Portland, OR (January 30, 2019) – In an effort to ensure that affordable, single-family housing is also built sustainably, Earth Advantage announced it will provide its green home certification to affordable housing providers at no cost. Oregon affordable housing providers like
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI) and
Habitat for Humanity have already begun receiving no-cost Earth Advantage certifications for their most recently constructed single family homes. The certifications ensure that homes across the region are built to the highest performance and sustainability standards. Earth Advantage has certified over 17,000 single family homes and 10,000 multifamily units across Oregon and southwest Washington in its history.
Earth Advantage is waiving certification fees as part of their broader mission to accelerate the adoption of sustainable homes in Oregon. Eliminating the cost of certification ensures it is easier to build quality affordable housing that is less expensive to operate and healthier for residents. Earth Advantage certified homes are based on stringent standards that are verified through a minimum of two on-site inspections. Their staff also provide ongoing consultation during the design and construction process, helping builders achieve the best results possible.
David Heslam, executive director of Earth Advantage said this of the new policy; “Earth Advantage is committed to ensuring that the benefits of green building can be received by all Oregonians, not just the most fortunate among us. This commitment has never been more important than in the midst of our housing crisis, when there is understandable, but short-sighted, pressure to create more housing by forsaking important long-term impacts. We strongly believe that affordable housing can be provided cost-effectively while also being built to high levels of durability, comfort, and environmentally benefit.”
“Earth Advantage has been a great partner for local Habitat for Humanity affiliates over the years, helping them build high-quality homes for income qualified clients. With this new offer, their commitment to supporting green affordable housing has gone to a new level. We appreciate Earth Advantage's willingness to support Habitat's work.” said Reianna DaRosa of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon
