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Green Homes pilot launches construction and seeks additional funding; partner staffing issues delay some activity
Summary
The Evanston Green Homes pilot, seeded with $1,000,000 in ARPA funds and administered by the Center for Neighborhood Technology with Elevate as subcontractor, has started construction on its first retrofit and has 15 properties (32 units) in its pipeline, staff told the committee March 18.
Kara Pratt, the city’s sustainability and resilience manager, updated the committee on the Evanston Green Homes pilot on March 18, reporting early construction activity, pipeline progress and funding efforts to scale the program.
Pratt said American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding seeded the pilot with $1,000,000 to create a "one‑stop shop" residential retrofit model focused on equitable building decarbonization and healthy‑home improvements. The program is administered by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) with Elevate as a subcontractor. The pilot’s goal is to complete upgrades in 50 units and secure an additional $1,000,000 in outside funding.
Pratt provided a pipeline update: 15 properties (32 units) are in the project pipeline; assessment reports (building audits) have been completed at 9 properties (17 units); requests for proposals are under review for four properties (11 units); two properties (2 units) are in project planning; construction contracts are signed and pending start for two properties (3 units); and construction has begun at one single‑family unit. Pratt said a press event was planned to celebrate the first construction start.
On funding, Pratt said $300,000 has been secured from the Northwestern University Good Neighbor Fund for heat pumps and induction stoves and a $350,000 application is pending to the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities program. Pratt also reported that the Evanston Development Cooperative — originally a partner that received about $333,000 in support — has ceased operations and has not returned the awarded funds to the program, complicating the program’s financial picture.
Eligibility for the pilot targets households at or below 80% of area median income and focuses on two census tracts (8092 and 8102) with naturally occurring affordable housing. Pratt said the program partners will return to the committee with photographic progress and a more detailed presentation in May or June.
No formal committee action was required on the update; members encouraged additional outreach to enroll eligible households and suggested targeted door‑knocking or local outreach in the limited eligible areas.
