Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing SOLID WASTE and MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
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State and Local Energy and Environment Program LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE AND ENERGY STRATEGY SERIES Housing A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 2018 EPA’s Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series The Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series provides a comprehensive, straightforward overview of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies that local governments can employ. Topics include energy efficiency, transportation, community planning and design, solid waste and materials management, and renewable energy. City, county, territorial, tribal, and regional government staff and elected officials can use these guides to plan, implement, and evaluate GHG reduction and energy projects. Each guide in the series provides an overview of project benefits, policy mechanisms, investments, key stakeholders, and other implementation considerations. Examples and case studies highlighting achievable results from programs implemented in communities across the United States are incorporated throughout the guides. While each guide stands on its own, the entire series contains many interrelated strategies that can be combined to create comprehensive, cost-effective programs that generate multiple benefits. For example, efforts to improve energy efficiency can be combined with transportation and community planning and design programs to reduce GHG emissions, decrease the costs of energy and transportation for businesses and residents, improve air quality and public health, and enhance quality of life. Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series All guides in the series are available at https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-government-strategy-series. ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DESIGN . Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations . Smart Growth . Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools . Urban Heat Island Reduction . Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing SOLID WASTE AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT . Energy-Efficient Product Procurement . Resource Conservation and Recovery . Combined Heat and Power RENEWABLE ENERGY . Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities . Green Power Procurement TRANSPORTATION . On-Site Renewable Energy Generation . Transportation Control Measures . Landfill Gas Energy Please note: All web addresses in this document were working as of the time of publication, but links may break over time as sites are reorganized and content is moved. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... v 1. Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing ................................................................................ 2 3. Planning and Design Approaches for Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing ......................................... 5 Improving Energy Efficiency in Existing Affordable Housing .............................................................................................................. 9 Evaluate Home Energy Consumption .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Develop an Action Plan to Improve Energy Efficiency ............................................................................................................... 10 Energy Efficiency in New Affordable Housing ................................................................................................................................... 13 Energy-Efficient New Home Features ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Planning and Designing Energy-Efficient New Affordable Housing ........................................................................................... 13 Energy Efficiency in Green Affordable Housing ................................................................................................................................ 15 4. Key Participants .................................................................................................................................... 16 5. Opportunities for Local Governments to Support Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing ..................... 20 6. Strategies for Effective Program Implementation .................................................................................. 22 Strategies for Working with Developers and Other Affordable Housing Stakeholders in the Community ...................................... 23 Strategies for Working with Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies ................................................................................. 25 7. Investment and Financing Opportunities ............................................................................................... 26 Investment ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Financing ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Financial Vehicles....................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Funding Sources......................................................................................................................................................................... 30 8. Federal, State, and Other Program Resources ........................................................................................ 32 Federal Programs .............................................................................................................................................................................. 32 State Programs ................................................................................................................................................................................. 34 Other Programs ................................................................................................................................................................................ 34 9. Case Studies .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Philadelphia Housing Authority and the City of Philadelphia: Reducing Energy Costs for Public and Private Affordable Housing ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 37 Program Initiation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Program Features ...................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Program Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Austin, Texas: Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance for Multifamily Buildings ..................................................... 39 Program Initiation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Program Features ...................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Program Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 41 10. Additional Examples and Information Resources ................................................................................... 41 11. References ............................................................................................................................................ 47 policy mechanisms that local governments have used to EXECUTIVE SUMMARY support programs for energy efficiency in affordable housing (Section 5); implementation strategies for Developing and Implementing Energy effective programs (Section 6); investment and financing Efficiency Programs opportunities (Section 7); federal, state, and other program resources that may be able to help local Saving energy through energy efficiency improvements governments with information or financial and technical can cost less than generating, transmitting, and assistance (Section 8); two case studies of successful distributing energy from power plants. As shown in the local government programs for improving energy box to the right, energy efficiency also provides a range of efficiency in affordable housing (Section 9); additional important environmental, public health, and economic examples and information