPE VI
Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007. In a significant achievement,
this groundbreaking legislation ensures all new HOPE VI developments will meet
green building criteria to the benefit of low-income families nationwide.
The bill requires new HOPE VI revitalization projects to meet the Green
Communities Criteria for residential construction, or other similar green
rating systems determined by the Secretary of HUD. For non-residential
buildings in HOPE VI developments, the bill requires the HUD Secretary to
choose an appropriate green rating system. Moreover, the bill provides funding
for technical assistance to ensure developments can meet the green
requirements cost effectively.
"Enterprise commends and deeply thanks Representative John Olver (D-Mass.)
for his strong and unwavering leadership to ensure that low-income families
have access to affordable housing that is healthy and energy efficient," said
Doris W. Koo, president and chief executive officer, Enterprise Community
Partners, who directed Seattle Housing Authority's successful HOPE VI
redevelopment efforts from 1994 to 2000.
The green building provisions in H.R. 3524 were first introduced by Rep.
Olver as stand-alone legislation and were incorporated into the broader HOPE
VI reauthorization bill by House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-
Mass.) and Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine
Waters (D-Calif.).
Koo added, "Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters deserve praise for their
tireless efforts to reauthorize the HOPE VI program. Their leadership has
meant not only more sustainable development but greater resident involvement
and preservation of public housing and subsidized units."
HOPE VI resources have played a critical role in the redevelopment of
severely distressed public housing nationwide since 1993. However, energy
efficiency standards have not been incorporated into HUD's selection criteria.
Nearly 17 percent of a low-income family's earnings are consumed by energy
costs and nearly 40 percent by transportation costs. Green building reduces
utility costs and increases a home's efficiency, saving a low-income family
hundreds of dollars each year.
Rep. Olver, chairman of the House Transportation-HUD Appropriations
Subcommittee, stated, "Cities and states across the country are raising the
bar on the healthiness, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility of
affordable housing based on the Green Communities Criteria approach. And they
do so because it makes good sense. With this vote, the 110th Congress had its
first opportunity to live up to the spirit of the landmark energy legislation
that recently became law. We took an important first step toward the Federal
government holding itself to a higher standard ... Low-income families and
public housing authorities are reaping the benefits from lower utility bills."
The Green Communities Criteria were created through consensus-based
processes by leading experts in building design and construction, public
health, smart growth, and environmental protection. The Criteria promote
energy efficiency, environmentally smart site planning, and the use of
building materials that foster healthier outdoor and indoor environments. Some
of the specific criteria include locating new developments near transit as
well as promoting Energy Star appliances, water conserving fixtures, and low
volatile organic compound paint.
To date, there are more than 10,000 affordable homes meeting the Green
Communities Criteria that have been completed or that are currently in
production in more than 250 developments in 25 states. For more information on
Green Communities, please visit http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org.
Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise
it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25
years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private
partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations
and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $8
billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve 225,000
affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Enterprise
is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit
http://www.enterprisecommunity.org and http://www.enterprisecommunity.com to
learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.
SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners

Tina McDaniel of Enterprise Community Partners, +1-410-772-2780,
tmcdaniel@enterprisecommunity.org