The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the third round of funding awards under the Climate Ready Housing program. The program is led by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in collaboration with Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MassHousing, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation Massachusetts (LISC MA).

The Climate Ready Housing (CRH) awardees for 2024 include the Coalition for a Better Acre’s (CBA) New North Canal Apartments.

CBA will receive CRH funding for the green retrofit project it plans at the 267-unit campus property located in Lowell. The project proposes building envelope improvements, balanced ventilation upgrades, and electrical service upgrades. This project is electing a Zero Over Time (ZOT) approach, so upgrades enabled by CRH funds will pave the way for later mechanical system and appliance electrification.

“The Coalition for a Better Acre is honored to be awarded Climate Ready Housing program funds for our North Canal project,” said CBA Real Estate Project Manager Brendan Conley. “The funding brings us one step closer to reducing energy usage and preserving much needed affordable housing in the city of Lowell.”

These funds will enable affordable housing properties across eight Massachusetts communities to significantly reduce their energy use through energy retrofits and electrification, which will lower costs for evidence. The grant program will advance physical upgrades to a crucial segment of the state’s housing stock, improving indoor air quality and comfort for residents.

“This third round of funding goes even further toward lowering emissions from our existing buildings, which reduces costs for Massachusetts residents while being good for the environment and our health,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts continues to lead on decarbonizing affordable housing properties as we make progress on our mission to tackle high housing and energy costs head-on.”

“These green initiatives create a healthier standard of living for families in our housing developments while at the same time providing opportunities for local workers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future through these deep energy retrofits.”

The program was created and authorized under the state’s 2021 Economic Development Bond Bill and seeded at $1.6 million annually. After two successful pilot rounds, the Healey-Driscoll Administration increased annual program funding tenfold, making $16 million available for this third round. The program enables deep energy retrofits and decarbonization projects in the affordable housing sector that benefit low- and moderate-income residents.

Projects submitted for this funding opportunity pursued one of the following two decarbonization approaches:

• Deep Energy Retrofits (DER): This approach requires extensive building envelope improvements, electrification of building systems, and maximization of on-site renewable energy production. Projects achieve at least 50 percent in energy savings and significant carbon emissions reductions.

• Zero Carbon Emissions Over Time (ZOT): This approach focuses on projects with thoughtful strategies for reducing emissions over time in alignment with planned upgrades. Projects propose strategic, short-term interventions that contribute to a long-term, comprehensive plan to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

More than 40 projects submitted a pre-application for the 2024 round, of which 13 were selected for new funding awards totaling approximately $16 million. Recommended project awards will enable energy retrofit improvements in 997 units of affordable housing across the state.

MHP and MassHousing provide funding administration and application support on behalf of EOHLC. Additional application and programmatic support are provided by LISC MA.

The next round of Climate Ready Housing is expected to open in March 2025. For more information about the program, application materials, and deadlines, go to www.lisc.org/climatereadyhousing.