The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and its Tax Credit and Green Homes Office divisions have been ranked 3rd in the nation in Global Green USA's 2009 Analysis of Green Building Criteria for state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs.  Global Green's review of state LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plans shows significant progress being made in the effort to make green building measures standard practice in affordable housing.

Global Green USA analyzed LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plans and any referenced documents to rate the inclusion of green building strategies in four categories - Smart Growth, Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation and Health Protection.  Points were awarded in each category with a maximum of 55 points available.  NJHMFA received a score of 44 out of 55 points - resulting in a 3rd place tie with Washington State.

Some of the green features included in New Jersey's LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plan include (1) a requirement for ENERGY STAR Certification, or equivalent; (2) the inclusion of a Green Point for either microload home construction, LEED certification, Green Future participation or installation of a Solar Photovoltaic system; (3) points for the inclusion of ENERGY STAR appliances and (4) various other points in the areas of access to public transportation, development in designated growth areas and site selection near positive community resources.