The Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS)

"...Development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."-World Commission on Environment and Development

The Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard has been developed to set a minimum level of sustainable performance for projects that will apply to the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) after July 1, 2008.  The current version is 1.2.

Criteria

These criteria have been reviewed by stakeholders, and are intended as a first step in setting a standard for affordable housing development funded by the HTF.  The Housing Trust Fund reserves the right to update this document prior to the implementation date.

• 70 criteria;
• 33 are mandatory although not all of them apply to every project;
• 37 are optional with varying numbers of points to provide numerous ways to accumulate the necessary point total to pass the threshold;
• New construction projects must earn 50 points;
• Rehabilitation projects must earn 40 points, and;
• All projects must meet the applicable mandatory criteria.

ESDS Forms and Instructions

• ESDS Guidelines and Procedures-  This is a document that explains how the Evergreen Standard is integrated in the Housing Trust Fund process.  It explains the responsibilities of the Project Sponsor, the Sustainable Development Project Manager, and the Third Party Verifier.  It also specifies the steps that are followed regarding application, contracting, and verification.
• Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard Criteria v1.2 - This document has a Table of Contents with links to major sections and lists each of the 70 criteria along with its intent and other things to consider.  Included are 2 appendices that provide options for complying with the increased energy efficiency requirements for new construction and rehabilitation.
• Evergreen Checklist v.1.2 - This is an Excel file that lists all of the criteria and the project sponsor designates the mandatory criteria that apply to the project and optional criteria chosen for the project.  The Checklist is submitted with the Housing Trust Fund application.
• Evergreen Project Plan Instructions v.1 - This document gives specific instructions on how to correctly and sufficiently complete the Evergreen Project Plan.
• Evergreen Project Plan v.1 - This is the form that is used to submit the project's Evergreen plan to the HTF Contract Manager after the project has been awarded Housing Trust Funds.
• ESDS Responsibilities Matrix v.1 - This document provides direction regarding the responsibilities of the design team and the general contractor including how they overlap in the implementation of the Evergreen Standard.
• Evergreen Homeowner's Manual (Example) - This document gives a template for developing a homeowner's manual as required by Criterion 8-2.  While portions of this give a Seattle specific context, it can be adapted to your local area.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 - This manual provides practical cost effective options for meeting select criteria along with background information and resources for a variety of products and services.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 Appendix 1.1.a - This document is an example of a green development plan as required by ESDS Criterion 1-1.  It provides you with a basic format to meet the requirements.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 Appendix 1.1.b - This document is an example section 018113 which has been adapted to the ESDS and includes requirements which will be the responsibility of the contractor to implement.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 Appendix 4.1 - This is a document that contains information about where to find water conserving fixtures including toilets, showerheads, kitchen faucets, and bathroom faucets.  This is not an exhaustive list and no products or businesses are endorsed.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 Appendix 6.1 - This document is a case study about implementing a waste reduction and recycling program at a commercial construction site.  It gives a lot of good practical advice on how to do it right while cutting costs.
• ESDS User's Manual v1.3 Appendix 7.1 - This is a document that contains information about where to find low/no VOC products including paints, primers, caulks, sealants, adhesives, carpet, and carpet pads.  This is not an exhaustive list and no products or businesses are endorsed.

                                                                                                          

ESDS Trainings and Workshops

• None currently scheduled.  Please check back in periodically for upcoming trainings and workshops.

The following are supplemental documents to the ESDS "Own It Green" training:

• Own It Green Resource List
• Own It Green O&M Task List and Schedule
• Own It Green Guidance Document

Helpful Links

• ESDS Related Documents
• Green Building Links
• RCW 39.35D.080 (ESDS's statutory requirements)

Contact Information

For further information or questions on Sustainable Development, contact Greg Black, Senior Asset Manager at (360) 725-2916.

(updated 5/26/09)