The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced $69.1 million in awards to properties across 10 states under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). These funds are aimed at supporting significant energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations in nearly 2,000 homes. The grants and loans will enhance energy and water efficiency, reduce climate pollution, generate renewable energy, lower housing operating costs, promote green building materials, and improve residents' quality of life by making their homes more resilient to climate hazards.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman made the announcement at a press conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where over $6 million was awarded for upgrades at Crafton Towers.
“HUD has awarded over $840 million through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to modernize housing for families across the country,” said Todman. “The awards announced today advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s housing and clean energy goals to ensure Americans have access to affordable homes that are resilient to extreme weather events and energy efficient to reduce carbon emissions.”
The GRRP was established in 2022 under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history—to fund energy efficiency and climate resiliency improvements for multifamily properties participating in HUD’s project-based rental assistance programs. The investments announced today aim to advance environmental justice in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to ensure that 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and burdened by pollution.
“Far too many Americans struggle to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s awards from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will boost the quality of life for thousands of moderate- and low-income American families by making their homes safer and more comfortable.”
“These investments represent our dedication to improving the lives and homes of residents by making them healthier, more energy efficient, and safer in the face of severe weather,” said Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon. “The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program awards are putting funding directly into properties and communities where they are needed most.”
The newly announced grants mark the first awards under this program for Vermont and Wyoming, bringing total funding under GRRP to over $842 million across 39 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. This marks the fourth set of awards made under GRRP's Leading Edge category, which provides funding for significant energy efficiency improvements related to carbon reduction, renewable energy generation, and clean building materials with lower embodied carbon. Further announcements for Comprehensive and Elements categories are expected soon.
“HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program is spurring investments in green building that reduce carbon emissions, keep residents healthier, make communities safer, and help combat the effects of climate change,” said Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs.
All 11 properties receiving Leading Edge awards today participate in HUD's Section 8 project-based rental assistance program for low-income individuals and families. These include two properties with over 200 units each; eight properties with between 51-200 units; one property with fewer than 50 units.
