Electric vehicle plugged into EV charger

Leveraging Available Incentives for EV Charging Infrastructure on Multifamily Properties

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by Ravi Malhotra NH&RA Tax Credit Advisor, June 2023 As demand for electric vehicles (EVs) intensifies, multifamily (MF) owners and operators are increasingly forced to explore their EV charging options. EV sales have soared, increasing by 67% from 2021 to 2022, and the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) has adopted an International Code Council provision requiring apartment communities to provide EV charging …

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HUD Launches New Program to Pay for Multifamily Green Rehab

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The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the availability of  landmark funding through the new Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) to support retrofits for HUD-assisted multifamily affordable housing (MFAH) properties.    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided HUD with approximately $837M in grant funding and $4B in loan authority for the GRRP. This program simultaneously invests in utility efficiency, renewable …

Renewable or clean energy generation prices and costs, financial concept : Green eco-friendly symbols atop coin stacks e.g. energy efficient light bulb, a battery, a solar cell panel, a wind turbine.

Clean Energy Financing Insights – Why Green Retrofits Offer Better Bang for the Buck

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It is understandably challenging for cost-constrained multifamily affordable housing (MFAH) property owners and managers to spend their carefully budgeted dollars on unfamiliar green tech (e.g., heat pump-based HVAC) vs. familiar technologies with lower upfront costs. While “going green” can be expensive, traditional or “business as usual” retrofits have limited benefits. They may solve an immediate problem (e.g., addressing/replacing failed HVAC …

Solar Panels being installed on roof

Case Study: Energy Retrofits in New Mexico

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Case Study: Energy Retrofits in New Mexico By Mark Fogarty / NH&RA Issue: April 2023 Solar Panels Come with Home Improvements  Residents at three public housing authority properties for Santa Fe County in New Mexico are happy to see solar panels installed on the roofs of their projects, as the arrays also come with 16 additional upgrades for the tenants. The …

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Accessing Federal and Utility Incentives for Green Projects

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By Ravi Malhotra / NH&RA Issue: April 2023 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) $3.2 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This is on top of the ongoing ~$1.6 billion allocation (the standard WAP allocation independent of the BIL money for WAP) over the next five years. The BIL funds allow for some …

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Green Retrofits Signal the Future in Cities’ Push Towards Decarbonization

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Green Retrofits Signal the Future in Cities’ Push Towards Decarbonization By Abram Mamet / NH&RA April 2023 Green Retrofitting in Practice  Well-considered and meaningfully executed retrofits have become increasingly important as communities across the country seek out effective climate resilience strategies. States like Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania are at the forefront of that movement, having each enacted legislation or …

ICAST Experts Weigh In: Available Federal Tax Credits, Incentives, and Grants for Underserved Communities

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ICAST Experts Weigh In: Available Federal Tax Credits, Incentives, and Grants for Underserved Communities  By Ravi Malhotra: Founder and President| Mr. Malhotra’s focus is finding financially sustainable models to solve the affordable housing crisis while tackling climate change. He manages the design and implementation of all ICAST programs and initiatives. Kristen Cheriegate: Senior Policy Analyst | Ms. Cheriegate navigates ICAST through …

ICAST Secures Contracts to Grow its Clean Energy Efforts in Underserved Communities

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ICAST Secures Contracts to Grow its Clean Energy Efforts in Underserved Communities ICAST has been busy forming new partnerships with federal and state agencies, utility companies, and others to deliver clean energy retrofits in multifamily affordable housing (MFAH). It has also been working with its existing partners to act on new opportunities. A few highlights of ICAST’s recent efforts are …

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ICAST Experts Weigh In: The Inflation Reduction Act: Potential for Scaling Solar in Underserved Communities

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ICAST Experts Weigh In: The Inflation Reduction Act: Potential for Scaling Solar in Underserved Communities By Sam Lipman | ICAST Director of Solar Programs Mr. Lipman is responsible for the development of shared solar projects, thus furthering ICAST’s work to help underserved communities benefit from clean energy solutions.   While solar PV generation in the U.S. has grown dramatically, this growth has not …