BOSTON -
Monday, August 14, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor's Office of
Housing (MOH) announced the launch of a grant program aimed at supporting
deep green energy retrofits (GERs) and decarbonization efforts in existing
affordable housing buildings. Mayor Wu
initially announced her intention to launch this program in March.
The City now has established funding for energy assessments for
income-restricted residential buildings, which is the first step in
facilitating significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon
emissions. This initiative, supported through ARPA (American Rescue Plan
Act) funding, aligns with the City of Boston's commitment to the Building
Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO),
which sets requirements for large buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions gradually to net zero by 2050. Through this grant program, the
City is seeking to further the Mayor’s Green New Deal by creating cleaner
affordable housing units to enhance the climate, livability and justice of
Boston’s communities.
“Creating
clean homes and improving the health of our communities must be at the
center of our climate action,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m
grateful to the Mayor’s Office of Housing for their leadership in our Green
New Deal efforts to make Boston’s buildings greener and more energy
efficient.”
"By
supporting comprehensive energy assessments, we are empowering building
owners to make informed decisions and take meaningful steps towards a
sustainable and healthier future,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of
Housing. “This program aligns with our commitment to BERDO and
reinforces our dedication to equity, affordability, and environmental
stewardship. We are excited to partner with building owners and continue
our efforts to create a more sustainable and healthy Boston."
As
part of the support for deep energy retrofits and decarbonization efforts,
building owners of affordable housing now have the opportunity to apply for
grants of up to $10,000. These funds will be allocated towards
comprehensive energy assessments, which will enable building owners to
evaluate the current performance of their buildings and develop strategies
to achieve substantial energy savings and carbon emission reductions. This
initiative will also allow the City to gain more insight into the specific
measures that can be taken to significantly reduce energy consumption and
carbon emissions in affordable housing.
By
completing these comprehensive energy assessments, building owners will not
only contribute to a greener environment but also enhance the safety,
comfort, and sustainability for residents. Moreover, these assessments can
serve as a roadmap offering building-specific strategies to comply with
BERDO while providing building owners with valuable guidance. Building
owners who complete the assessments will be well-positioned to apply for
additional funding from MOH and other sources to implement the identified
GER measures.
"We
firmly believe that the residents of affordable housing in Boston should be
the first to experience the transformative benefits of the Green New Deal,”
said Green New Deal Director Oliver Sellers-Garcia. “This means
providing them with cleaner and more comfortable buildings year-round. Our
commitment to this program showcases our strategic utilization of ARPA
funding to make targeted investments that enhance quality of life and
promote equity. As we move forward, we will persist in our efforts to
secure Federal climate funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and
Inflation Reduction Act, leveraging our early successes with ARPA funds.
Together, we will continue to build a sustainable future that leaves no one
behind."
The
City anticipates that the comprehensive energy assessments can be scoped,
completed, and with funds disbursed within 3-6 months of the grant award.
After a thorough evaluation process, including eligibility confirmation
under ARPA guidelines and suitability assessment, MOH received a total of
20 applications representing 56 buildings and 2,078 units across the city.
After review, the Office of Housing will be awarding grants to all 20
applicants. The exact amount of funds to be disbursed will be determined
based on the approved scopes of work. The Office of Housing will continue
to accept applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please visit
this link.
"With
the Mayor's Office of Housing's support, 2Life Communities can begin to
comprehensively plan for the future of Leventhal House, a 254-apartment
building that has served hundreds of residents for more than 50
years," said Lizbeth Heyer, 2Life Communities' Vice President
and Acting CEO. "These funds will allow our organization to
explore greater energy efficiency and resiliency, a reduced environmental
impact, and, most importantly, enhanced comfort for our residents at
Leventhal House for years to come."
It
is important to note that while not all the buildings represented are 100%
affordable, MOH's grant funds will be proportionally allocated to each
comprehensive energy assessment based on the number of eligible affordable
units (affordable to households at or below 100% of the Area Median
Income).
The
City is embedding the Green New Deal throughout City initiatives, making
healthier and cleaner communities for all of our residents. In July, Mayor
Wu signed an Executive Order (EO) Eliminating the Use of Fossil Fuels in
New Construction and Major Renovations of City Buildings. While the EO
exempts projects already in procurement, design, or construction, it
requires all new municipal buildings and major renovations to operate
without fossil fuel usage.
Additionally,
previously in March, Mayor Wu
launched the Large Building Green Energy Retrofits Program—an
initiative under the Mayor’s Office of Housing supported by $10 million in
ARPA funding. Today’s announcement is an update to this programming,
granting $10,000 for technical assistance grants that help building owners
plan toward achieving BERDO compliance and deep energy retrofits of their
buildings. The City intends to provide additional funding when the
assessments are complete. These green energy retrofitting measures include
installation of energy-efficient lighting and appliances, installation of
solar panels, and more. The City announced its intention to expand on these
initiatives with a retrofit program for smaller residential buildings and a
program specific to retrofitting the Boston Housing Authority. These
programs that will mitigate carbon emissions from the building sector and
improve housing affordability reinforce the Mayor’s commitment to a Green
New Deal approach to working toward environmental and economic justice in
Boston.
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