HCR 9% and HFA 4% Bond projects committing to funding in New York State must commit to higher sustainability and energy efficiency standards. These requirements are found in the Design Handbook Appendix F. Projects must choose from the list of mandatory energy efficiency strategies listed below:
NYSERDA New Construction – Housing Program
Moderate Rehab: 20% improvement, or bring to code
The projects also have the opportunity to differentiate and provide green building points for their submissions in the HCR 9% RFP. The points obtained for each program include:
NYSERDA New Construction – Housing Program Tier 3 – 3 Points, Tier 4 – 5 Points
LEED for Homes – 3 Points
Enterprise Green Communities 2020 – 3 Points 2020 Plus – 5 Points
National Green Building Standard – 3 Points
Multifamily Performance Program (moderate rehabs only) – 30% Savings – 3 points, 35% Savings – 5 Points
As of 2021 the HCR Design Handbook also increased requirements for all projects, and has included a push toward electrification of all systems including heating, cooling, and hot water to meet the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The handbook suggests higher performance insulation systems and recommends exploring energy recovery ventilation as project efficiency increases, and mandates electric vehicle charging stations at all projects.
Contact Sustainable Comfort early in the process to assist in program selection, and to help maximize incentives such as the Clean Heat Program, Charge Ready New York, 45L Federal Tax Credit, and all NYSERDA program incentives to achieve these goals.