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CDA hears federal-funded energy-efficiency proposal for Beloit Road Senior Apartments; gives staff consensus to proceed
Summary
Representatives from Green Home Owners United proposed using Inflation Reduction Act rebates administered through Focus on Energy to make insulation, air-sealing and HVAC upgrades at Beloit Road Senior Apartments at no cost to the CDA; the board gave consensus for staff to pursue the project pending investor and lender approvals.
Representatives from Green Home Owners United told the CDA they can access federal Inflation Reduction Act rebates and Focus on Energy programs to fund energy-efficiency work at Beloit Road Senior Apartments, targeting insulation, air sealing and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
Brandon (Green Home Owners United) said the project is eligible for full rebate amounts because the building has Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) status and that the rebates and program rules make it possible to complete many upgrades at no cost to the property owner or the CDA. Brandon told the board: "I did not mean low to no cost. I meant no cost." April (Green Home Owners United) and other representatives explained their typical process: an on-site energy assessment, submission to Focus on Energy for approval and then implementation by their crews (with subcontracting only for specialty trades such as HVAC when needed).
Board members asked whether the rebates are paid upfront and who would front costs. Green Home representatives explained that the rebate functions as an instant discount to the contractor and that Focus on Energy provides payment to the contractor after approval; the CDA/property would not be expected to front the full project costs. Patrick added that because the apartment building is owned by an entity tied to a tax-credit investor, the CDA would need Boston Capital or the investor's approval before work proceeds.
On timing, Green Home estimated the assessment and submission steps together could take on the order of weeks to months depending on Focus on Energy processing; for similar multifamily submissions Green Home said getting to the job submission stage could take roughly two months but expected processing to speed up as the program scales. The board did not take a formal vote; the chair directed staff to proceed with outreach to the investor and to prepare a memorandum of agreement if lender approvals are secured.
