The effort, which builds on the group's previous commitments, will result in the creation, preservation, or retrofitting of 75,000 green homes and buildings, it said.

Enterprise, which also has a private branch that provides capital for housing, will lend to existing multifamily building owners for energy and water reduction capital purchases and healthy living environment improvements. Funds will also be dedicated to design new affordable housing.

Doris Koo, Enterprise's chief executive, says green investments in affordable housing can yield big returns.

"For a small premium on the construction side, about 2 percent on the front end, you are seeing 20 to 30 percent savings on the energy," she said.

Source: Reuters