Biden-Harris Administration Invests Nearly $4 Million to Improve Housing for New Brunswick Families

HUD No. 24-307 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685

FOR RELEASE Thursday November 21, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Invests Nearly $4 Million to Improve Housing for New Brunswick Families

New award will make significant climate resilience and energy efficiency renovations.

NEW BRUNSWICK - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) highlighted a $3,920,000 award to Lord Stirling Senior Housing in New Brunswick, New Jersey, under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) to support significant energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations for 38 HUD-subsidized homes. This Comprehensive loan will increase energy and water efficiency, reduce climate pollution, generate renewable energy, reduce housing operating costs, promote the use of green building materials, and improve the quality of life for residents by making these homes more resilient to climate hazards.

HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon and HUD Office of Multifamily Housing Deputy Assistant Secretary Ethan Handleman highlighted the award today in New Brunswick, NJ, which will support crucial upgrades for residents.

"HUD has awarded over $1.43 billion through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to modernize housing for families across the country as the climate crisis continues to affect our most vulnerable communities," said Agency Head Adrianne Todman. "These awards advance the Biden-Harris Administration's housing and clean energy goals to ensure families we serve live in resilient, energy efficient, and comfortable homes where they can thrive."

President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act-the largest climate investment in history-established the GRRP in 2022 to fund energy efficiency and climate resiliency improvements for multifamily properties participating in HUD's project-based rental assistance programs The investments announced today will advance environmental justice in line with President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Over $1.43 billion from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has now been awarded to 270 properties and more than 30,000 rental homes, to make them greener, healthier, and safer for low-income households, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

"The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program represents the best of what government can do here in New Brunswick and throughout the nation to enhance the homes of low-income individuals while also addressing the climate crisis," said Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon. "Through this landmark program we've put more than $1 billion where it is needed most - properties like Lord Stirling Senior Apartments that are home to some of our nation's most vulnerable populations."

Lord Stirling Senior Housing is a 49-unit property in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Thirty-eight units currently participate in HUD's Section 202 project-based rental assistance program for low-income seniors.

The Community Builders, owner of Lord Stirling Senior Housing, plan to undertake a deep retrofit of the property focused on reducing the property's greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation and making the property more resilient to climate hazards. Additionally, the retrofit will focus on the use of building materials with lower embodied carbon and improving the quality life of residents through both green and healthy housing measures and significant capital improvements. The specific rehabilitation project scope will be determined after HUD's contractor has conducted a suite of assessments at the property.

"We're grateful to HUD for this funding award and look forward to seeing the impact this will make for the residents of Lord Stirling apartments," said Bart Mitchell, President and CEO of The Community Builders. "The energy efficiency upgrades made possible by this award continues TCB's investment in the City of New Brunswick, as well as strengthening the foundation for long term affordable, quality housing for New Brunswick's seniors."

"We're grateful to HUD and The Community Builders for their dedication to advancing the quality of life and environmental health in our community. Today's announcement is a testament to our commitment to fostering sustainable, resilient housing that meets the needs of our senior residents," said Mayor Jim Cahill, City of New Brunswick. "This nearly $4 million investment will bring essential upgrades to Lord Stirling Senior Housing, ensuring our seniors have safe, energy-efficient homes that contribute to a greener future."

"This nearly $4 million investment in Lord Stirling Senior Housing demonstrates the tangible impact of the Inflation Reduction Act-legislation I was proud to help author-to build a healthier, more resilient future for our communities," said U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-6). "This funding will ensure our senior residents in New Brunswick have safe, energy-efficient housing, with upgrades that not only reduce utility costs but also contribute to a cleaner environment. I fought for this investment because everyone deserves a home that protects against the effects of climate change and offers a better quality of life."

"We applaud this critical investment by HUD and The Community Builders," said Melanie Walter, Executive Director of NJHMFA. "This project is an important investment in New Brunswick seniors' quality of life. The retrofit and upgrades financed through the GRRP will ensure long-term affordability, improve resilience, and increase sustainability."

FACT SHEET: Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Progress to Date

• GRRP is the first HUD program to simultaneously invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, climate resilience, and low-embodied-carbon materials in HUD-assisted multifamily housing. All of the investments under the GRRP will be made in affordable housing communities serving low-income families, directly benefiting HUD-assisted housing, in alignment with the Justice40 Initiative.
• As of November 19, 2024, GRRP funding has been awarded to 270 properties and more than 30,696 thousand rental homes, to make them greener, healthier, and safer for low-income households, seniors, and persons with disabilities. The projects span the range from targeted upgrades to major net-zero renovation for properties in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
• GRRP funding is being used for insulation, energy efficient windows and doors, heat-resistant roofs, energy efficient heating and cooling, resiliency measures and other improvements.
• Over 1,500 properties have also signed up for HUD's free energy and water benchmarking service, funded with more than $40 million from the President's Inflation Reduction Act, so that HUD-assisted housing property owners can better understand the energy and water consumption at their properties in relation to other similar properties. This benchmarking information can in turn be used to assess energy efficiency and water conservation upgrades that can be funded under the GRRP.

Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Categories:

• Elements provides funding to owners for proven and meaningful climate resilience and utility efficiency measures in projects that are already in the process of being recapitalized.

• Leading Edge provides funding to owners with plans for ambitious retrofit activities to achieve zero energy retrofits and an advanced green certification.

• Comprehensive provides funding to properties with the highest need for climate resilience and utility efficiency upgrades, regardless of prior development or environmental retrofit experience.