Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of the Growing a Greener Mississippi competition?
  The competition will spur the development of green housing in Mississippi by demonstrating that green homes can be built affordably.
• Why support green building in Mississippi?
  Green building methods increase the affordability of homeownership and lower the environmental impact of homebuilding. We feel both of these goals fit into MHC's mission of providing the opportunity for safe, decent, and affordable housing to Mississippians.
• Why now?
  MHC has been implementing green building requirements into its Qualified Allocation Plan over the past several years. This competition represents the next step in MHC's continued support of green building in Mississippi.
• How will MHC ensure the homes built for the competition are affordable?
  Under the Growing a Greener Mississippi guidelines, the homes entered in the competition must either sell for no more than $175,000 or be eligible for MHC's Housing Tax Credit program, which serves Mississippians who earn 60% of the Area Median Income or below.
• Who is eligible to participate in the Growing a Greener Mississippi competition?
  The competition is open to anyone capable of meeting the requirements and goals of the competition. Builders must be licensed in Mississippi.
• What are the prizes?
  
  • 1st Place $50,000
  • 2nd Place $30,000
  • 3rd Place $20,000
• Who will judge the winners?
  An independent panel of five judges will decide the winners. The judges represent other green initiatives and housing groups from across the country.
• Who will fund the competition?
  The Mississippi Home Corporation will fund the competition, but we are looking for interested sponsors.
• When will the winners be announced?
  The winners will be announced at the Corporation's next annual affordable housing conference in January 2010.
• What are the building requirements?
  In addition to meeting the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, Level Bronze or above, contest entries must meet the requirements of the 2006 International Building Code. Coastal entries must meet the additional requirements related to flooding and wind.
• How do people enter the competition?
  Registration will be available online at www.mshc.com. MHC will charge a registration fee of $500 for each entry.
• Are there any deadlines as to when an entrant must enter the competition?
  The only deadline for the competition is that the entrant must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the appropriate local regulating office by November 6, 2009.