Rental properties are less energy efficient than owner-occupied homes, consuming an average of 15% more energy per square foot and leading to higher energy costs for residents. This has led to nearly a third of renters reporting that they are behind on their energy bills. Comprehensive, cost-effective energy-efficiency upgrades on these homes can help deliver substantial savings to both their residents and owners. However, property owners must approve these projects first, and many retrofit programs encounter challenges in identifying and appealing to owners.
Join us to learn how to best identify and engage rental property owners, particularly those with only one or a few properties. ACEEE will showcase published resources to help participants effectively identify and engage owners. An expert from the National League of Cities will join us to share what their research has shown to work in communities across the country. We'll also be joined by a city staffer sharing a real-world example from Ann Arbor’s Green Rental Housing program. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer discussions to share their approaches to engaging property owners.
Speakers
Roxana Ayala, Senior Research Analyst, Local Policy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Roxana assists the local policy program with research and technical assistance related to city-led clean energy policy. She contributes significantly to ACEEE’s research on inclusive workforce development, energy affordability, and energy equity. Prior to joining ACEEE in 2019, Roxana worked with the United States Forest Service as a conservation educator fellow. Before that, she interned with the Natural Capital Project at the University of Minnesota. Roxana holds a BA in environmental science and urban studies from the University of California, Irvine.
Stefen Samarripas, Senior Local Policy Manager, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Stefen conducts research, analysis, and outreach on policies and programs that encourage energy efficiency in local communities. His work currently focuses on supporting local-government-led clean energy initiatives and scaling up energy efficiency investments in affordable housing. Prior to joining ACEEE in 2016, Stefen worked with community development and housing organizations in the Atlanta, Georgia, metro area. Stefen worked with Cobb County’s Community Development Agency, and he worked with Georgia Advancing Communities Together, conducting research on policies affecting Georgia’s housing and community development organizations. Stefen holds a master of city and regional planning from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Krista Lee, Program Assistant, Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity program, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Krista assists with the Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) initiative, which encourages local policy makers to invest in energy upgrades for affordable housing. She joined ACEEE in 2022. Prior to joining ACEEE, Krista worked at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health as a student researcher and at the city of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure as an intern. Most recently, she worked at E. Holdings Inc. as a communications specialist. Krista received a bachelor of arts in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
Lauren Lowery, Director of Housing and Community Development, National League of Cities
Lauren’s research and technical assistance focus at the National League of Cities (NLC) includes housing supply, housing stability, homelessness, and community development. Prior to joining NLC, Lauren worked for seven years in local government serving the residents of Norfolk and Chattanooga.
Joe Lange, Senior Energy Analyst, City of Ann Arbor, Office of Sustainability & Innovation
Joe focuses on the design, implementation, and development of various residential energy-related programs. Prior to joining the city, Joe worked with scientists, local governments, and wildlife managers across Indiana to prepare for environmental change. Joe has a Masters in Environmental Science and an MPA from Indiana University, and a BA in Environmental Policy from Michigan State. In his free time, he enjoys wildlife watching, hiking, and spending time with his cats.
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