Greening City Gardens

A case study in the effectiveness of a coordinated approach to accessing utility incentives for energy efficiency retrofits in multifamily affordable housing in California.

This case study describes a new approach to financing energy efficiency retrofits at affordable multifamily rental properties in California. The California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC) and Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) worked with LINC Housing (LINC) on a whole-building retrofit project to demonstrate how common barriers to financing energy retrofits can be overcome through close coordination with investor owned utilities.

The innovative approach taken at City Gardens Apartments in Santa Ana, California, was made possible through the cooperation and leadership of the owner, LINC, and senior managers from local utilities Southern California Gas Company (SCG) and Southern California Edison (SCE). The retrofit of City Gardens demonstrates the potential of a one-stop shop approach to financing efficiency retrofit work in California that provides owners with an integrated package of utility incentives and financing paid for by cost savings produced by the retrofit.