Baseline Specification Review

To better understand the materials commonly specified for affordable housing projects, the Healthy Building Network reviewed specifications for both new construction and rehabilitation projects designed between 2012-2016 in several regional communities of practice. From that work, HBN then compiled general information on the products specified in HomeFree’s seven main product categories: Flooring, Interior Paint, Drywall, Countertops, Cabinetry & Millwork, Doors, and Thermal Insulation. The aggregated information provides a snapshot of  regional trends. This data not only serves as a baseline against which future practice and market evolution toward healthier materials can be compared, but also allows developers, owners, and operators of housing to benchmark their current practice. 

Click on the icons below to see the baseline specification information for each region studied.

Click here to view the General Spec Guidance