Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the third round of funding awards under the Climate Ready Housing program. The program is led by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in collaboration with Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MassHousing, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation Massachusetts (LISC MA).
These funds will enable affordable housing properties across eight Massachusetts communities to significantly reduce their energy use through energy retrofits and electrification, which will lower costs for residents. The grant program will advance physical upgrades to a crucial segment of the state’s housing stock, improving indoor air quality and comfort for residents.
“This third round of funding goes even further toward lowering emissions from our existing buildings, which reduces costs for Massachusetts residents while being good for the environment and our health,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts continues to lead on decarbonizing affordable housing properties as we make progress on our mission to tackle high housing and energy costs head-on.”
“These green initiatives create a healthier standard of living for families in our housing developments while at the same time providing opportunities for local workers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future through these deep energy retrofits.”
“This year’s Climate Ready Housing funding will enable energy retrofit improvements of nearly 1,000 homes across the state,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “This funding will lower costs for low- and moderate-income residents, improve indoor air quality for our residents and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This investment will put us on the path to achieving the commonwealth’s net zero emissions goal while creating more resilient homes.”
This program was created and authorized under the state’s 2021 Economic Development Bond Bill and seeded at $1.6 million annually. After two successful pilot rounds, the Healey-Driscoll Administration increased annual program funding tenfold, making $16 million available for this third round. The program enables deep energy retrofits and decarbonization projects in the affordable housing sector that benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
Projects submitted for this funding opportunity pursued one of the following two decarbonization approaches:
- Deep Energy Retrofits (DER): This approach requires extensive building envelope improvements, electrification of building systems, and maximization of on-site renewable energy production. Projects achieve at least 50 percent in energy savings and significant carbon emissions reductions.
- Zero Carbon Emissions Over Time (ZOT): This approach focuses on projects with thoughtful strategies for reducing emissions over time in alignment with planned upgrades. Projects propose strategic, short-term interventions that contribute to a long-term, comprehensive plan to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.
More than 40 projects submitted a pre-application for the 2024 round, of which 13 were selected for new funding awards totaling approximately $16 million. Recommended project awards will enable energy retrofit improvements in 997 units of affordable housing across the state.
MHP and MassHousing provide funding administration and application support on behalf of EOHLC. Additional application and programmatic support are provided by LISC MA.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Healey-Driscoll Administration, alongside MassHousing and LISC, to increase funds and expand impact for affordable properties in the Commonwealth,” said MHP Executive Director Clark Ziegler. “MHP is committed to preserving housing that is healthy, comfortable, and contributes to the achievement of the Commonwealth’s climate goals. We are grateful to live in a state and work with partners committed to the ongoing decarbonization of affordable homes. This year’s investment ensures that 1,000 homes will be healthy and comfortable for our residents in the short- and long-term, with continued investment anticipated through the Affordable Homes Act.”
“Climate Ready Housing funding complements our state’s leading climate finance system, helping to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies in affordable homes across Massachusetts,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “This funding commitment will help nearly 1,000 affordable homes operate cleanly and efficiently, supporting our state’s clean energy goals, while creating healthier and more comfortable homes for lower-income residents.”
“Decarbonization funding is critical to ensuring we are able to provide safe, healthy, and affordable homes long-term for Massachusetts residents,” said LISC MA Deputy Director Emily Jones. “LISC is committed to helping affordable housing organizations access these resources and plan for a clean energy future.”
Orchard Gardens – Madison Park Development Corporation
Madison Park Development Corporation will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit it plans at 282 units on a campus property located in Roxbury. The project proposes insulation upgrades across all buildings, all-electric space heating and cooling, domestic hot water electrification where feasible, and ventilation upgrades. These improvements are expected to result in a 57 percent site energy use reduction across the property.