Q-and-A with Michelle Foster
Michelle champions affordable, high‑performance housing. She runs NGBS Green, a national certification program based on the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard ICC‑700. The program has certified over 650,000 homes, with another 500,000 in the pipeline. Previously at Fannie Mae, she launched the Smart Commute Mortgage, revamped the Energy Efficient Mortgage, and pioneered a method to quantify and sell home energy savings as carbon credits. Off the clock, Michelle leads Friends of Montgomery Hills, working to make her Silver Spring neighborhood more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly. A UVA-trained urban planner with an environmental degree from SUNY-ESF, she’s committed to turning big sustainability ideas into real-world results.
What is the NGBS?
The National Green Building Standard ICC-700 (NGBS) is the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. Developed through a consensus process and part of the International Code Council’s suite of I-Codes, the NGBS offers a comprehensive, flexible framework to design, build, and certify homes and multifamily buildings to higher standards of efficiency, sustainability, and performance. Whether it’s a single-family home, a high-rise, or a mixed-use community, the NGBS provides a scalable path to third-party certification, with rigorous quality assurance built into every project.
When do you predict the completion of NGBS 2025?
We expect the 2025 NGBS to be published in late Fall 2025. While we’re excited to bring this update to the market, we’re not yet setting a sunset date for the 2020 NGBS. That’s intentional. Many states are still operating under a wide variety of baseline codes, and we want to give builders and developers the flexibility to choose the version that best aligns with their local market and project needs.
With NGBS Green heading quickly toward the 700,000 certifications mark, how do you think this update will affect the momentum?
Approaching 700,000 certifications is a remarkable milestone, and a sign that the market is responding to a trusted, third-party certified path to better building. The 2025 update will help accelerate that momentum by offering even greater flexibility, aligning more closely with emerging code requirements, and providing a clear roadmap for builders and developers looking to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and performance-driven housing market.
What makes NGBS Green stand out against other green or energy-specific certifications?
What really sets the NGBS Green apart is the rigorous third-party verification that underpins every certification. Independent NGBS Green Verifiers conduct on-site inspections and documentation review to ensure that buildings meet the rigorous requirements of the standard. That QA process gives developers, owners, and lenders confidence in the integrity of the certification—and in the performance of the building itself.
Another differentiator is how well the NGBS supports builders in meeting—and exceeding—evolving energy codes and sustainability expectations. It’s a proactive tool that helps builders stay competitive, not just compliant.
Can you give us a sneak peek about something that excites you in the 2025 NGBS?
What excites me most about the 2025 NGBS is how adaptable it is. Whether you’re a builder just starting to incorporate green practices or a high-performance expert delivering zero energy, resilient, or wellness-focused projects, the 2025 NGBS gives you the flexibility to chart your own path. It meets builders where they are—and gives them the tools and recognition to go further.
With third-party verification, unmatched flexibility, and a proven track record across hundreds of thousands of homes, the NGBS Green isn’t just keeping up with the market—it’s setting the standard. Contact us if we can help you certify your next project or navigate what’s ahead in the 2015 NGBS.
