Council funds Climate Action Grants and proposes new homeowner retrofit grants for low‑to‑moderate income households

The Ames City Council approved continuation of the Climate Action Grants program with a recommended allocation of $150,000 for fiscal year 2026–27. Staff summarized the 2025 pilot year — nine community climate grants (up to $10,000) and six youth mini grants (up to $500) — and recommended continuing both tracks while adding a new residential retrofit grant to support owner‑occupied household improvements.

Staff proposed a homeowner program limited to owner‑occupied households at or below 120% of area median income (AMI) with grants covering 30% of project cost up to $4,000 for high‑impact measures such as rooftop solar and whole‑home heat pump systems. “We kept the definition fairly broad… we wanted to leave it open to organizations and residents to bring projects that align with the goals of the climate action plan,” staff said of the community grants; for the homeowner retrofit grant staff said limiting eligibility to owner‑occupied and low‑to‑moderate income households avoids rent‑shifting and better targets benefits to residents.

Council asked about outreach, funding source and program modeling; staff said funds would come from the council priorities sustainability reserve (balance cited around $990,000) and highlighted examples of successful projects from year one (community composting, rooftop solar at Actors Community Theater). Council approved the allocation and the new grant program approach by motion and roll call.

What’s next: staff will finalize program details, outreach and eligibility verification procedures; staff estimated the homeowner grant could fund roughly 20 projects at the proposed $4,000 cap if the full allocation is dedicated.