New Ecology Initiative Support Programs and Projects for Energy Efficiency Improvements for Affordable Housing
Boston, MA – January 26, 2024 – New Ecology, Inc. has received grant funding to provide technical services for identifying and developing strategies for deep energy retrofits for existing affordable housing properties located in low and moderate income (LMI) and environmental justice (EJ) communities in Massachusetts and is seeking applicants to receive subsidized services. Grant funding has been awarded to New Ecology from the following sources:
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center – EmPower Massachusetts Program
An initiative to support the exploration, development, and implementation of program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy for previously underserved populations in Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the EmPower website.
Liberty Mutual Fund – Climate Resiliency Grant
A grant program designed to advance security and build resiliency for people and communities in vulnerable situations with a focus on aiding communities in the Greater Boston area (defined as Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Quincy, Randolph and Somerville) to develop Climate Resiliency strategies for mitigating and adapting to changing environmental factors. More information can be found here.
PROJECT SCOPE
Funding from these grants will be directed towards providing a comprehensive energy audit and recommendations for a deep energy retrofit (DER) that will reduce energy consumption at the property by at least 40%. While properties with a variety of goals and timelines are welcome to apply, the Project will look to employ a zero-over time (ZOT) approach that creates a strategy for property owners and managers to integrate decarbonization measures into their long-term capital investment plans in order to achieve a target of zero carbon emissions by 2050 with minimal impact on capital and operational expenditures while protecting residents from an increased energy burden. This plan will also endeavor to position the site to be eligible for any available public funding and low-cost financing opportunities for decarbonization measures.
The value of the grant for each accepted applicant building will be $10,000 and will cover the core cost of creating the ZOT plan and preforming a resiliency assessment. Additional funding from the MA DOER will cover the costs of heating load measurements in the building. The building owners of accepted applicants will be required to provide a cost-share of $10,000.
DATES
Applications will be open Monday, January 22nd, 2024.
Applications will be open until May 15th, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicant buildings must have 5 or more units, be located in Massachusetts, and fit one or more of the following criteria:
- are state or federal public housing facilities;
- are owned by MACDC Members, including State-Certified community development corporations (CDCs) and MACDC Associate Members;
- provide affordable housing for low and moderate income (LMI) residents, including but not limited to LIHTC funded housing, housing for Section 8 recipients, supportive housing programs, elderly housing providers, etc.; and/or
- are located in an Environmental Justice Block.
All assessment and plan development work must be completed in 2024-2025.
Owners must be actively engaged in a long-term capital improvement plan with serious intention of enacting recommendations ensuing from the Project.
Owners with design teams that are working on a deep energy retrofit (“DER”) project, and that need some form of technical assistance to finalize their Project scope and/or to apply for funding may also be included in the Project.
Owner’s must provide a cost-share of $10,000 towards to total project cost.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Apply here with our online intake form.
- Please submit a separate application for each building to be considered. When submitting multiple properties, indicate in the description of projects to date the priority of this building for receiving this grant.
NOTE: New Ecology will review applicants and award from the appropriate grant source depending on the applicant’s characteristics. Program funding is limited. Submitting an application is no guarantee that your building(s) will be selected. If selected, you will be supplied with a contract to sign.
For further information, please contact:
Theo Brossman, Project Manager
theo.brossman@newecology.org