The Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved $1 million in funding to make the city’s affordable multifamily rental properties more energy efficient.
Combined with another $1 million in federal Recovery Act funds, the $2 million will leverage millions more in new funding recently allocated from Massachusetts utility companies.
Beginning this spring, utility companies will offer a new multi-million dollar energy efficiency retrofit grant program for existing low-income multifamily properties owned by public housing authorities and non-profits. The program will provide owners direct services that will benchmark a development’s energy use and in most cases complete a comprehensive energy audit.
Much of Boston’s affordable housing stock is old and inefficient, resulting in higher energy costs for building owners and low-income tenants. In addition to providing immediate and positive economic impacts for the owners and tenants of the affordable properties, the initiative is expected to spur green-collar job creation, according to the city.
"These funds will provide a significant boost to the quality of our affordable housing stock while reducing energy costs for our most vulnerable residents," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
The city, through its Renew Boston initiative, will use the $2 million to either double the number of units that benefit from this program or provide resources for proven energy efficiency strategies not funded by utility companies, according to a statement
The BRA will reserve up to $500,000 of its funding allocation for solar thermal systems. The BRA-funded solar thermal incentive will complement an existing solar thermal incentive provided by local gas utility National Grid in which the utility pays 50 percent (up to $100,000) of commercial scale solar hot water heating system costs if the system design meets their performance standards.
"I’m proud that we’re able to allocate this $1 million from our affordable housing program funds to support this important initiative. These funds will ensure that our affordable housing stock is truly affordable," said John F. Palmieri, director of the BRA.
