California's Cap-and-Trade-Funded Low-Income Weatherization Program Multifamily: Impact Report

Since 2014, the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) has administered the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) to provide low-income households with solar and energy upgrades and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While LIWP serves both multifamily and single-family homes, this impact report focuses on the Multifamily component of LIWP, implemented statewide by the Association for Energy Affordability.

In addition to doubling energy efficiency savings targets, Senate Bill 350 recognized that low-income renters and disadvantaged communities need tailored programs to overcome barriers to adoption of energy upgrades. LIWP Multifamily is the only state program designed to unlock the benefits of energy and solar retrofits for both residents and owners of multifamily low-income housing in underserved communities, through its flexible and comprehensive whole-building approach coupled with advanced technical assistance.

California has committed $54.4 million of California Climate Investment funds to LIWP Multifamily to date. More than 5,713 low-income renter households have been served to date, and over 10,000 households will be served with the funding allocated thus far.

However, the lack of stable, long-term funding is preventing this program from reaching its full potential. More than 1,000 multifamily buildings, housing approximately 18,000 low-income residents, remain on the program’s waitlist due to the funding shortfall. The State of California’s Clean Energy in Low Income Multifamily Buildings (CLIMB) Action Plan calls for the State to “establish stable funding for the Low Income Weatherization Program”.