Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Deployment
Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Deployment is a project that seeks to address policy challenges or barriers that affect solar projects differently or disproportionately because they are located on Tribal land. This three-part guidebook presents significant regulatory challenges and associated solutions, case studies of Tribal solar deployment projects, and briefs highlighting issues that are uniquely or specifically relevant to solar deployment on Tribal land.
Elevating Affordable Housing on the Path to Decarbonization
The IRA presents an immense opportunity, but delivering those resources where they are most needed is no easy task given systemic barriers that often prevent low-income and communities of color from applying for and adopting green energy opportunities. In this blog post, Decarbonization Fellow Kiera Quigley explores why new funds and programs "must center the needs and voices of environmental justice communities, or threaten to leave them behind."
IRA Program Overview
This chart shows a few IRA programs that are most relevant to affordable housing and includes summaries of the programs, funding level, expected number of awards and application deadlines. It is intended to give an overview of what is available and provides links that lead to more in-depth information.
From Roadmaps to Software: Tools to Help Leverage the IRA
Multifamily housing accounts for 20% of greenhouse gases. That makes taking advantage of unprecedented incentives and funding via the Inflation Reduction Act critical. This blog post previews new tools from Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) and Cadence OneFive to help the affordable housing sector unlock the potential of this landmark investment in affordable housing and energy efficiency.
Solar Success: How the IRA Will Help Community Solar Gardens Power Affordable Housing
For low- to moderate-income residents in multifamily housing who do not have access to a roof, do not own their property, or live in shaded areas, community solar creates an opportunity to access renewable energy and lower utility costs. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) presents an extraordinary moment to invigorate this growing area of solar while prioritizing communities with the greatest need. This blog post explores the opportunity presented by community solar and strategies for increasing residents' access to the benefits of solar power.
Decarbonizing Multifamily Housing: How State Finance Agencies Are Gearing Up for the IRA
As the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rolls out, housing agencies around the country are preparing to deploy additional funds, incentivizing developers to incorporate green designs, and boosting cooperation with state energy offices. This blog post reviews how several state housing agencies are preparing to help the multifamily sector realize the benefits of the IRA.
Housing 101: What is Affordable Housing?
An overview of different types of affordable housing, including common affordable housing programs, organizations, and regulations. The resource is part of the digital toolkit, Advancing Mobility from Poverty, developed by Enterprise and StriveTogether.
Designing Successful State Energy Office IRA Rebate Programs
State energy offices (SEOs) are moving fast to launch $8.8 billion in rebates funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for home energy efficiency and electrification to save families money, increase comfort, and reduce pollution. Those rebate programs are especially important for low-to-moderate income households and multifamily buildings. This presentation by Just Solutions, Energy Innovation and RMI highlights key considerations for both SEOs and their implementation partners, including utilizing data to set program objectives, offering hands-on support for participants and contractors, ensuring durable retrofit market momentum, and facilitating stakeholder involvement to inform solutions. Equity priorities will be a common thread throughout the webinar, including guidance for serving affordable multifamily housing.
How to Upgrade and Electrify Millions of US Homes and Buildings
The White House and Department of Energy (DOE) recently laid the foundation for two monumental home energy upgrade initiatives: the Home Efficiency Rebates program, which offers up to $8,000 to households, and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, which provides up to $14,000. These rebate programs — made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act — represent one of the largest-ever federal investments to decarbonize the US building stock and help Americans pay for home efficiency improvements such as better insulation, all-electric heat pumps, and induction stoves.
Facilitating Building Decarbonization through Utility Allowances
One of the most pressing challenges in electrifying multifamily housing is the issue of split incentives for housing providers. Although housing providers want to prioritize the health, comfort and safety of residents by transitioning to all electric buildings, they encounter many difficulties trying to finance electrification. This report describes how utility allowance methods affect a property’s operating income and residents’ energy burdens, and it examines the impact of utility allowances on affordable housing electrification.