Colorado Housing Facility Becomes 500,000th Home Certified to National Green Building Standard

Bluebird, a permanent supportive housing facility in Boulder, Colo., recently became the 500,000th green home to the National Green Building Standard (NGBS). Bluebird is a housing tax credit project providing permanent supportive housing to those experiencing homelessness.

The NGBS Green program, administered by Home Innovation Research Labs, is a comprehensive and rigorous certification that recognizes homes for their commitment to sustainability. Achieving this milestone highlights the growing commitment of home owners, builders and communities across the nation to create more sustainable and resilient living spaces.

“We are thrilled to reach the monumental achievement of certifying the 500,000th green home in the NGBS Green program,” said Michelle Foster, VP of Sustainability at Home Innovation Research Labs, in a press release. “This accomplishment underscores the industry’s commitment to the design and construction of sustainable buildings that have a smaller impact on the planet and a big impact on the resident’s lives. Bluebird also showcases the positive impact that sustainable housing can have on our communities.”

Key features of this project, which achieved NGBS Silver certification, include:

• Above-code envelope,
• ENERGY STAR appliances,
• WaterSense-equivalent plumbing fixtures,
• High-efficiency cold-climate packaged heat pumps,
• Central energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which reduces energy consumption, and provides improved climate resilience and indoor air quality, and
• Onsite solar PV system that reduces the energy cost burden on tenants and decreases the building’s greenhouse gas emissions by 12%.

In consideration of its resident population, the building has been designed with trauma-informed design strategies to provide a safe, supportive space for people who have been homeless for years. The site is also located in a central area of Boulder with easy access to bike paths, walking trails and public transportation, and each resident gets a free bus pass.

The NGBS Green program provides a framework for builders and developers to construct homes that are not only energy-efficient but also healthier for occupants and kinder to the environment. The certification process evaluates various aspects of a home, including energy performance, water usage, indoor air quality and resource efficiency. By meeting the stringent criteria set forth by the NGBS Green program, home owners can be confident that their homes are contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Learn more about the NGBS Green program at homeinnovation.com. For additional resources, visit the Sustainability and Green Building section on nahb.org.