GRRP Awards $173.8 Million for Energy Efficiency Renovations

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced $173.8 million in new grant and loan awards under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), bringing the total funding awarded under this program to a total of $544 million, or more than 50 percent of funding being awarded through this program.

The announcement was made by HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at Archer Courts in Chicago, IL, which was awarded an $11.76 million grant under the program. The funds will be used by owner Jonathan Rose Companies for substantial energy efficiency renovations at this 146-unit property, which is home to low-income individuals and families. GRRP

The grants and loans announced under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will support energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations at 25 properties participating in HUD’s Multifamily project-based rental assistance programs for low-income individuals, families, and seniors. All of the investments will advance environmental justice in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Retrofitting these homes will reduce their carbon emissions, make them more resilient to extreme weather events, and advance the President’s housing and clean energy agenda, ensuring affordable housing stays affordable for residents and building owners across the nation. The awards include the first GRRP retrofit awards for properties located in the states of Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington.

“The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program is designed to improve the health, safety, quality and comfort of residents’ homes and to ensure HUD-assisted multifamily housing becomes more sustainable,” said Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing the negative impacts of climate change and HUD’s programs are an important part of this work.” GRRP

“Far too many Americans struggle to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. GRRPP

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has accelerated our efforts to deliver environmental justice for communities that have been left behind for too long. As part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, every single grant awarded under this program is delivering safe and climate resilient housing for residents most in need, including many that are at risk for damage from flooding and other climate fueled-extreme weather events,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history—established the GRRP in 2022 to fund energy efficiency and resiliency improvements for HUD’s assisted rental portfolio.