Takoma Park opens Green Homes and Businesses grant: $200,000 available; applications Feb. 23–April 26

Takoma Park’s sustainability office on a webinar introduced its Green Homes and Businesses Grant, saying the program’s current cycle includes about $200,000 in funding and that applications will open February 23 and close April 26. City staff said award announcements are expected around June 1.

"This cycle has about $200,000 in funding," said Chrissy Humbard, the city’s economic development specialist, during the presentation. Officials described the grant as a competitive, non‑repayable program to support electrification and energy‑efficiency improvements for homes and storefronts in Takoma Park.

Why it matters: The grant is meant to reduce energy bills, improve indoor comfort and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions by helping residents and businesses install electric appliances, insulation, rooftop solar, battery systems, EV charging equipment and other measures. City staff emphasized applicants should seek stacked incentives where possible — for example, Montgomery County’s Electrify MC program and cooperative purchasing efforts.

Who can apply and how much: Small businesses and community organizations (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4), including faith‑based entities) with a Takoma Park storefront or office are eligible for projects up to $30,000; projects over $30,000 will require evidence of gap financing, the city said. Residents, including tenants, condo owners and single‑family homeowners, qualify for a tiered award based on Montgomery County area‑median‑income (AMI): Tier 1 applicants are eligible for 100% awards up to $15,000; Tier 2 for 60% awards up to $10,000; applicants above AMI are eligible for 20% awards up to $5,000. Presenters said applicants who do not share income information will be considered in the above‑AMI category.

Eligible projects and requirements: The city will accept requests for energy audits (recommended and potentially fundable), electrification of heating and other fossil‑fuel equipment, appliance replacement, rooftop solar, batteries, EV charging infrastructure and, for Tier 1 residents, items such as e‑bikes and weatherization measures. Doria Estrada, the city sustainability manager, said all awardees will be asked to subscribe to 100% clean energy for at least 24 months; "that's because we really wanna stay consistent... with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the city," she said. The city noted community solar subscriptions are the most common way to meet that requirement.

Application process and documentation: Staff said the city will use a platform referred to in the webinar as "Foundown" for applications; applicants must create an account and submit at least one contractor quote and basic property information. The portal opens February 23 at 9 a.m. and closes April 26 at 6 p.m., according to the presentation. Applications will undergo a blind review with multiple reviewers scoring proposals on equity criteria (including location within an equity emphasis area), new applicant status, project justification, cost‑effectiveness (based on submitted quotes), emissions‑reduction potential, environmental health benefit and readiness to proceed.

Common questions answered: Presenters said changing contractors between application and award is permissible if the new contractor’s pricing is similar; projects already more than 50% complete at the time of award are not eligible (photo and invoice proof required for projects partially underway). The city can pay contractors directly (allowing a 30% deposit at project start) or use a reimbursement model — applicants will state a preference if awarded.

Events and support: Staff encouraged prospective applicants to attend local outreach events to find contractors and learn more. They promoted a Healthy Homes Fair at Catholic University (March 21, 1–5 p.m.) and announced a Go Solar TKPK information session scheduled for May 7. Presenters also posted partner links (for example, Neighborhood Sun and Switch Together) and said they would post the webinar recording and slides to the city website by the end of the week.

What staff asked applicants to provide: At a minimum, a credible contractor quote, basic property information to determine eligibility, and, for tenants, a landlord approval letter for major unit upgrades. Tier 1 applicants requesting e‑bikes must provide proof of completion of a safety course or prior attendance. All awardees must submit a closeout report and photos if funded.

Representative quotes from the webinar: Leslie Romanoff, director of the Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School, described past upgrades supported by city funds: "We replaced all the windows and we replaced the energy system... the beauty of this system is it can be programmed down to almost a minute..." Doria Estrada explained the program’s climate aim: "We have a really aggressive, climate action goal to achieve net 0 by 2035, and this is one of our ways that we stay in alignment with that."

Next steps: Read the updated grant guidelines on the City of Takoma Park’s Green Homes and Businesses web page, gather at least one contractor quote, and be prepared to apply when the portal opens on February 23 at 9 a.m. City staff said they will promote the opening widely and be available for questions via the contacts posted in the guidelines.