Climate Ready Housing

Climate Ready Housing awardee Allston Brighton CDC's Hano Homes is a deep energy retrofit slated to achieve Passive House certification (Credit: Onion Flats Architecture).

Program Overview

The Climate Ready Housing Program was created with 2021 Economic Development Bond Bill funding earmarked for sustainable and climate resilient affordable housing. 2024 funding ($16 million) will be leveraged competitively to support 10-15 highly rated projects that represent achievable and replicable approaches to very low carbon emissions focused on existing building renovations (as outlined below). MassHousing and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) administer the program on behalf of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). MassHousing and MHP have engaged with LISC to further assist in program administration.

Areas of Focus for 2024

Deep Energy Retrofit (DER)

This approach assumes a comprehensive scope of work that includes extensive improvements to the building envelope that significantly reduce heating energy load (by at least 50%) and carbon emissions. The building envelope work is leveraged to allow for cost-effective electrification of the building's HVAC system. Improvements in ventilation to achieve appropriate indoor air quality are required.

Zero Carbon Emissions Over Time (ZOT)

This approach assumes a less significant intervention in the upcoming rehabilitation project than is represented in the DER approach outlined above but reflects thoughtful planning on the part of the project team to capture the pending rehabilitation project as an important piece of a long-term plan to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The DER design solution or the ZOT implementation plan must include the following:

• Substantial envelope improvements to minimize heating and cooling demands;
• Heat pump-based technology for space heating and cooling;
• Energy or heat recovery ventilation technology;
• Plan for electrification of domestic hot water systems (strongly encouraged);
• Plan for electrification of cooking appliances;
• Maximization of renewable energy systems and integration into project's capital approach; and
• Serious consideration of material decisions related to embodied carbon.

Eligibility Guidelines

The Climate Ready Housing Program is available for public, nonprofit, and for-profit multifamily affordable housing sponsors. At least 25% of housing occupants must have incomes not exceeding 60% of the area median income (AMI).

2024 Climate Ready Housing Awards

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the third round of funding awards under the Climate Ready Housing program. These funds will enable affordable housing properties across eight Massachusetts communities to significantly reduce their energy use through energy retrofits and electrification, which will lower costs for residents. The grant program will advance physical upgrades to a crucial segment of the state’s housing stock, improving indoor air quality and comfort for residents. Read the See full press release.

Application for 2025

The next round of Climate Ready Housing is expected to open in March 2025. For more information about the program, application materials, and deadlines, go to lisc.org/climatereadyhousing.

More information and application materials may be found at lisc.org/climatereadyhousing.