Mass. Gov. Healey announces $27M in grants toward green energy updates for affordable housing

Gov. Maura Healey announced the first recipients of a multi-million dollar grant aimed toward financing green energy upgrades in 10 affordable housing units across the commonwealth.

The grant awarded $27 million to seven organizations in Massachusetts that will help affordable housing units upgrade their equipment, insulation and other features to lower energy demand and decarbonize homes, according to the governor’s office.

The statewide funds are part of the Affordable Housing Deep Energy Retrofit Grant Program. The program, according to the governor’s office, includes benefits such as buildings with improved air quality and lower energy costs.

“Every day, I hear from residents who are struggling with the high costs of energy and housing. This grant program will lower monthly energy bills and maintain affordable housing for families across Massachusetts,” Healey said in a statement.

“Electrifying our buildings presents an important opportunity to drive down energy costs for our residents. We will continue to pursue smart, cost-effective strategies that make our state more affordable, while keeping us on the cutting edge of climate innovation,” Healey said.

The grant recipients include Preservation of Affordable Housing in Salem, which was offered nearly $5 million, Beacon Communities Development LLC which was awarded $3 million and Valley Community Development Corporation in Northampton which was awarded nearly $2 million.

The projects funded by these grants are part of Massachusetts’ initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the governor’s office said. Another round of applications will open in January 2024.

“Buildings contribute 35 percent of the state’s emissions. This program demonstrates how we can decarbonize this sector with an equity lens,” state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement.

“These projects will use local workers, bring down costs for renters, and improve air quality. With every investment, we right past wrongs and bring the benefits of the clean energy transition to those who have been denied climate justice,” Tepper said.

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