A new program offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will offer $837.5 million in grants as well as $4 billion in loan authority to help property owners to carry out energy efficient retrofits of HUD-assisted multifamily affordable housing. The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) is part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congress last August.
Energy
New weatherization financing program available for Vermonters
By: Mia Watson
Drafty, inefficient homes in need of weatherization will soon have a new affordable program available to them with the launch of the Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program (WRAP). The program, funded by $9 million from the state and overseen by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), will use an innovative on-bill payment model to help moderate-income Vermonters participate in comprehensive home energy projects.
Mia Watson promoted to Special Programs Manager
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has promoted Mia Watson (she/her) of Essex Junction to the new role of Special Programs Manager.
Climate change raises risk of increasing inequities
By: Madelyn Stoen
The Urban Institute recently released an article about how an equity lens is essential to mitigating the effects of hotter summers that are expected in the future due to climate change. As our climate continues to rise, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are much more likely to experience hotter summers and the effects that come with it, even compared to higher income neighborhoods in the same area.
Public feedback sought for building energy codes
By: Mia Watson
The Vermont Department of Public Service (PSD) will soon begin updating Vermont's building energy codes, with the target effective date of Fall or Winter 2023. The code update process will include multiple opportunities for stakeholders to provide input and feedback.
Protecting housing affordability through the Clean Heat Standard
By: Maura Collins
The mission of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is to finance and promote affordable, safe, and decent housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.
Embedded in that mission is the need to consider the holistic cost of renting and owning, meaning not just the upfront cost of housing, but also the cost of living in it long term.
Ken Pulido joins VHFA as Director of Energy Finance
By: Steve Gronlund
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that VHFA has selected Ken Pulido (he/him) of South Burlington in the newly created role of Director of Energy Finance.
VHFA hosting Weatherization Pilot Program focus groups
By: Chad Simmons
A group of energy and financing agencies is developing an innovative weatherization payment mechanism that will allow more Vermonters to participate in comprehensive weatherization projects. One step is to hear from potential customers to help design the process. We are seeking interested homeowners whose building is between 1-4 units in size to participate in a 1-hour focus group. Participants will each receive a $50 gift card for their time. Please find details and dates below. Register and share with others who may be interested!
Learn more about Weatherization at Scale on 6/21
By: Mia Watson
In 2020 Vermont’s Energy Action Network formed a Weatherization at Scale action team, with the goal of weatherizing every home owned or rented by low-to-moderate income Vermonters by 2030. The coalition, which includes Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), successfully urged Vermont lawmakers and the Governor to invest more than $20 million towards weatherization in the FY 2022 state budget.
VHFA launches car sharing initiative
By: Mia Watson
VHFA recently began partnering with CarShare Vermont to offer its staff access to shared vehicles for business travel. This initiative will allow the Agency to reduce its carbon footprint while making travel more convenient and more affordable for its staff.