Energy retrofits in affordable housing advance decarbonization, comfort, and health, but protections are sometimes needed to ensure they do not result in rent increases, displacement, or disruptions. This resource, intended for local governments, utilities, and energy program administrators, identifies four strategies to mitigate energy upgrade risks: implementing affordability covenants, developing tenant habitability plans, establishing community accountability plans, and minimizing pass-through costs. Each strategy includes definitions, benefits, implementation considerations, and case studies demonstrating practical applications. By integrating these approaches, programs can balance energy and equity goals, ensuring upgrades improve buildings without burdening residents.
Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) provides deep technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments as well as community-based organizations to jumpstart energy upgrades for single-family and multifamily affordable housing, especially in frontline communities. R2E2 is a partnership of the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Elevate, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and HR&A Advisors. Learn more about the R2E2 initiative and discover more R2E2 resources.