BROOKLINE, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced the first grants under the Affordable Housing Deep Energy Retrofit Grant Program. A total of $27.35 million will be awarded to seven organizations for 10 affordable housing developments in Massachusetts. The announcement was made at The Village at Brookline.
The grants will fund deep energy retrofits, energy efficiency upgrades, electrification of building systems, and onsite renewable energy generation. These improvements aim to reduce energy demand, decarbonize housing, and provide benefits like improved indoor air quality, comfort, and lower energy costs for residents and housing providers.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the program’s role in reducing energy costs and maintaining affordable housing. She highlighted the significance of electrifying buildings to cut energy expenses and advance climate innovation.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll noted the initiative’s dual focus on preserving affordable housing and reducing emissions. She expressed enthusiasm for the positive impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, local clean energy workforce development, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper stated that buildings account for 35% of the state’s emissions. The program addresses decarbonization with an equity lens, utilizing local workers, reducing renter costs, and improving air quality, thereby correcting historical injustices in climate justice.
DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony remarked that the program extends existing energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts. It aims to support housing affordability, electrification of buildings, and the growth of the deep energy retrofit sector in Massachusetts, offering a replicable model for other developers.