Major QAP proposed changes diminish passive house building incentives

Advocate to protect passive house building in the
Connecticut Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSE TOMORROW, JULY 6TH

One of our ongoing advocacy initiatives is to ensure PH tax incentives are available for developers through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. These tax credits have a powerful impact on a developer's decision to build healthy, low energy buildings for affordable housing.

The Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) designates these tax credits in the form of points for meeting various qualifications. It’s a compelling document that greatly influences how affordable housing is built. It has the power to leverage tax credits for meeting sustainability measures, which further contributes to the state’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emission and increasing the resiliency of our building stock.

CTPH has reviewed the proposed 2020 QAP sustainable design section and concludes the proposed changes to be major and disruptive to passive house building in our state.

The plan proposes a reduction in overall points in the sustainable design section.
- Decreased from 7 to 6 points
- The change is contradictory to the state’s increased emphasis on sustainability
Emphasis on passive house standard is diminished.
- Passive house is no longer receiving the highest amount of points. (3) plus one additional point for most cost-effective (4 max)
- PH is now grouped with other standards that are not equal in energy performance, which is critical to our ability to meet the mandated reduction in GHG emissions: 2030 & 2050.

Once more, we need your voice and support.

Please write to CHFA and our government leaders to encourage them to strengthen Connecticut's momentum towards energy and sustainability goals and continue to use tax incentives to promote healthy, comfortable buildings for the sector of the population who would most benefit.

Short on time? No worries!
Follow these simple steps and get your comment submitted in a few minutes...

STEP 1
DOWNLOAD OUR TEMPLATE LETTER

Click on THIS LINK to download an editable Word document.

STEP 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Customize the letter with your info.
Here's a portion of what you'll see:

"I am a resident of ______________ and am involved in my community as a ______________ (environmental steward, business owner, developer, contractor, parent, teacher, health care professional etc.). I care about this issue because ______________."

If you have time to spare, add more information.

STEP 3
SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS

Save your document and send it to:

CHFA
PublicComment@chfa.org

Seila Mosquera- Bruno
CHFA Board Chair
Seila.Mosquera-Bruno@ct.gov

Heidi DeWyngaert
CHFA Board Vice Chair
hdewyngaert@mybankwell.com

Governor Ned Lamont
via web form

Lisa Tepper-Bates
Senior Director of Housing and Transit Oriented Development
lisa.tepperbates@ct.gov

GOOD GOING!
THE SIMPLE ACT OF SENDING AN EMAIL IS CONTRIBUTING TO POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocating agency for the State of Connecticut. The federal LIHTC program requires each state agency that allocates tax credits to have a Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP sets out the state's eligibility priorities and criteria for awarding federal tax credits to housing properties.

Want more details?

Read the proposal Section V, Item 2 here
Review the QAP comparison here
Read CTPH's official response here

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