**** Update December 22, 2020 ****
NCBPA is pleased to report that the transition from ENERGY STAR 2.0 to the new ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Certification Program has been formally adopted as a part of the 2021 QAP program. Click here for more information on the new program standards.
**** Update October 20, 2020 ****
NCBPA attended the virtual 2021 QAP Public Hearing on September 16th with Founder & Executive Director Ryan Miller offering public comments in support of the agency’s decision to increase the minimum energy efficiency standards from ENERGY STAR 2.0 to the new ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction certification program. The second draft of the 2021 QAP standards is now available for review on the NCHFA website. Per NCHFA, the following are the significant changes:
- Set-aside added for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation funds
- Distance for maximum Amenity points increased to 1.5 miles
- Maximum development costs before negative points increased to $85,000 per unit
- First tie breaker is the least amount of 9% units created over the last 5 years
- One change that will appear in the Final Appendix B: there is no longer an alternative to hard ducting the range hood to the exterior. Hard ducting is a requirement of the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction certification program.
Contact us for more information and be on the lookout for final approval of the new and improved standards.
**** Update September 3, 2020 ****
NCBPA will be attending the virtual 2021 QAP Public Hearing on September 16th at 10am and encourages member and industry professionals to also participate to show support for the comments that we have provided, listed below. Here is the information from NCHFA:
The 2021 QAP Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020at 10:00 am. The Public Hearing will be held virtually only with no in-person attendance at the Agency. Those wishing to participate can register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the audio-only webinar.
If you would like to make a comment during the Public Hearing, please respond to this email notifying us as that will assist us in keeping the meeting as efficient as possible. We will also provide the opportunity for you to request to speak during the Public Hearing.
**** Update August 24, 2020 *****
NCBPA is pleased to report that the draft 2021 QAP includes our recommendation for the agency to transition its minimum energy efficiency standards from ENERGY STAR 2.0 to the newest ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Certification Program! This is a step in the right direction for this program that will result in better buildings and more comfortable, energy efficient and healthy residences for tenants! Click here to view the public comments in support of even greater advances, including ours and those of our partners and members!
Here is an email from our Executive Director thanking NCHFA for making this important step forward.
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) manages the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), a set of standards that details the selection criteria and application requirements for Housing Credits and tax-exempt bonds. It lists all deadlines, application fees, restrictions, standards and requirements for rental developers to be eligible for funding. The QAP includes minimum energy efficiency and building performance standards that NCBPA and our members continue to seek improvements to. The Agency proposes a new QAP each year and holds a public forum before adopting a final plan.
NCHFA has just opened up the public comment period on the First Draft of the 2021 Qualified Allocation Plan. NCBPA requests member and industry feedback on the plan and encourages member and industry professionals to submit public comments in support of increased energy efficiency and building performance requirements.
Click here to read NCBPA’s pre-public comment period recommendations from May 4, 2020 as well as our comments on the 2020 QAP. NCBPA’s current recommendations include raising the minimum standards to a level equivalent to the ENERGY STAR Multifamily Program (similar to version 3.0) and providing incentives/points for developers that commit to additional energy efficiency and building performance improvements.
Click here to read the First Draft of the 2021 QAP.
Take Action:
- Submit your feedback to NCHFA directly by August 26, 2020 by emailing rentalhelp@nchfa.com.
- Submit your feedback to NCBPA at Info@BuildingNC.org for inclusion in our consolidated comments that will be sent on August 25, 2020.
