“New York’s nation-leading clean energy goals require that we reduce harmful building emissions across all communities,” Governor Hochul said. “Our comprehensive decarbonization strategy includes resources to ensure low- and moderate-income New Yorkers are not left behind in the transition. This $34 million will bring us closer to our goal of reaching two million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and achieving a better and greener future for the next generation of New Yorkers.”
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocated additional funding to states to support heat and energy conservation programs for low-income households, including the federally-funded Weatherization Assistance Program. Administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Weatherization Assistance Program helps reduce energy costs for income-eligible homeowners and renters by providing free services that help conserve energy and improve safety and health standards.
The $34 million made available for the Weatherization Stimulus Program is intended to reach households that otherwise would not be eligible for deep decarbonization assistance. Using the existing network of Weatherization Assistance Program sub-grantees, 31 awards were granted to nonprofit community developmental organizations and local municipalities to support project scoping and complete work to improve energy efficiency and decrease carbon emissions in income-eligible single and multi-family homes throughout New York State.
Additionally, a portion of the funds will be used to train and enhance existing sub-grantees capacity to deliver these services in the future, supporting the Governor’s goals of investing in and developing New York State’s workforce for climate-friendly activities.
The potential scope of work through the Weatherization Stimulus Program includes:
- Cold climate heat pump installation;
- Electrification readiness (e.g. improvements to electrical service);
- Ventilation cleaning, sealing and balancing;
- Health and safety building repairs and improvements;
- Building envelope improvements including enhanced insulation and air sealing.
The Governor’s unprecedented commitment to electrification-ready homes will help meet the State's carbon reduction target set by the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires an 85 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 and eventually net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy.
The awards announced today build upon the state’s Clean Energy Initiative and the $6.8 billion already devoted to reducing the carbon footprint of New York's building stock, including in HCR's affordable housing portfolio.
View a complete list of awards here.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The $34 million in awards allows us to expand our existing Weatherization Assistance Program in order to meet the ambitious targets set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. By making energy-efficient upgrades accessible to more than 1,000 income-eligible households, we can help lower energy bills for cost-burdened New Yorkers, address disparate health outcomes, and advance Governor Hochul’s goal of achieving two million climate-friendly homes by 2030.”
Vlada Kenniff, Vice President for Energy and Sustainability at the New York City Housing Authority, said, “Many of NYCHA’s stand-alone buildings require significant investments. The partnership with HCR and Weatherization Assistance Program service provider Association for Energy Affordability will allow us to address long-standing unfunded needs such as window replacements, making these buildings electrification ready, and electrifying space heating and hot water where feasible.”
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “For New York to achieve the goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, we need to address the largest source of energy use across the state: buildings. More energy efficiency results in less overall energy use, which reduces emissions and costs. This program is important to support building decarbonization and electrification across the state, which will ultimately provide significant benefits for both the climate and public health, while supporting low-income residents.”
Lisa Dix, New York Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition, said, “Today’s announcement is a great step forward toward Governor Hochul’s bold commitment to achieve two million electric-ready and electrified homes by 2030. Providing efficiency, weatherization, electric upgrades and clean heat investments to benefit New Yorkers who face disproportionate health impacts from climate pollution and increased energy burden due to volatile fossil fuel price spikes, is also a good example of equitable climate policy mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”
Rich Schrader, New York Policy Director at Natural Resources Defense Council, said, “Weatherization is critical to the fight against climate change and to clean up the air we breathe,” said Rich Schrader, New York Policy Director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “As we move towards a more sustainable future, programs that advance an equitable transition, like the Weatherization Stimulus Program, are necessary to ensure that all communities are able to get the health, economic, and climate benefits of cleaner energy.”
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