Preservation of Affordable Housing’s Salem Heights Apartments is an example of a recently completed deep energy retrofit (Photo Credit: LISC).
Preservation of Affordable Housing’s Salem Heights Apartments is an example of a recently completed deep energy retrofit (Photo Credit: LISC).

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:

1. Complete building decarbonization assessments.

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. 

OrganizationContact Person
Building Evolution Corporation (BEC)Wesley Stanhope
Carleton Energy Consulting (CEC)Marco Tolisano and Lance Kleinberg
DataBased+Anna Morton Rivera
enviENERGY StudioSamira Ahmadi
GreenerURobert Durning
New EcologyJohn Beaumont
Petersen EngineeringJames Petersen and Doug Kumph
PowerOptionsErin Camp
RDH Building ScienceAndrew Steingiser and Luc Nahrgang
Rethinking Power Management (RPM)Ilene Mason
RISE EngineeringJean-Paul Vandeputte
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)Cheryl M. Saldanha and Chris Grey
SlipstreamPuja Vohra
Sparhawk GroupJoe Lloyd
Steven Winter Associates (SWA)Eric SkibaKarla Butterfield, and Stephen Moore
Sustainable Comfort, Inc.Jeff Love
The Green EngineerChris Schaffner
Thornton TomasettiGunnar Hubbard
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC)Becky Schaaf
ZeroEnergy DesignRegina King
2. Apply for building decarbonization assessment support.

There are several opportunities currently available - see table below to see if you qualify (as of September 2024).

ProgramIncentiveAdministering AgencyContact PersonDeadline
Decarbonization & Resiliency Assessment Services$10K cost share/projectNew EcologyTheo BrossmanRolling (until funding exhausted)
BETA: Project PlanningNo cost building decarbonization assessment and decarbonization planMassachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)High Performance Buildings TeamRolling, deadline TBD
BETA: RoadmapsPortfolio decarbonization roadmapMassachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)High Performance Buildings TeamRolling, deadline TBD
Green Retrofit FinancingUp to $15K/projectMassachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP)Lauren BaumannRolling

3. Apply to decarbonization funding sources.

See the table below for currently available decarbonization funding opportunities in Massachusetts (as of September 2024). 

ProgramIncentiveTotal AvailableAdministering AgencyDeadline
LEAN Deep Energy Retrofit Pathway$350/MMBtu savingsN/ALEAN Multifamily Program (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.

4. Share your project with us!

Contact Emily Jones (ejones@lisc.org) and Eva Rosenbloom (erosenbloom@rmi.org) with related questions and/or your affordable housing organization's interest in significant decarbonization projects. 

 

Contact

Joe De Larauze, Program Officer, Green Homes
Email

Contact

Emily Jones, Deputy Director
Email