Green Scene
Energy- Efficient and Affordable
The Green Retrofit program hits a milestone, creates green jobs.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today a major Recovery Act milestone: 100 affordable housing developments—including 8,112 homes—around the country have been awarded more than $100 million to complete energy-efficient renovations with Recovery Act funds. These renovations will not only generate many necessary upgrades to thousands of affordable apartments, but they will also create jobs and save money for thousands of residents. The awards are part of HUD’s Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing, created for the first time through the Recovery Act. The Green Retrofit Program is providing $250 million nationally to reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality. The awards announced today represent the first 100 grants and loans awarded through the program. The remaining awards will be made on a rolling basis from now through September 30, 2010. The 100 awards announced today
will create an average energy savings of $33,000 per property, or $3.3 million annually and, on average, tenants will save over $250 each on utility bills annually.
“I am proud to announce this
significant Recovery Act milestone because it is an example of HUD’s ongoing commitment to creating jobs while also building sustainable homes and communities,” says Secretary Donovan. “The Green Retrofit Program
20 GreenBuilder September 2010
Where housing and the environment connect
The Green Retrofit Program is designed to create thousands of green jobs as workers retrofit older federally assisted multifamily apartments with energy-efficient tech.
is just one example of how the Recovery Act is making a long-term impact on American families and communities by reducing energy costs, creating quality green jobs and improving the quality of life for people across the country.”
The Green Retrofit Program is designed
to create thousands of green jobs as workers retrofit older federally assisted multi- family apartment developments with the next generation of energy efficient technologies. Grants and loans provided through this program help private landlords and property management companies to cut heating and air conditioning costs such as by
installing more efficient heating and cooling systems, and to reduce water use such as by replacing faucets and toilets. These Recovery Act funds also produce other environmental benefits by encouraging the use of recycled building materials, reflective roofing, and non-toxic products to reduce ‘off-gassing’ of potentially harmful fumes. Funds are awarded to owners of HUD-assisted housing projects and can be used for a wide range of retrofit activities, ranging from windows/doors to solar panels and geothermal installation. For more information and a complete list of Recovery Act Green Retrofit Program awards being issued, visit
www.hud.gov.
www.greenbuildermag.com
Photo: Anita Hart/flickr
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