The New York State Assembly Committees on Housing and Environmental Conservation are holding this hearing to discuss the viability of developing affordable green housing. Making the places we live more "green" can improve the livability of housing; it is important that low-and moderate-income families have the benefit of new construction technologies. This hearing will look to assess costs of construction of new facilities, financing options for green buildings, and current incentives to take part in such projects.

Please see the reverse side for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to the committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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1. What criteria are currently used to determine if housing construction meets the current best practices? Do these standards provide sufficient information when evaluating a building's environmental impact? Are there any modifications that could be made to improve current evaluation methods?

2. How does the incorporation of "green" building practices affect the construction or redevelopment of residential housing units? Have any studies been performed that examine the reduction in environmental damage versus the cost of the improvements? What improvements have been shown to be the most efficient?

3. How can affordable housing units realistically be constructed or redeveloped while incorporating efforts to make the units or building more environmentally friendly? Does income specific affordable housing, such as low-income or middle-income, influence the viability of incorporating "green" practices? If so, how?

4. What percentage of New York's current housing stock is considered "green?" Are there any specific examples of "green" housing that are also considered affordable? If so, is this housing designated for a specific income level?

5. What options currently exist for the financing of "green" housing projects? Are available financing options adequate to meet the current demand?

6. What incentives exist for the construction of "green" housing projects? Are these incentives effective? If not, how could they be improved? Are other incentives available to encourage the development of environmentally conscious housing? If so, are there any specific examples?

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Developing Affordable Green Housing are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: