Green Practices

Affordable housing funded by the City is a long-term community investment. The Office of Housing is dedicated to supporting sustainable building practices from construction to management. Our guiding principles include:

• Cost-effective to build, durable and practical to maintain
• Results in a high quality, healthy living environment
• Reduces utility costs to residents
• Enhances the residents' connection to nature
• Protects the environment by conserving resources, including energy, water and materials
• Advances the health of local and regional ecosystems

The Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS) criteria is a benchmark for sustainable performance, developed for projects applying to the Washington State Housing Trust Fund. The Seattle Office of Housing has adopted these standards for City-funded affordable housing projects. The ESDS criteria safeguards health and safety, increases energy and water efficiency, promotes sustainable living, and preserves the environment.

Download the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards to understand these standards in detail. To learn more about the process of attaining funding from the Office of Housing, visit Funding Announcements and Applications.