The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) will receive over $37 million in Tenant Protection Vouchers to support residents during ongoing repairs. Additionally, NYCHA has recently been awarded $7.5 million to remove lead-based paint from public housing.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman revealed these funds during a visit to a Brooklyn affordable housing complex managed by NYCHA. During her visit, Todman emphasized HUD's efforts to reduce housing costs and expand assistance for lower-income Americans, including improving access to energy efficiency and clean energy.
“HUD is working to ensure that all Americans have access to homes that are not just affordable, but resilient,” said Todman. “Today, I am proud not only to release more funding to help New York families but to announce new actions to boost access to solar energy for these families. We know that solar energy can reduce both emissions and housing costs for owners and residents, and this Administration is working to ensure low-income families receive these critical benefits.”
Efforts by HUD aim to ensure that solar energy benefits reach residents of public housing communities and multifamily housing more quickly. Through President Biden and Vice President Harris' Inflation Reduction Act, incentives for clean energy have led to a historic increase in solar installations across the U.S., surpassing five million installations since they took office.
To facilitate solar installation on public housing properties, HUD announced that 100% of cost savings from solar power purchase agreements can stay with public housing properties when done in conjunction with an Energy Performance Contract. This update allows public housing authorities (PHAs) to retain up to 100% of cost savings from on-site solar and community solar projects.
Additionally, HUD, along with FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, announced a new working group focused on reducing transaction costs and simplifying processes for installing solar on multifamily properties. This initiative aims to meet the demands of both the housing and solar industries while enhancing sustainability.
During the Biden-Harris Administration, HUD has updated its guidance on financial benefits from on-site and community solar projects at HUD-supported properties. These updates ensure that residents benefit from expanding clean energy programs.
Moreover, through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), HUD has delivered over $770 million in funds aimed at upgrading more than 20,000 homes with clean energy generation—including solar—and climate resilience measures.
The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to combating climate change while ensuring every American has access to a healthy, sustainable home.
