Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM)

Green Property Management Initiative 

The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) offer the Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM) to on-site managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff based on green building principles and best practices, and HUD Office of Affordable Preservation (OAHP) established guidelines, with training offered by OAHP-recognized trainers.

The Credential for Green Property Management will provide management companies and owners a mechanism for meeting their initial and ongoing training commitments to OAHP if they have opted for a green Mark-to-Market restructuring.

The Credential for Green Property Management is not restricted to employees of management companies who have opted for OAHP green restructuring. This credential will also benefit on-site managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff at other affordable and conventional apartment communities employing Green Operations and Maintenance Practices.

What are the Credential for Green Property Management Requirements?

The HUD Office of Affordable Preservation (OAHP) requires that projects going through the Green Initiative, which will receive the full benefits of a green restructure (including a maximum 50% increase in the Incentive Performance Fee, and a reduction in required owner contribution to as little as 3% of green rehabilitation costs), must have on-site managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff certified in green building principles and practices. This requirement can be met by completing a total of 16 hours of training in a variety of green building topics.

Initial Requirements

Within six months after the Mark-to-Market (M2M) Green Initiative closing, the property owner must provide evidence to OAHP that an individual in property management (on-site staff, on-site lead maintenance person, or their direct supervisor) has completed a minimum of 16 hours of training in the required topics and from an accepted provider. Each of the following topics must be covered in the training, with a cumulative total of at least 8 hours in these areas:

  • Green Building Principles and Practices Overview
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Water Efficiency
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Green Operations and Maintenance

Other topics that may be included in the 16-hour requirement include:

  • Green Site Landscaping, Xeriscape, Composting, etc.
  • Green Building Systems
  • Alternative Energy Sources (Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Combined Heat and
    Power, Co-generation)
  • Energy Star (including indoor and outdoor lighting) and WaterSense Programs
  • Recycling and Waste Reduction
  • Resident Green Education
Ongoing Requirements
In addition, a minimum total of four hours per year of continuing education in any of the above 12 topics is required to renew the Credential for Green Property Management.
Delivery Methods
All training must be delivered by a provider accepted by OAHP (listed below). The initial and ongoing training can be instructor-led classes, on-line courses, training seminars, association or industry training sessions, college or university courses, or other widely-recognized training. Property owners/ managers may contract with accepted providers to deliver training to the on-site staff, on-site lead maintenance person, or their direct supervisor.
Allowable Property Expenses
Currently Accepted Green Property Management Training Providers (and their websites) (approved by HUD OAHP)
How to Apply

All applications should be sent to Green Credential, c/o NAHMA, 400 N. Columbus St., Suite 203, Alexandria, VA 22314.

For more details on the credential program, please email Natasha Patterson, or phone 703-683-8630, ext 117.

Application fee: $160
Annual Renewal fee: $135