The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.
An obscure federal program known as the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) is helping nonprofit housing developers in Denver stay afloat by providing grants to support the renovation of affordable housing properties.
As Robert Davis explains in a piece for Next City, the little-known program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and has paid out over $1.4 billion. “HUD-supported affordable housing providers can apply for up to $80,000 per unit in funding. The money must be used on upgrades that make the properties more resilient to climate hazards and improve residents’ quality of life.”
According to Michelle Diller, the senior program director for Building Resilient Futures at Enterprise Community Partners, “GRRP is the only HUD program to combine climate resiliency with green energy retrofits” and is “a forward-looking program that seeks to extend the lifetime of affordable housing units instead of simply repairing damages.” The program provides a key financial lifeline to offset rising operating costs for affordable housing providers and offers the chance to install retrofits that reduce future operating costs.
FULL STORY: A Little-Known Federal Program Is Keeping Senior Housing Affordable in Denver
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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