New Housing Initiatives to Promote Solar energy and Affordable Housing
- Author: Ben Reilly
- Posted: 2024-09-30
Acting head of HUD Adrianne Todman shared that HUD is committed to making living spaces cheaper and better for Americans who don't make a lot of money. Their plans include making it cheaper and easier to use energy-saving and clean energy options, like solar panels, which can help families save money on their electric bills and make their homes more environmentally friendly.
Todman is excited to tell us that they're not only giving more money to help families in New York but also being proactive in helping families get access to solar energy. She pointed out that solar power is a great way to cut down on pollution and reduce living costs for homeowners and tenants.
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The current government is eager to make sure that families with lower incomes get to enjoy these benefits.
Converting Power Savings to Real Gains
In the past, even if housing authorities saved money by using solar panels, they couldn't use all those savings to help their communities.
Now, HUD has changed the rules so that if housing authorities combine solar panel agreements with certain energy-saving contracts, they can keep all the money they save. This change makes it more attractive for them to invest in solar energy.
Getting Rid of Old Roadblocks
HUD, along with other housing agencies, has formed a new team to work with housing developers and solar companies to make the best plan for installing solar panels on apartment buildings.
This team is looking at ways to make this process cheaper and simpler, helping apartment buildings save on costs, be better for the environment, and remain good homes for a long time.
Keeping Everyone in the Loop
Since the beginning of their term, the Biden-Harris Administration has been updating guidelines on how solar energy benefits should work for housing supported by HUD.
New guidelines were shared in 2022 and 2023 to make sure the benefits of solar projects reach the tenants.
More Solar Power for Rental Homes
Through a special program, HUD has given out over $770 million to make over 20,000 homes more eco-friendly and safer. This program is the first of its kind to focus on making homes more power-efficient, cutting down on greenhouse gas, producing clean power (like with solar panels), creating healthier living spaces, and making homes more able to withstand climate change.
These big investments help build affordable and climate-friendly homes and communities, following the goals of the Government's Climate Resilience Framework.
In conclusion, the government is dedicated to tackling the challenges of climate change and making sure every American has a home that's healthy, lasts long, and doesn't cost too much. And HUD is playing a key role in this effort.
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