The EEFA Initiative
In 2013, Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) launched as a nationally-driven campaign to expand energy efficiency program benefits to low-income and affordable multifamily housing. Led and organized by climate and affordable housing policy leaders, EEFA was an innovative collaboration between energy efficiency, climate, and affordable housing partners that had historically not sought to work together.
In 2020, a Reimagining process began to support more democratic decision making among those working at the state and local levels, to open up partnership in a more equitable way by including ongoing advocacy from frontline organizations and impacted communities in shaping the work, and to increase transparency around allocation of funding for this effort. The processes lasted three years and challenged EEFA to more substantially recognize the connected nature of climate, health, and equity.
For more information about the genesis of this process, please review the EEFA assessment report, prepared by Keecha Harris and Associates.
In 2021, through an invitation from the JPB Foundation, Movement Strategy Center (MSC) joined the EEFA initiative as the funding intermediary. As a movement support organization, MSC’s mission is to cultivate the transformative power necessary to accelerate a Just Transition. Learn more about the MSC’s mission and vision for a radical shift in philanthropy here.
Focus Areas
We all have the right to a secure and healthy home and a clean and safe environment, but those seemingly basic rights are out of reach for millions of Americans. Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) unites people from diverse sectors and backgrounds, including housing, energy efficiency, environmental, health, and community leaders, to collectively make multifamily homes healthy and affordable through energy and water efficiency.
Betty Arnez found it difficult to get by with high energy bills before efficiency upgrades were made to her apartment. Photo by Marcela Gara, Resource Media.
Energy efficient and affordable homes remain out of reach for millions of Americans, spurred on by flawed energy and housing policies. Our advocacy and organizing persuade local, state and federal officials to deliver more equitable policies.
The challenges that inhibit access to affordable and healthy homes are complex and require cooperative and interdisciplinary solutions. EEFA supports collaboration across both state and national efforts to learn together and develop collective solutions.
Energy efficiency improves indoor air quality and protects residents from harmful weather. The use of non-toxic building materials in energy retrofits protects residents, installers, and the broader community from exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Utility bills can comprise one-fifth of operating expenses of multifamily buildings. Savings via energy and water efficiency upgrades allow housing providers to replenish their reserves, address deferred maintenance, and increase resident services.
Energy efficiency is beneficial for both owners and residents of affordable housing. EEFA promotes proven best practices in program design and implementation to help administrators meet the needs of building owners and residents.
The share of income that black, Latinx, renters, and rural households spend on energy is far greater than for other households. Energy efficiency improvements can significantly cut or eliminate the excess energy burden experienced by these households.
