DOER PON-ENE-2023-017 Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Decarbonization Grant Program Amendment

This state and local contract opportunity is a Program Opportunity Notice (PON) issued by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Decarbonization Grant Program. The program provides grant funding for decarbonization retrofits of existing low- or moderate-income residential buildings in Suffolk County and Boston City. Eligible projects must implement energy efficiency measures and decarbonize heating, cooling, and/or hot water systems, while demonstrating a long-term commitment to providing affordable housing to low- or moderate-income residents. The total available funding is up to $50 million, with grant awards expected to be between $240,000 and $40,000-$50,000 per unit, depending on the building size. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with the first evaluation of proposals received by June 1, 2023, and subsequent evaluations occurring every six months through June 1, 2027.

This opportunity is specifically targeted at mixed-income development projects that seek to decarbonize and improve the energy efficiency of existing low- or moderate-income housing. Eligible applicants must have a portion of their units dedicated to affordable housing for low- or moderate-income residents, with a higher percentage of affordable units scoring more favorably in the evaluation criteria. The PON emphasizes the importance of a thorough and well-defined scope of work in the application, and notes that technical assistance may not be available before or after an award. The program allows for flexibility in the timing of grant fund awards, with funds being provided in a milestone-based reimbursement format rather than all upfront.