SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services is commemorating National Energy Awareness Month by highlighting the impactful work of the Oregon Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP) to make affordable housing more energy efficient in an effort to reduce utility costs for low-income households.
Since it launched in 2018, the program has awarded $12.6 million in funding to 100 affordable housing developments to facilitate energy-efficient construction and reduce the energy burden for residents across multifamily affordable housing. Currently, 6,800 units have utilized the funds for energy upgrades and the need for this type of funding is great, with over 6,000 units on the waitlist.
“Investing in the Oregon Multifamily Energy Program is not only a commitment to environmental progress but to helping Oregonians have access to a utility that is vital to health protection and improvement,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “In the dance between progress and compassion, energy efficiency takes center stage, illuminating a path where sustainability meets accessibility.”
The program aims to lower energy consumption, reduce utility costs, and contribute to the overall environmental well-being of communities throughout the state by offering the following to qualifying new and existing affordable multifamily properties:
- Cash incentives
- Design assistance
- Coordination with other programs
- Training and education
The energy-efficient strategies reduce energy use by nearly $400,000 per year. The life cycle of the investments averages 25 years and will continue to pay energy savings benefits for low-income Oregonians for years to come.
OR-MEP accepts applications for incentives once every six months and will reopen to applicants in December 2023. For more information, visit the OR-MEP website at https://oregonmultifamilyenergy.com.
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