The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the completion of two transactions totaling $1.5 million to finance energy-efficient and climate-resilient improvements for affordable homes in Illinois under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). The rehabilitations will update existing common spaces, including replacing roofing, windows, doors, and lighting for very low-income seniors. Renovations will also include upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, electrification, insulation, renewable energy integration, and stormwater management.
“I’m proud to serve in an Administration that’s investing in an energy-efficient, climate resilient future for all communities,” said HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. “Today, we are delivering $1.5 million from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to install high-efficiency windows, support full electrification, and boost solar energy for Illinois families.”
The first project is a $750,000 loan to Brainerd Senior Center, a 60-unit building in Chicago. The second is a $750,000 grant to Round Barn Manor, a 156-unit building in Champaign. These transactions are the first to use GRRP funds for construction projects in Illinois.
“We are pleased to provide Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funding to Brainerd Senior Center and Round Barn Manor to help upgrade their properties, reduce carbon emissions, and make seniors’ homes safer and more energy efficient,” said Ethan Handelman, HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs. “Funding this work in Illinois and throughout the country to improve the lives of residents is exactly what this Administration intended by allocating $1 billion in funding for the program through the President’s Inflation Reduction Act.”
Constructed in 2000, Brainerd Senior Center will update all 60 units as well as existing common spaces with new roofing, windows, insulation, doors, lighting, electrification improvements among other updates. HUD provides rental assistance under the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program to 12 households at the property. The project is also participating in the City of Chicago Decarbonization program.
Built in 1978, Round Barn Manor will see improvements to vital systems such as mechanicals along with community space functions. It will also use Federal Solar Investment Tax Credits (ITC) to install a ground-mounted solar system adjacent to the site. HUD provides rental assistance under its Section 8 project-based rental assistance program to all households at the property.
Funded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), GRRP provides loans and grants for improvements on HUD-subsidized properties serving very low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Properties were selected through three distinct funding opportunities designed to meet diverse needs across the country.
As of July 23rd of this year:
- GRRP funding has been awarded to 171 properties covering more than 20,700 rental homes.
- Over $773 million has been allocated: $393 million in grants and $379 million in surplus cash loans.
- Approximately 900 properties have signed up for HUD’s free energy and water consumption benchmarking service funded through IRA.
More information about GRRP can be found on its website.
