Improving Income Qualification for Energy Efficiency Programs: Recommended Approaches for Subsidized Affordable Housing

Energy efficiency programs are an important resource for subsidized affordable housing owners, managers, and residents. These programs enable properties operating on tight budgets to install efficiency upgrades that lower bills and improve health and comfort for low-income residents and communities. However, all too often affordable housing properties are unable to participate in these valuable programs due to unnecessarily exclusive income eligibility requirements and/or the sometimes burdensome administrative obligations associated with providing documentation.

In collaboration with Energy Efficiency for All, Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future developed this fact sheet to offer guidance on how to design and administer income-eligibility criteria for low-income utility efficiency programs in ways that reduce barriers for the affordable housing owners and their residents who need these resources the most.