The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the closing of a $231,623 Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) transaction aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and climate resilience for affordable rental homes in Calais, Maine. This initiative targets the St. Croix Apartments, home to 26 seniors, marking the first construction project in Maine to utilize such funding.
Adrianne Todman, HUD Agency Head, highlighted the importance of this development: “Through the Inflation Reduction Act and the ongoing support of President Biden and Vice President Harris, HUD continues to deliver funding to modernize HUD-assisted housing and ensure these homes are resilient. Today’s announcement means Calais seniors will benefit from the energy efficiency upgrades resulting from the installation of solar energy.”
St. Croix Apartments serves low-income seniors with rental assistance provided under HUD's Section 202 Housing for Low-Income Elderly program. The GRRP funds will be used to install a 79.87 kW grid-tied solar system at this property, which includes features like unit heat pumps.
Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs, expressed satisfaction with this achievement: “We are pleased to complete this Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funding transaction with St. Croix Apartments to help support the energy efficiency and climate resilience for the homes of Calais seniors. Funding this work in Calais to improve affordable homes for low-income seniors is exactly what the Inflation Reduction Act and its $1 billion in funding for GRRP was intended to do.”
The GRRP is funded under the Inflation Reduction Act and provides loans and grants for improvements on HUD-subsidized properties serving very low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. It focuses on improving energy or water efficiency, enhancing indoor air quality, installing zero-emission electricity generation equipment among other initiatives.
More information about GRRP can be found on their website.
