What's happening
This bill creates an affordable residential green building program, offering incentives for energy-efficient, environmentally responsible housing for low-income homebuyers.
Why it matters
Targets low- and moderate-income homebuyers. by tying "affordable" eligibility to specific income limits, potentially expanding green housing access to households that often face barriers to energy-efficient homes.
Aims to reduce the environmental footprint. of new residential developments by incentivizing smart growth, energy efficiency, use of environmentally responsible materials, and reductions in waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Establishes official standards and oversight. by requiring the creation of new rules, criteria, and annual public reporting, which could drive consistency and accountability in green building practices for affordable housing.
Could lower utility costs and improve health outcomes. for residents by promoting energy savings, efficient resource use, and healthier indoor environments, directly benefiting those most sensitive to housing and energy expenses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Green Homes Affordable
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Approval memo.53
- Signed chap.486
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.477
- Substituted for A4969A
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 5 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.1264
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 3746a
- Amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Build Green Affordable Homes
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3746--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 26, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, AKSHAR, HOYLMAN, LATIMER, SERRANO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the affordable residential green building program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1872-a to read as follows:
§ 1872-a. Affordable residential green building program. Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the authority shall establish and administer a program pursuant to standards and criteria established by the authority which would provide incentives to owners for the construction of new residential buildings which are affordable. For purposes of this section, "affordable" means where the homebuyer has a household income which does not exceed the income limits defined by the state of New York mortgage agency low interest rate mortgage program in the non-target, one-and two-person household category for the county where such property is located. Such incentives shall be available based upon the use of design and building techniques established or promulgated by the authority which promote smart growth and smart planning, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, facilitate the incorporation of environmentally responsible products, promote the efficient use of all heating fuels and natural resources, reduce waste and create a healthy indoor living environment while maintaining affordability for household incomes as provided in this section. The authority shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish affordable green residential building standards and criteria, in addition to administrative regulations for implementation of such program. The authority shall prepare an annual report on such program which shall be posted on the authority's website.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05149-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the affordable residential green building program
Purpose
This bill would require the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority ("NYSERDA") to establish a program to provide incentives to owners for the construction of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable affordable residential homes. Such homes would comply with design and building techniques promulgated by NYSERDA.
Summary of provisions
This bill would require NYSERDA to provide incentives for construction of residential homes, which are affordable pursuant to SONYMA income limits. NYSERDA would establish criteria for design and building standards.
Justification
An incentive program for green residential buildings, which are affordable to New Yorkers, is essential to making energy efficiency and green construction techniques mainstream for the housing market. An affordable housing approach should be designed which targets new, affordable residential construction with a positive impact on energy efficiency, greenhouse gases and the economy.
Green building practices can reduce the production of greenhouse gases, lower energy costs and reduce the use of natural resources. Residential buildings account for approximately 20% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, as well as 74% of water usage and 21% of energy consumption in the United States. Encouraging affordable housing with energy efficiency standards and green construction techniques is critical to making a real impact on the built environment in New York State.
Green building requirements include improved environmental performance in site preparation, water efficiency, energy efficiency, building materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Penetration in the affordable residential home market for green, energy efficient building measures fills a void in the market.
The use of NYSERDA grants is justifiable because it is necessary to commoditize affordable green residential construction so it is not exclusively available to upper income New Yorkers. This program would create demand for green residences among many first time homebuyers. It would have positive economic and environmental benefits. This program provides a market incentive to stimulate the affordable housing market, where there is a market gap in terms of the affordable market. NYSERDA would fulfill its role as an enabler of markets under the construct of this legislation.
Legislative history
2015-16 - S. 5663 - Passed Senate/A. 9903 - Energy Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.