Pool of LEED-Certified Homes in the U.S. Surpasses 10,000 Mark

Washington, D.C.–It’s a big accomplishment in the world of green development. The U.S. Green Building Council recently announced that more than 10,000 residential properties in the country have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation through the organization’s three-year-old LEED for Homes Program.

In addition to single-family residences, market-rate and affordable multifamily housing contributed to the success. Salishan 7, a 91-unit affordable housing community in Tacoma, Wash., holds the distinction of being the 10,000th property to obtain LEED for Homes status. The Tacoma Housing Authority developed Salishan 7, and Walsh Construction Co. served as the builder of the property, which was the first federally funded HOPE VI Redevelopment project to secure LEED Platinum certification.

“LEED certification is becoming more and more important as a recognized market tool to show the environmental stewardship of a building,” Kelley Beamer, an advocacy and outreach manager with the Cascadia Green Building Council, tells MHN. Cascadia GBC is the local chapter of the USGBC representing Washington, Oregon, Alaska and British Columbia. “Energy prices are escalating and the population is increasing so when we make more energy-efficient buildings, people are going to see savings. LEED for Homes sets a standard for incorporating and evaluating energy-efficient features in homes.”

Of course, it’s not all about money. “The built environment accounts for 40 percent of CO2 emissions in the country, so when you have a rigorous third-party certification system in place, you can reduce that impact,” Beamer adds.

All told, 10,161 homes have obtained LEED for Homes certification and the number continues to climb. Presently, there are 38,000 units in the development pipeline that are on track to secure the coveted green certification.