Chapter 5 Physical Standards Construction-Oversight Rehabilitation Standards
Chapter 5 Physical Standards Written New Construction Standards
New Construction Standards
The reference to Energy Star windows has been removed, as have the specific insulation values previously included under reference to the 2021 IECC. As to the Energy Star windows, the window requirements under the 2021 IECC closely matches the energy efficiency ratings of Energy Star windows, but the code does not specifically require the brand. While applicants will be required to comply with the 2021 IECC, as long as the windows meet the minimum energy requirements, it is unnecessary to use Energy Star windows for code compliance purposes.
As for the removal of the specific insulation values, under advisement from OHFA’s contracted construction inspector PMg, by not listing the insulation values as requirements, builders have increased flexibility in the measures they take to comply with the code minimums.
Rehabilitation Standards
The eight-year minimum property age has been removed and replaced with “Awardees must differentiate Rehabilitation from cosmetic renovation. Cosmetic renovation alone is not a permitted use of HUD funding.” OHFA intends to incorporate this minimum age into the 2026 program year.
As there has been some recent confusion regarding the implementation of updated construction standards, please note that the Rehabilitation and New Construction standards in place when a written agreement is executed are the ones that must be abided by. While OHFA strives to provide timely updates to its standards, exceptions may be made if the update is prompted by a change in applicable codes initiated by the state of Oklahoma or HUD, such as in the implementation of the 2021 IECC to any written agreements executed after November 28, 2024.
All applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with updates as they are made available, even if they do not affect a current development. As there were some sweeping changes made to the program over the last year that were designed to bring OHFA into compliance with, and provide clarification on, pre-existing HUD regulations, awardees may be occasionally asked to provide documentation that exceeds the requirements in place at the time that their written agreement was signed. Such requests for documentation will be provided in writing via email from a staff member as needed.
Please also note that these updated standards do not negate the elections an awardee may have made in a previous application. If an applicant elected to provide energy star windows as part of scoring in a previous application, we would require this election be honored. If energy star windows are impractical, incapable of being put into practice with the available means, they may be swapped out for another amenity of an equivalent point value. This swap would need to be approved by OHFA staff, and any corresponding written agreements would need to reflect the new election.
