About Green Building

The Keystone Green Building Initiative™ is "Greening the American Dream"

What Is Green Building?

Green building is a catch-all phrase used to describe environmentally friendly construction. It includes many different aspects of the home, from planting shade trees to save energy to installing water efficient plumbing. But, while green building is driven by a desire to reduce the environmental impact of your home, it's also good for you.

Green homes consider your pocketbook. They cost less to heat, cool and maintain, and—if you ever decide to sell—they're usually worth more.

Green homes consider your health. Because they're built to minimize chemicals, mold and other harmful substances, they protect you and your family from exposure.

Green homes are quality homes. They're built for durability, so they require less maintenance.

Buy a home that's good for you and the environment: buy green.

HISTORY OF THE HBA

The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Bucks and Montgomery Counties is a local trade association with 700 member companies each with an interest in and dedication to the provision of safe and affordable housing. Representative of home builders and developers, brokers, material suppliers, skilled trade contractors and laborers, utility companies, mortgage lenders, attorneys, real estate professionals and many others involved in the homebuilders industry, HBA members aim to assist residents by turning the American Dream into a reality.

Founded almost 70 years ago, a group of builders and developers named their organization the Home Builders Association of Philadelphia and Suburban Counties. The group first met in 1937 to define the policies and goals of the HBA. By 1942, the Association became a charter member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and in the late 1970's the Association changed their name to the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The association became so successful that two satellite offices were established to better accommodate the tremendous growth of Philadelphia's suburban areas. One office served Chester and Delaware counties and one office served Bucks and Montgomery counties. This led to the dissolution of the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the creation of the HBA of Chester/Delaware Counties and the HBA of Bucks and Montgomery Counties in the late 1980's. The Bucks/Montgomery chapter was formally chartered by NAHB in January 1988.

Since its conception, the HBA has assisted communities in becoming flourishing, healthy and vibrant places to live. They continue to effectively advocate for the home building industry and operate as an infinite resource of education, support, and coalition building.

Through the preservation and revitalization of existing housing, as well as the enhancement of homeownership opportunities for all income levels, the home building industry is experiencing profound and positive impacts in each of the counties. The HBA produces results aimed at growth and prosperity and is proud to be a channel of achievement for the American Dream.