Michelle Foster
May 31, 2023
HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program: Making Affordable Housing More Sustainable
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) to help make affordable housing more sustainable. The program provides funding for grants and loans to help owners of multifamily-assisted properties make energy efficiency, water efficiency, and climate resilience improvements to their buildings.
The GRRP is part of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the benefits of federal climate investments go to disadvantaged communities. The program is also aligned with HUD’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its portfolio by 50% by 2030.
Eligible properties for the GRRP include those participating in the Section 8 Project-based Rental Assistance, Section 202 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Persons with Disabilities programs.
The GRRP offers three funding levels:
- Elements: This level provides funding for basic energy efficiency and water efficiency improvements.
- Leading Edge: This level provides funding for more advanced energy efficiency and water efficiency improvements, as well as climate resilience improvements.
- Comprehensive: This level provides funding for comprehensive energy efficiency, water efficiency, and climate resilience improvements.
To be eligible for the Leading Edge and Comprehensive funding levels, properties must achieve one of the HUD approved green certifications. NGBS Green at the Gold or Emerald certification level, with Green + Net Zero Energy or Resilience designation is one of the HUD approved certifications. If you are interested in learning more about NGBS Green+, view our July 2020 webinar recording.
The green certification must be valid at the time of the GRRP application submission.
The GRRP green certification requirement is designed to ensure that the projects funded by the program achieve a high level of energy efficiency, climate resilience, and reduction of emissions. The green certification process also helps to ensure that the projects are designed and implemented in a way that minimizes environmental impacts and maximizes benefits for residents and the community.
To apply for the GRRP, property owners must submit a grant application or a loan application. The application process is competitive, and HUD will select projects that are most likely to achieve the program’s goals.
The GRRP is a significant opportunity to make affordable housing more sustainable. The program will help to reduce energy costs for residents, improve air quality, and make buildings more resilient to climate change. The GRRP is also a win-win for the environment and the economy. By investing in energy efficiency and climate resilience, we can create jobs, reduce pollution, and save money.
If you are a property owner who is interested in applying for the GRRP, you can find more information on the HUD website or their FAQ page.
Here are some of the benefits of participating in the HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program:
- Reduced energy costs: Energy efficiency improvements can save residents money on their utility bills.
- Improved air quality: Energy efficiency improvements can improve indoor air quality, which can lead to improved health for residents.
- Increased property value: Retrofits can increase the value of a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.
- Increased tenant satisfaction: Residents who live in energy-efficient buildings are often more satisfied with their living environment.
- Reduced environmental impact: Energy efficiency improvements can reduce the environmental impact of a building, including greenhouse gas emissions.
If you are a property owner who is interested in making your building more sustainable, the HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program is a great option. The program provides funding for a variety of energy efficiency and climate resilience improvements, and it can help you save money on your utility bills, improve air quality, and increase property value.
The NGBS Green Team is available to help you through the NGBS Green certification process. Contact us to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with a member of our green team to get started.
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