Biden-Harris Administration Announces $69 Million in New Investments

HUD No. 24-228 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685

FOR RELEASE Thursday September 5, 2024

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced $69.1 million in awards to properties across 10 states under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) to support significant energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations in almost 2,000 homes. These Leading Edge grants and loans 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 their homes more resilient to climate hazards.

HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman announced these grants today at a press conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where HUD today awards over $6 million to make crucial upgrades for residents of Crafton Towers.

"HUD has awarded over $840 million through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to modernize housing for families across the country," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "The awards announced today advances the Biden-Harris Administration's housing and clean energy goals to ensure Americans have access to affordable homes that are resilient to extreme weather events and energy efficient to reduce carbon emissions."

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.

"Far too many Americans struggle to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer," said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. "Today's awards from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will boost the quality of life for thousands of moderate- and low-income American families by making their homes safer and more comfortable."

"These investments represent our dedication to improving the lives and homes of residents by making them healthier, more energy efficient, and safer in the face of severe weather," said Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon. "The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program awards, including those announced today, are putting funding directly into the properties and communities where they are needed most."

The grants and loans announced today are the first in Vermont and Wyoming and bring the total amount of funding under this program to more than $842 million in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This is the fourth and final set of awards made under the GRRP's Leading Edge category, which provides funding to properties with plans to make significant energy efficiency improvements related to carbon reduction, renewable energy generation, the use of clean building materials with lower embodied carbon. Two remaining award announcements for the Comprehensive and Elements categories are expected in the coming months.

"HUD's Green and Resilient Retrofit Program is spurring investments in green building that reduce carbon emissions, keep residents healthier, make communities safer, and help combat the effects of climate change," said Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs.

All 11 of the properties receiving Leading Edge awards today are properties that participate in the HUD Section 8 project-based rental assistance program for low-income individuals and families. Two properties have more than 200 units, eight properties have between 51-200 units, and one property has fewer than 50 units.

Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Leading Edge Round 4 Awards
September 5, 2024