The U.S. Green Building Council and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced the opening of the 2012 Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program. Applications will be accepted from now until Aug. 10, 2012.

The program, made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, awards $25,000 cash and educational resources to developers of affordable housing committed to building sustainable communities through the LEED for Neighborhood Development program.
 
A review committee of industry leaders will award ten affordable green neighborhood projects with the following support:
     
  • Cash award of $25,000 to be used to pursue LEED for Neighborhood Development certification;
  • Complimentary LEED for Neighborhood Development Reference Guide;
  • Registration for an online LEED for Neighborhood Development webinar;
  • Registration for a LEED for Neighborhood Development workshop;
  • $300 discount on USGBC national membership;
  • Fully refunded LEED for Neighborhood Development project registration fee by the Green Building Certification Institute;
  • Access to USGBC technical assistance and monthly conference calls;
  • One registration for the National Affordable Green Homes & Sustainable Communities Summit during the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Calif.
Applicants for the program will be notified of their status in mid-September, and recipients will be announced in November.