Agenda Finalized for 2026 Next Generation Water Summit The agenda for the 2026 Next Generation Water Summit (NGWS) will consist of 26 live sessions, including the debut of a track devoted to rural topics.

The Next Generation Water Summit brings together the building and development community, water reuse professionals and water policymakers in a collaborative setting.

Housing trends are starting to overlap:

Affordability
Climate risk
Policy

A subtle shift—but one worth watching.

www.greenbuildermedia.com/blog/affordability-clima...

3 Cities Win Coveted Sustainability Award Sustainable cities come in three forms: the beginners, the ongoing, and the examples of success.

The three recipients represent different-sized locales but they’re all tackling the question of how they can best become a leader by demonstrating—and promoting—environmental correctness.

• White House housing deregulation efforts
• Rising utility affordability concerns
• Wildfire-ready codes
• State + city sustainability initiatives
• AI + mass timber trends shaping the future of building

Watch This Week's Sustainable Building News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUIcLpjOu94

The End of the Starter Home Mindset First-time buyers are evolving faster than the entry-level housing models designed for them.

First-time buyers are evolving faster than the entry-level housing models designed for them.

Net Zero and Resilient Home Standouts Here are four more homes worthy of a callout for sustainable design.

Don't miss these projects which took honorable mention awards in our 2026 Green Home of the Year Awards.

ICYMI: Your sustainable news recap—Federal housing cuts may redefine HUD priorities, D.R. Horton faces plumbing lawsuits over PEX failures, FEMA opens $1B resilience funding round, AI is reshaping architecture, Builders value resilience—but buyers still lag

https://youtu.be/L-HvlA0mH6Y

Housing signals this week:

• Federal budget could shift housing strategy
• PEX lawsuits raise durability questions
• $1B in FEMA resilience funding opens
• AI moving into core design workflows
• Builders value resilience—buyers don’t

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-HvlA0mH6Y&t=1s

Eco Leaders 2026: From First Cost to Full Value The reckoning is here. Are you leading the transformation?

We’re inviting builders, developers, manufacturers, and industry partners to step forward and demonstrate how they are delivering real, measurable value beyond first cost.

Why Outdoor Living Is the Must-Have Feature in 2026 Outdoor living is shaping the home experience of 2026 more than any feature inside the walls.

If homebuyers could only choose one feature in 2026, what would it be?

Despite political efforts to roll back product sustainability, product makers keep evolving. This year's top collection of new and improved products suggests that homebuilding's future looks more efficient, more renewable and more durable. 

www.greenbuildermedia.com/green-builder-magazine

30 Years of ENERGY STAR for Homes: Inside the Origin Story Join a rare conversation with the pioneers who helped build one of the most successful public-private partnership programs in housing history.

ENERGY STAR turns 30—and the story behind how it started may surprise you.

Climate Risk Is Moving Faster Than Housing Policy Climate change is often framed as a future problem. But what if some of its biggest impacts are already showing up—in ways the housing industry can’t ignore?

In the latest episode of The Impact Series, we sit down with climate scientist Dr. Jim White to unpack what decades of research are revealing about where things are headed—and how quickly change can happen.

AI in Building In the construction industry, AI’s future is clear: It will be used more in planning, designing and writing. We’ll also get better at using it.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming integrated into our daily lives, dictating how, where and what the construction industry builds and consumers buy. 

Don’t Get Blindsided: Budget for Operational Costs for Your Home Housing affordability is about more than your upfront costs and your mortgage payment – make sure you understand the true cost of homeownership.

Many buyers today are thinking more about operational costs rather than just the upfront price to buy a home.

The Affordable Housing Myths the Industry Still Believes A veteran builder offers practical ideas—some that have worked in the past—to solve our stubborn affordable housing crisis.

A Florida contractor with nearly 40 years of experience—argues that durable, efficient homes are the only path to long-term affordability.

Virtual Power Plant: Potential Solution to Escalating Power Demands As demand for electricity outpaces supply, battery energy storage solutions can increase energy resilience.

Ask a group of people about what keeps them awake at night and chances are at least one will mention power shortages, brownouts and the escalating electricity needs of data centers.

Housing rules just flipped.
Energy codes blocked.
“Barriers” removed.
States freezing building standards.

Meanwhile: affordable modular up in days, utilities embracing geothermal, water use down 56%—no behavior change.

Watch this week’s breakdown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VbKkdyDKHA

Educating Buyers on Resilient Homes Resilient design can be the difference between a home in ruins and one that survives, but many buyers remain unconvinced.

How can the industry more effectively communicate the critical role resilient housing plays in enabling homes to withstand and survive extreme weather events?

Urban Eco-Friendliness The Cottage Company proves the feasibility of sustainable city living.

Thornton Creek Commons, a two-and-a-half-acre development in Seattle, is nine units that are environmentally friendly, conveniently located, cost-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

Net Zero Carbon Home Winner Past and present designs combine to create a timeless and sustainable home.

Past and present designs combine to create a timeless and sustainable home.

Are We Underestimating Water’s Impact on Housing? Water has always been part of the housing conversation. But what if it’s about to become one of the biggest constraints on growth?

In the latest episode of The Impact Series, Mike Collignon sits down with Deirdre Irwin, a longtime water conservation leader in Florida, to unpack a challenge that isn’t getting nearly enough attention.

Out With the Old Dedication and ingenuity turn a fixer-upper into a paragon of sustainable living.

The Colombini House is an all-electric, net zero, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Platinum-rated “Passive House”—an architectural housing design that requires very little energy for space heating or cooling. 

Cancelled? How to Make Sure Your Home Insurance Gets Renewed High homeowner insurance costs can be scary, but losing your coverage could be worse.

59% of homeowners had an increase in their home insurance premiums in 2025. While rising costs can be hard to swallow, a far worse scenario is having your policy cancelled.

High-Performance Systems Contribute to Comfort and Wellness at Home Connected HVAC systems built for durability at VISION House SHAWOOD.

Connected HVAC systems built for durability at VISION House SHAWOOD. 

This Week's Sustainable Building News: 3/25 The biggest stories shaping sustainable building this week: In this episode of This Week’s Sustainable Building News, Cati O’Keefe breaks down a new report o...

Weekend listen:
Green shift signals on MLS
City walks back its progressive energy code
Solar controlled by renters?
Geothermal gains

A lot is shifting in housing. Watch:

In this webinar, we will take a clear-eyed look at the gap between offsite construction’s promise and its reality. If offsite methods truly offer better speed, quality, and efficiency, what’s holding the industry back?

www.greenbuildermedia.com/webinar-time-to-scale-of...

A Crisis of Conscience What if the affordability crisis is not just a market failure, but a reflection of deeper internal and cultural misalignment?

What if the affordability crisis is not just a market failure, but a reflection of deeper internal and cultural misalignment?

What Makes a Home “Healthy”? Homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing features and upgrades that enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing features and upgrades that enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Pre-Fab Escape The Catskill Project mountain development is truly one with its surroundings.

The Catskill Project mountain development is truly one with its surroundings.