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.”
The Climate Ready Housing (CRH) awardees for 2024 include:
154-156 Boylston St & Sara Wallace House – Brookline Community Development Corporation
Brookline Community Development Corporation will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofits it plans at a 6-unit triple decker property and a 16-unit historic building, both of which are located in Brookline. These projects propose significant building envelope upgrades, electrification of building systems, ventilation system upgrades, as well as water conservation measures. These improvements are expected to result in a 67 percent and 55 percent site energy use reduction at the properties, respectively.
258 Main Street – Pine Street Inn
Pine Street Inn will receive CRH funding for the Zero Over Time retrofit approach it plans at a 14-unit property located in Charlestown. The project proposes electrification of space heating and domestic hot water systems, which will help to eliminate fossil fuel energy uses at the site.
259 Lowell – Visiting Nurse Communities & WinnCompanies
Visiting Nurse Communities and WinnCompanies will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit of 78 units located in Somerville. The project proposes full electrification of building systems, ventilation upgrades, and roof-mounted solar photovoltaics. These improvements are expected to result in a 48 percent site energy use reduction for the property.
Blue Meadows/Nashmont – New Bedford Housing Authority
New Bedford Housing Authority will receive CRH funding to support envelope upgrades in 22 units across four buildings in New Bedford. This project has elected a Zero Over Time (ZOT) approach, so proposed envelope upgrades enabled by CRH funds will pave the way for later cooking, laundry, and mechanical system electrification.
Burbank Gardens – Fenway Community Development Corporation
Fenway Community Development Corporation will receive CRH funding for the green retrofit project it plans at a 52-unit property located in Boston. The project proposes domestic hot water electrification, ventilation upgrades, and electrical service improvements. This project has elected a Zero Over Time (ZOT) approach, so upgrades enabled by CRH funds will pave the way for later electrification of space heating and cooling systems.
Constitution Inn – Planning Office for Urban Affairs
Planning Office for Urban Affairs will receive CRH funding for the green retrofit project it plans at a 100-unit property located in Charlestown. The project proposes building envelope upgrades and electrification of space heating, space cooling, and cooking appliances. This project has elected a Zero Over Time (ZOT) approach, so upgrades enabled by CRH funds will pave the way for later domestic hot water electrification.
New North Canal Apartments – Coalition for a Better Acre
Coalition for a Better Acre will receive CRH funding for the green retrofit project it plans at a 267-unit campus property located in Lowell. The project proposes building envelope improvements, balanced ventilation upgrades, and electrical service upgrades. This project is electing a Zero Over Time (ZOT) approach, so upgrades enabled by CRH funds will pave the way for later mechanical system and appliance electrification.
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.
Phillips Brooks School – Quincy Geneva New Vision Community & WinnCompanies
Quincy Geneva New Vision Community Development Corporation and WinnCompanies will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit it plans for 27 units of affordable housing located in Dorchester. The project proposes significant envelope improvements, electrification of mechanical systems, and electrical service upgrades. These improvements are expected to result in a 57 percent site energy use reduction for the property.
Roosevelt Towers Mid-Rise – Cambridge Housing Authority
Cambridge Housing Authority will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit it plans at a 77-unit mid-rise property located in Cambridge. The project proposes comprehensive envelope upgrades, full electrification, new mechanical ventilation, as well as roof-mounted solar photovoltaics. These improvements are expected to result in a 90 percent site energy use reduction for the property. The project is a recent awardee of HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) and aims to achieve Passive House (PHIUS Core Revive) certification.
The Putnam – The Community Builders
The Community Builders will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit planned in 38 units of historic, adaptive reuse housing located in Greenfield. The project proposes an envelope upgrade to Passive House standards, all-electric mechanical systems, a solar panel-ready roof, indoor bicycle parking, and electric vehicle charging space.
WCG Homes – Worcester Common Ground
Worcester Common Ground will receive CRH funding for the deep energy retrofit it plans at an 18-unit scattered site property located in Worcester. The project proposes full electrification, ventilation upgrades, and roof-mounted solar photovoltaics. These improvements are expected to result in a 69 percent site energy use reduction for the property.
The decarbonization of Massachusetts’ existing buildings is a key component of the state’s strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The Climate Ready Housing program will catalyze significant investments in the built environment sector, and leverage other federal, state, and local funding resources to help affordable housing developments lower emissions and energy use.
The next round of Climate Ready Housing is expected to open in March 2025.
