HUD Promotes Initiatives, Continues Push to Use Funding for Housing
In recent weeks HUD and its partner federal agencies have continued to promote the development of programs authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and to communicate their progress to housing agencies and the public across the country. In addition to press releases and statements from the Acting Secretary, many associated with Climate Week in New York City, HUD devoted its biweekly Stakeholder Briefing on October 10 to these issues.
Recent HUD Actions include the following:
- Changes in the updated Public Housing Energy Performance Contract (EPC) and Rate Reduction Incentive (RRI) notices, as reported on in the October 2 Advocate, now allow agencies to retain 100% of the cost savings from solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) when done in conjunction with an Energy Performance Contract (EPC), and allow 100% retention of savings when a RRI is combined with an EPC, allowing agencies to benefit from on-site and community solar, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All program and Treasury’s Direct Pay tax provisions. See Public Housing Energy Branch | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for more information.
- Release of updated extreme heat and health hazard resources, including the Extreme Heat Quick Guide, an updated environmental justice web site, and continued all of government approach to pursue the National Heat Strategy.
- Announcement of a new Memorandum of Understanding signed by HUD with the Departments of Commerce, Interior, Labor, Energy, the EPA and AmeriCorps to advance workforce development, including HUD’s joining to support the American Climate Corps.
- Release of new Build for the Future Retrofit Guide, and launch of a major update to the HUD Build For the Future Funding Navigator.
HUD Highlights Accomplishments and Opportunities
During its bi-weekly public engagement virtual meeting on October 10, 2024, HUD highlighted its overall climate-related goals, including the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) and its associated energy benchmarking technical assistance. PHADA will continue to push to allow public housing properties to receive energy consumption benchmarking assistance, as baseline use and ongoing tracking is needed for many incentives.
Bennett Hilly, Senior Advisor for Housing and Sustainability, HUD Multifamily, provided information on how housing and climate are intertwined, noting that most HUD PIH and Multifamily housing is older and will still be here in 2050. This housing requires deep retrofits that will not only reduce energy consumption and costs, but will also decrease climate emissions and improve the health of housing. In these efforts, attention to everything from the building envelope to the heating and cooling energy sources must be considered. Hilly then highlighted initiatives such as the updated Build for the Future Retrofit Guide and Funding Navigator (see above).
Emily Haeckel, Policy Advisor at HUD PIH discussed non-HUD funding opportunities. These programs, mostly operated by states or other awarded intermediaries, are largely just getting started. As reviewed in the August 7th Advocate, these include the following:
- The EPA National Clean Investment Fund, the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the Solar for All program.
- The Department of Energy (DOE) Home Energy Rebate programs, to be administered by states, provide rebates to owners who improve their whole-home energy efficiency through a variety of means, and/or upgrade to electric appliances that replace fossil-fuel burning appliances including hot water heaters, clothes dryers, and stoves in addition to HVAC systems. A handy map on the DOE webpage Home Energy Rebates | Department of Energy provides information and links to state programs, including a dashboard on the status of each state’s program and state contact information.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, funds state and local entities to provide weatherization services to low-income households. First established in 1976, the WAP received billions of additional funding through the IRA and other legislation to support weather-sealing, building envelope improvements, and other actions to reduce home energy use and cost for low-income households. Any property that houses a low-income household is eligible, and current rules and guidance include increased focus on multifamily affordable housing. In most cases, public and assisted housing is categorically eligible, and agencies are encouraged to partner with their state or local WAP operator. These resources can also be combined with other initiatives, such as the Small and Rural Frozen-Rolling Base program or the RRI to further enhance the costs savings and other benefits of WAP investments for both residents and housing authorities.
New Flood Risk Resources
In a follow-up to the updated Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), HUD recently posted webinar materials and a new and updated FFRMS section in their interactive Environmental Review FAQs on HUD Exchange. According to HUD, the newly launched FFRMS FAQs address many of the questions received from grantees about: the Applicability of the 8-Step Decision-Making Process and Part 55; Critical Actions; Determining the FFRMS Floodplain; Effective Dates; Elevation Requirements; Floodplain Notifications; Mapping Scenarios; Nonstructural Improvements/Infrastructure; Part 200 Minimum Property Standards; Publication of Notices; and Wetlands.
FEMA Requests Comments on Disaster Recovery Framework
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested comments on its draft Third Edition of the National Disaster Recovery Framework, which explains the federal government’s roles and responsibilities for organizing and deploying disaster recovery assistance. It also enhances effective collaboration among federal agencies and state, local, territorial governments and Tribal Nations, while informing non-governmental partners. More information and the draft revision can be found at National Disaster Recovery Framework Public Comment Period | FEMA.gov.