Energy Efficiency In Affordable Housing: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs

This guide describes how local governments have planned and implemented programs to reduce the energy-cost burden on low-income households while also generating other energy, environmental, and economic benefits for the local community and region. It is designed to be used by public housing authorities, other public and private entities that provide affordable housing assistance, local government staff, elected officials, and citizen groups.

Readers of the guide should come away with an understanding of options for improving energy efficiency in affordable housing, a clear idea of the steps and considerations involved in developing and implementing the various options, and an awareness of expected investment and funding opportunities.

The guide describes energy, environmental, and economic benefits of energy efficiency in affordable housing (Section 2); planning and design approaches (Section 3); key participants and their roles (Section 4); policy mechanisms that local governments have used to support programs for energy efficiency in affordable housing (Section 5); implementation strategies for effective programs (Section 6); investment and financing opportunities (Section 7); federal, state, and other program resources that may be able to help local governments with information or financial and technical assistance (Section 8); two case studies of successful local government programs for improving energy efficiency in affordable housing (Section 9); additional examples and information resources (Section 10); and finally, Section 11 includes references cited in the text. Additional examples of successful implementation are provided throughout the guide.