Going green is sometimes easier said than done. After all, while many of us can afford to recycle or use biodegradable products, buying an eco-friendly home or car is often too much for our wallets to handle. However, a new partnership between The Home Depot Foundation, Southface, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. and the City of Atlanta is making green Atlanta real estate more affordable.

The recently unveiled Green Home Advantage Program hopes to get more low-income homebuyers into hundreds of EarthCraft-certified homes. Last month, the partners in the program showcased an energy efficient three-bedroom model home at 1223 Spring Park Drive with an affordable $152,000 price tag.

The Green Home Advantage Program is making nearly $500,000 in grants available to Atlanta’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) developers. With this funding, an estimated 100 housing units will meet common elements of EarthCraft and Enterprise Green Communities standards.

According to the NSP, EarthCraft homeowners can save more than a third of what they spent on utilities in previous homes because they meet certain energy and water efficiencies. Considering that Atlanta has some of the highest water rates in the U.S., saving roughly 33 percent on monthly bills adds up quickly.

Homebuyers interested in energy-efficient Atlanta real estate should apply for home purchases through the NSP. However, there are a few requirements for applicants including income restrictions and eight hours of homebuyer education classes.

For information on purchasing a home with NSP assistance, visit the City of Atlanta website.