Clean Energy Services

The California Housing Partnership works directly with nonprofit affordable housing owners and public housing authorities to help them identify creative ways to finance energy and water retrofits and clean energy improvements for their properties. This involves educating owners about the programs and opportunities for incentives available, as well as developing innovative demonstration projects to explore new technologies, financing tools and business models for affordable rental homes.

Focusing on Affordable Housing Funding & Incentive Programs for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Technical assistance included!

  • Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
  • All-Electric Building Design
  • Fuel Switching 
  • Energy Efficiency 
  • …and more

Program Implementation & Outreach

The California Housing Partnership works closely with industry partners to expand the footprint for several clean energy programs and support non-profit affordable housing developers in their implementation. 

To request information about the Partnership’s technical assistance (TA) and nonprofit ME&O services, please Contact Us by selecting “Sustainable Housing” as the message subject.

 

Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)

For solar hot water systems, rooftop solar PV, and energy efficiency measures in existing affordable housing properties

The California Housing Partnership works closely with the to help lead nonprofit outreach efforts for LIWP and provide technical assistance to affordable housing owners and operators.

The California Low-Income Weatherization Program for Multifamily Properties (LIWP) provides technical assistance and incentives for the installation of rooftop solar systems, solar hot water heater systems and energy efficiency measures on existing low-income multifamily properties in disadvantaged communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. These improvements reduce residential energy demand and GHG emissions, lower energy costs for low-income residents, and reduce owner operating costs.

Program Partner: Association for Energy Affordability 

Services Provided: Non-profit outreach & technical assistance for affordable housing owners and operators.

Learn more or schedule an intake call/portfolio review with Angel Rodriguez at arodriguez[at]chpc.net.

 

Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH)

For solar photovoltaic systems in existing affordable housing properties

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives for installing photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on multifamily affordable housing in California. The program delivers clean power and credits on energy bills to hundreds of thousands of the state’s affordable housing residents. SOMAH is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Program Partners: Association for Energy AffordabilityGRID Alternatives, and the Center for Sustainable Energy // Services Provided: Non-profit outreach & technical assistance for affordable housing owners and operators.

Learn more or schedule an intake call/portfolio review with Rachael Diaz at rdiaz[at]chpc.net.

 

Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD)

For all-electric implementations and fuel switching in affordable housing new construction

The Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) program, stewarded by the California Energy Commission, is designed to provide incentives for new all-electric low-income residential buildings that reduce GHG emissions. Technical assistance is available for low income all-electric residential building planning, project fuel-switching, low-emissions building design and technologies, and incentive application completion. 

Program Partners: Association for Energy Affordability, TRC // Services Provided: Non-profit outreach & technical assistance for affordable housing owners and operators.

Learn more or schedule an intake call/portfolio review with Ian Sharples at isharples[at]chpc.net.

 

Comprehensive Affordable Multifamily Retrofits (CAMR)

For energy efficiency retrofits, building electrification, and on-site solar in existing affordable housing properties in Los Angeles

The Comprehensive Affordable Multifamily Retrofits (CAMR) program is designed to provide low-income renters with access to energy efficiency retrofits, including building electrification and on-site solar installation. Participating housing providers can access free energy assessments for their building and assistance in scoping retrofit projects based on opportunities for energy savings, cost reductions, and GHG emissions reduction. This program helps low-income renters and building owners save money on energy bills, create green jobs, and deliver on key sustainability objectives.

Program Partner: Association for Energy Affordability // Services Provided: Non-profit outreach & technical assistance for affordable housing owners and operators.

Learn more or schedule an intake call/portfolio review with Angel Rodriguez at arodriguez[at]chpc.net.


Green Guides & Toolkits

 
 
 
Crossover Report
Plumbing Crossover Investigation and Repair (2020)
An Affordable Housing Owner’s Guide to Utility Allowances (2016)
 
Matrix of Utility Multifamily Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Program Matrix (2015)
Preservation of Affordable Homes Near Transit Toolkit cover
Preservation of Affordable Homes Near Transit Toolkit (2015)
 

MORE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING RESOURCES

 

 


Demonstration Projects

The California Housing Partnership partners with mission-aligned organizations to demonstrate innovate energy and water technologies, business models and financing solutions for affordable rental homes. Please Contact Us for details by selecting the message subject “Sustainable Housing.”

WATER ENERGY NEXIS
In 2020, the Partnership published a report on crossover in plumbing systems that typically occurs when valves fail or leak and water mixes between a building’s hot and cold water pipes. The report provides information for multifamily building owners and presents targeted crossover investigation and repair strategies to decrease high water use and reduce energy bills.

ON-BILL REPAYMENT
In 2017, we published a case study on our Santa Monica test of financing energy savings through on-bill repayment, rather than through a loan. Our findings helped to shape California’s statewide on-bill repayment pilot, which launched in 2018.


Solar 101 Institute and GREEN Network

During Affordable Housing Month in May, the Partnership hosts an annual “Solar 101 Institute” training series covering the nuts and bolts of solar PV installations at affordable housing properties. Please view our events calendar for this and other upcoming sustainable housing trainings.

Year-round, the Partnership convenes the GREEN networking group for multifamily affordable housing operators to discuss solar, energy efficiency and water conservation resources for low-income renters and affordable housing properties.

  • GREEN Talks & Events
  • Yammer Messaging Forum
  • Annual Summit
  • Advisory Board

View page: GREEN Activities