Green Initiatives in Affordable Housing

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Friday, April 3, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location
Nixon Peabody LLP
100 Summer Street
Boston, MA

Sponsored by: The Affordable Housing Committee of the Real Estate Section and the Environmental Law Section

There is a growing emphasis on the environmental performance of affordable housing projects. Many governmental authorities are incentivizing – if not requiring – green building practices to be incorporated into the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of affordable housing. Attorneys need to be well-versed in the financing tools, deal structures, and zoning incentives available to assist their clients in constructing and rehabilitating environmentally sensitive projects in a cost-effective manner. Attorneys also need to be familiar with new policies, laws, regulations and practices to keep up with the changing marketplace, particularly in light of the emphasis on renewable energy incentives in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This program will provide participants with an overview of the important fiscal, economic and environmental considerations related to affordable housing projects at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Legal topics to be addressed include: (i) liability and risk issues, (ii) the use of states’ Qualified Allocation Plans for housing tax credits to shape green policy, and (iii) the use of solar energy tax credits, low income housing tax credits, and new markets tax credits in support of green affordable housing, as well as program changes (including the new energy grant program) resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Additionally, participants will learn about certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and the City of Boston’s new design standards and other green policies. Finally, through case studies, participants will take away “lessons learned” by local developers in financing green housing projects, including new construction and retro-fits, and providing solar-generated electricity for their residents.

Agenda:

1. Welcoming Remarks and Introductions
2. An Overview: Big Picture of Green Building and Affordable Housing
3. Federal Housing Policies: Issues and Incentives for Greening Our Federally-Subsidized and Public Housing
4. Use of Solar Energy Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and New Markets Tax Credits in Support of Green Affordable Housing, as well as Program Changes (including the New Energy Grant Program) Resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
5. Boston’s Green Affordable Housing Policies, Guidelines and Incentives
6. Case Studies: Developers’ Perspectives on the Costs & Benefits of Going Green, including Performance Contracting and Financing Resources for Energy Upgrades
7. Current Trends, Q&A and Wrap-Up

Speakers/Panelists:

Jeffrey S. Lesk, Esq.
Nixon Peabody LLP

David M. Abromowitz, Esq.
Goulston & Storrs

James W. Hunt, III
Chief of Environmental and Energy Services, City of Boston

Noah T. Maslan
Director of Real Estate, Urban Edge

Forrest David Milder, Esq.
Nixon Peabody LLP

Peter Daly
Executive Director, Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc.

Sarah Barnat
Project Manager, Trinity Financial


Program Co-chairs

Dayna M. Hutchins, Esq.
Holland & Knight LLP

Sarah Boehs, Esq.
Nixon Peabody LLP

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