Massachusetts awards $26M to five affordable-housing retrofits; administration pledges $40M more

BOSTON — State energy and housing officials on Tuesday announced $26 million in grants through the Affordable Housing Decarbonization Grant Program to fund five deep-energy retrofit projects that officials said will retrofit more than 625 housing units across Massachusetts.

Commissioner Mahaney of the Department of Energy Resources opened the event and said the awards “will retrofit more than 625 housing units” and boost local jobs while improving residents’ comfort and monthly bills. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said the administration would add $40 million to the program, and Secretary Rebecca Tepper later described the program as a $90 million effort when combined with prior funding.

Why it matters: Officials said the awards pair energy efficiency and electrification measures with targeted funding for low- and moderate-income residents, a combination they described as critical to meeting the state’s climate goals while preserving affordable housing. Speakers emphasized both resident benefits — lower bills and improved indoor air quality — and the need to expand the local workforce that will carry out retrofits.

Details of the awards: DOER identified five projects and provided project-level energy-savings estimates.

- Allston-Brighton CDC (Brian J. Honan Apartments): DOER said the project will fully electrify heating and hot water, perform…