On October 18th 2007 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 1460, which will provide additional incentives for builders who use sustainable methods in construction funded under the state’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP).
[To date the MHP has received $800 million in funding through Proposition 46 and $590 million through Proposition 1C.]
Previously existing law established the Department of Community Housing and a set of rules, including a point system, for prioritizing certain types of development, construction and rehabilitation, especially those in proximity to public transit, public schools, parks or job centers. The new law amends the old legislation to include among projects receiving priority points those using “Sustainable building methods established in accordance with the criteria listed under paragraph (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 10325 of Title 4 of the California Code of Regulations.” The cited building methods are not especially complex. With regard to the pipe trades, they include, “Use of natural gas for space heating,” and “Use of either . . . flow restrictors on kitchen (2gpm) and bathroom faucets (1.5gpm) or dual flush toilets.” For additional information, see California Department of Housing and Community Development, Multifamily Housing Program, at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/mhp/ and California Code of Regulations, Title 4, Section 17, at http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/CTCAC/programreg/100504_adopted.pdf Michael McGrorty
