Decarbonization Hub
Are you a Massachusetts multifamily affordable housing owner interested in dramatically reducing your carbon emissions? You may be able to take advantage of current and upcoming building decarbonization resources if your rehab project includes the following scope of work:
- significant building envelope upgrades including exterior and/or interior insulation, window replacements, and roof replacement;
- all-electric, high-performance mechanical systems, which provide heating, cooling, fresh air ventilation, and water heating (wherever possible);
- on-site renewable energy wherever possible; and
- low-embodied carbon materials.
Here's how to get started:
Engage with experts on project scopes, teams, and available funding as early in the project as possible. Consider RMI’s REALIZE-MA initiative, in partnership with LISC, which currently supports the 1,000 Apartment Challenge. This initiative offers consultation, guidance on decarbonization pathways, knowledge-sharing networks, and project development technical assistance. Fill out the Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) Candidate Info Form below or email Eva Rosenbloom and Emily Jones to learn more.
Timing is crucial to securing funding. Funding opportunities often have competitive rounds, extensive application requirements, and limited application submission windows. Ensure that all the preliminary work, such as energy auditing and feasibility studies, is completed well in advance or as soon as possible. See the table below for building science firms who can provide decarbonization assessments.
There are several opportunities currently available - see table below to see if you qualify (as of April 2024).
| Program | Incentive | Administering Agency | Contact Person | Deadline |
| Decarbonization & Resiliency Assessment Services | $10K cost share/project | New Ecology | Theo Brossman | Rolling through 5/15/24 |
| BETA: Commercial Buildings Pilot | No cost building decarbonization assessment and decarbonization plan | Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) | High Performance Buildings Team | Rolling through Spring 2024 |
| BETA: Non-Profit Buildings Pilot | Portfolio decarbonization roadmap | Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) | High Performance Buildings Team | Rolling, deadline TBD |
| Green Retrofit Financing | Up to $15K/project | Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) | Nancy McCafferty and Alma Balonon-Rosen | Rolling |
See the table below for currently available decarbonization funding opportunities in Massachusetts (as of April 2024).
| Program | Incentive | Total Remaining | Administering Agency | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Ready Housing Program | Flexible | $16M | LISC Massachusetts | Applications due 5/31/24 (for pre-approved applicants) |
| Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) (for HUD properties) | $40K/unit (Elements), $60K/unit (Leading Edge), or $80K/unit (Comprehensive) | N/A | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | 5/15/24 (Leading Edge), 6/12/24 (Comprehensive), 7/31/24 (Elements) |
| Income-Eligible Multi-Family Deep Energy Retrofit Pathway | $350/MMBtu savings | N/A | LEAN/Mass Save | Rolling (through at least December 2024) |
If your property does not have significant opportunities for insulation or heating electrification, it might be a better fit for the standard LEAN Multifamily Program.
Deep Energy Retrofit Case Studies
- Carol Avenue Apartments (Boston, MA)
- Eva White Apartments (Boston, MA)
- Hano Homes (Boston, MA)
- Fairweather Apartments (Salem, MA)
- Salem Heights Apartments (Salem, MA)
- Treehouse Communities (Easthampton, MA)
