Energy Efficiency as an Integral Part of Infrastructure

By Todd Nedwick, Director of Housing and Energy Efficiency

HUD Secretary Ben Carson recently said that he will advocate for affordable housing to be included in a Trump Administration infrastructure proposal. An infrastructure investment strategy, that will pay dividends, would make much needed energy efficiency upgrades in older affordable rental homes. Improving the energy efficiency of the nation's subsidized affordable housing stock supports well-paying jobs, helps to preserve affordable housing, reduces government spending in the long-run, and creates economic opportunity for low-income families.

There is significant potential for energy and cost savings in affordable multifamily housing. Utilities spend nearly $8 billion annually on efficiency improvements to buildings, but low-income households have not received an equitable share of this investment.

To address this imbalance, NHT, along with NRDC, the Energy Foundation, and Elevate Energy, launched Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) four years ago. The goal of EEFA is to increase energy efficiency investments in affordable multifamily housing in 12 priority states (California, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana) and nationally. We work in collaboration with nearly 50 state, local and national organizations to achieve this goal. Together we've secured $230 million of utility energy efficiency funding for affordable multifamily housing.

Although progress is being made, there remain significant gaps in energy efficiency funding available to affordable multifamily building owners and residents. A federal infrastructure investment in affordable housing energy efficiency can help fill these gaps, and provide economic opportunity to millions of hardworking families.