Welcome! 

Now is the time to move green affordable housing techniques from best practice to normal practice. That’s the goal of Enterprise Green Communities. Join us on this journey and explore our green rating system, certification program and technical resources. We applaud your commitment to green affordable homes – and we’re here to support you.

What’s New

New! The Green Communities Zero-Over-Time Standard

Enterprise Green Communities releases the ZOT Standard; a new offering that positions developers to plan for deep energy retrofits over the course of 20 years or less. Access the following tools to begin your ZOT journey and reach out to certification@enterprisecommunity.org with questions!  

• Review the steps for completing a ZOT building audit, including key actions and outputs, in the Decarbonization Zero-Over-Time Audit Protocol: A Comprehensive Framework 

• Looking for an example of on how to organize your ZOT audit outputs? Download the Zero-Over-Time Sample Audit Report & Template

• Follow the Making it Happen: Creating Your Zero-Over-Time Plan road map to translate a ZOT building audit into a meaningful and actionable ZOT plan for your property.

• Who should complete a ZOT decarbonization audit? Download the ZOT Qualifications summary to guide your team.
• The ZOT Standard Template is now available to support you as you frame your ZOT plan and work towards the  Green Communities Zero-Over-Time Standard!

And catch the January 16th recording of the introduction to Green Communities Zero-Over-Time. 

Updates & Events

• The Materials Tracking Template , intended to streamline documentation for Criteria 6.4 and 6.5, is now REQUIRED for all postbuild submissions as of September 30, 2024. Test it out!
• Check out the following advanced performance addenda and updates to the 2020 Criteria:  
  • We're now recognizing developments designed and built to the highest level of certification, Certification Plus, while also eliminating combustion on site with a new level of Certification, Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus Zero Emissions. 
  • See how we've aligned this update to 2020 Criterion 5.4 and Green Communities Certification Plus with the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, Part I: Operating Emissions.  
  • The Addendum 5.2b Moving to Zero Energy: Near Zero Certification, Prioritizing the Path to Certification Plus for Existing Buildings pilot has launched! Read through the addendum to understand how you can engage with the new pathway and provide direct feedback to our team to help inform the future of the Criteria. 

                   Note: This new information is also outlined in the recording of our recent workshop on Certification Plus Zero Emissions

• Have questions about your Green Communities certification projects? Attend upcoming Green Communities Office Hours!

Using The Site

Design Your Building to Meet the 2020 Criteria

• Get to know the requirements to certify: Use the filter mechanism on the Criteria menu to view the requirements and options applicable to your project’s construction type and setting.
• Collaborate with your project team: Print a PDF of your checklist to share with project team members or download a working Excel checklist to track and score your criteria goals offline.
• Stay up to date on all 2020 Green Communities Addenda and FAQs, and program news.

Learn About Green Building Certification

• Use certification to assess and recognize your buildings that achieve Enterprise’s green requirements. Review our step-by-step overview of certification.
• Download customizable templates, tools and calculators for your green building certification submittal.

Certification Resources

• As DOE recently released ZERH, Version 1, Revision 9 and ZERH Version 2 for use by multifamily buildings of any height, the temporary pathway for Criteria 5.2b published via Addenda to the 2020 Criteria for projects seeking compliance with 5.2b in District of Columbia is no longer available as of January 1, 2024. Review the DOE Program Version Affective Dates for additional guidance.
• Here's an updated guide for compliance with Criteria 8.5, Energy and Water Data Collection & Monitoring, including clarity for engaging with WegoWise to certify.
• Download the 2020 Certification Documentation Instructions recently updated for clarity.
• Questions on what to expect when submitting your certification application? Check out the Review Process FAQ .

Certification stories

•  The First-Ever Green Communities Certification Plus Project in Fort Collins, Colorado
• Green, Healthy Affordable Homes: A Bronx Community Rises to the Challenge
•  How to Build Green Affordable Homes
• Check out our case studies and learn what your peers are accomplishing with Green Communities!

Contact Us

• Reach out to our team at certification@enterprisecommunity.org with any questions.
• Learn more about Enterprise’s commitment to building healthy, efficient, environmentally resilient homes and communities.