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NEWS RELEASE

July 29, 2009

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Howard County “Green” Residence Receives LEED Platinum Certification – First in Maryland

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman is proud to announce that The ARC of Howard County’s Awake House at 9359 Torrent Row in Columbia, has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design.

“Our goal was to make this the first Platinum LEED house in the state of Maryland, and I am proud of the fact that Howard County Housing was at the forefront of this effort. A lot of hard work from the private, non-profit, and governmental sectors made this happen,” said Ulman.

A credit rating of LEED Platinum corresponds to the fulfillment of all five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. LEED homes are safer, healthier, more comfortable and more durable than conventional homes. The benefits of a LEED home include: economic benefits such as lower energy and water bills, environmental benefits like reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and health benefits such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.

“As a LEED certified home, The Awake House serves as a model of greener living for the entire community,” said Nate Kredich, Vice President of Residential Market Development for the U.S. Green Building Council. “The home is at the national forefront of quality; their example can help us all to live better by reducing our environmental footprint, cutting our utility bills and coming home to a healthier place to live.”

The Awake House, owned by Supportive Living, Inc., provides 24-hour personal care for tenants with physical and/or developmental disabilities that are served by The ARC. The House, built by Columbia Builders, Inc. and designed by architectural firm DW Taylor Associates, Inc., was constructed to comply with LEED for Homes, a certification system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes and encourages the adoption of sustainable practices by the homebuilding industry. The Awake House incorporates universal and green design features so that it is suitable for both elderly and physically challenged residents. The House is 54% more energy efficient and uses 100% drought tolerant plants to reduce water use. Funding for the project was provided by Howard County Housing which awarded The Awake House with a $450,000 grant that was paid for with federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Since the Council’s founding in 1993, it has grown to more than 20,000 member companies and organizations and a comprehensive suite of LEED green building certification systems. For more information, please visit www.usgbc.org.