Remember the major infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021? CAI recently reviewed H.R.3684 the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for programs that may impact community associations.
The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Capitalization Grant Program empowers states to conduct energy audits of residential homes, issue recommendations for increased energy efficiency to homeowners, and provide loans for retrofitting homes to meet energy efficiency recommendations.
The inclusion of multifamily residential buildings in the initial eligibility criteria is a promising step, and the use of state energy officials to implement this program provides an opportunity at the state level to request that community associations, in particular condominium and housing cooperative associations, are designated as eligible entities.
Individual homeowners in single-family, condominium, duplex, or manufactured housing are currently eligible to receive these vital loan funds via state-run programs, not community associations.
CAI is working with state Legislative Action Committees (LAC) to send letters to their respective departments of energy to urge states to include condominium and cooperative associations as eligible nonprofit entities that can apply for energy audits and subsequent loan funding under the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program.
This week, the CAI Massachusetts LAC met with the Massachusetts Department of Energy to explore options for funding. We’re hopeful these conversations lead to funding and grant opportunities for community associations across the country.
Is your community participating in energy efficiency initiatives? Tell us what you’re doing.
RESOURCES:
Find your State Department of Energy and Ask them about Funding!
Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers (related)
CAI’s Environmental Quality Public Policy, and CAI’s Conservation, Sustainability and Green Issues Public Policy.
