Minnesota Housing Multifamily Sustainable Housing Standards

Background

On February 22, 2007, the Minnesota Housing Board approved the following Sustainable Housing Policy to serve as guidance in considering various sustainable or green building elements:

Minnesota Housing encourages sustainable, healthy housing that optimizes the use of cost effective durable building materials and systems and that minimizes the consumption of natural resources both during construction/rehabilitation and in the long-term maintenance and operation.

We encourage optimizing the use of renewable resources and energy, minimizing damage and impact to the environment, and maximizing the use of natural amenities such as (solar, wind, climate, and orientation) of the development site.

In an effort to implement this policy Minnesota Housing has developed Multifamily Sustainable Housing Standards (see below) which shall form part of the required design standards applicable for all new construction projects unless exempt or a waiver is granted by Minnesota Housing.  Please be aware Multifamily Sustainable Housing Standards will likely change each year.  Refer to the version applicable for the year you are applying for funding.  The initial year you received Minnesota Housing funding for a particular development dictates applicable standards even if subsequent funding is requested and/or received from another year.

Besides complying with applicable Multifamily Sustainable Housing Standards, Minnesota Housing also encourages exploring additional ways to promote public health, energy conservation, operational savings, and sustainable building practices that are proven to be cost effective.  Ongoing reporting/monitoring may be required for any strategy approved for implementation.

2007 Sustainable Housing Design Standards

2008 Sustainable Housing Design Standards (Utilizes the 2007 Sustainable Housing Design Standards)