It is often said that the greenest building is an existing building, and building preservation is a key component for addressing housing needs. A majority of the U.S. housing stock that will exist in 2050 already stands today. Incorporating building improvements, such as energy-efficient appliances, insulation and weatherization, and supporting access to renewable energy and electric vehicle charging, are opportunities to utilize existing structures to address housing priorities in sustainable ways. Rehabilitation of older homes allows communities to take advantage of existing housing stock, while avoiding the use of energy and raw materials required for new housing construction. Fewer materials produced and transported for housing result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.
Retrofits and building enhancements can take the form of improved weatherization, changes to reduce energy consumption, use of materials with low-embodied carbon and access to electric appliances that can be supported by renewable energy. In addition to being more sustainable, many energy retrofits can improve a home’s resilience to natural disasters.
Preservation of existing structures is also important for promoting housing affordability for residents. Requiring or incentivizing sustainable building practices can also lower costs for low-income households, which spend a higher portion of their income on utility costs and experience a high energy burden. In addition, low-income households are more likely to be located in areas that are more vulnerable to impacts of natural disasters. Energy retrofits can lower the energy burden on households, while supporting a municipality’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
More to Learn
Check out NLC’s blog, “Federal Funding for Resilient Affordable Housing,” for more information on funding and programmatic strategies for cities to enable resilient affordable Housing.
Energy retrofits may include a variety of steps to make a home more efficient and reduce energy use or fossil fuel reduction. Retrofit projects might include:
- Electrifying gas-powered appliances or heating
- Sealing doors and windows
- Improving home insulation
- Implementing electrical wiring upgrades
Federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan Act has enabled state and local governments, as well as individuals, to tap into new resources and savings associated with energy retrofits.
Cities can take steps to encourage retrofits in their communities to help tackle the emissions of existing buildings and meet their greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals. Buildings Performance Standards set emissions or energy use limits for buildings within a municipality’s jurisdiction. They often impose different standards for different categories of buildings, set a schedule to raise those standards over time and impose fines for non-compliance. Nine U.S. cities have implemented Buildings Energy Performance Standards, and many more are in the process of developing similar standards.
Cities Encouraging Residential Entergy Efficiency Retrofits
Cities have formed partnerships and used federal and state funding sources to provide grants for residential energy efficiency retrofits:
Takoma Park, Maryland
The City of Takoma Park has utilized regional partnerships and state funding to provide residents with funding and resources for a range of sustainable housing retrofit projects. One of these opportunities provides low-to-moderate income homeowners with funding for weatherization repairs and solar installation. The City of Takoma Park partnered with other municipalities in the region and several nonprofits to provide this assistance. The city also has programs to support electrification in both single-family and multifamily units. Takoma Park has centralized information about these opportunities and others on their website to make it easier for residents to electrify and improve energy efficiency in their homes.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The City of Milwaukee used money from their ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund allocation to fund energy efficiency retrofits through the Me2 program. The program provided participating households with a free home energy audit to identify ways of reducing energy costs. The city then provided funding to assist qualifying homeowners with the cost of the improvements identified by the audit. Milwaukee has continued this program past the reach of their ARPA funding by using new funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and encouraging residents to take advantage of federal tax credits and rebates. Based on findings of the energy audit, the program offers fixed-interest loans, and helps to match participants to eligible incentives from state or federal government. The Milwaukee program has found that homeowners who have had their home inspected, insulated and air sealed through Me2 have averaged a 30 percent reduction in energy use, translating to cost savings for residents.
What’s Next for Cities?
Cities can make a big difference in adopting sustainable building policies and providing resources for weatherization and other home repairs that can preserve existing housing stock for years to come. These programs have widespread benefits; they can reduce energy cost burdens on residents, improve housing health and ensure that safe housing allows people to maintain their living situations. To learn more about sustainable housing practices, look to the following resources:
- HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program provides grants for retrofit projects that improve energy or water efficiency, enhance indoor air quality and improve climate. Their website has additional information about the projects being funded.
- The US Green Building Council has published resources on retrofits for decarbonization.
- Power Forward Communities is a coalition of housing, climate and community investment groups working to decarbonize homes to build stronger and healthier affordable communities.
About the Author
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