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

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has issued a Program Opportunity Notice (PON) for the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Decarbonization Grant Program, which provides grant funding for decarbonization retrofits of existing low- or moderate-income residential buildings. The program aims to implement energy efficiency measures and decarbonize heating, cooling, and/or hot water systems. Projects must demonstrate a long-term commitment to providing affordable housing to low- or moderate-income residents. The total program budget is up to $50 million, funded through a combination of sources including the American Rescue Plan Act, DOER's Alternative Compliance Payments, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Climate Protection and Mitigation Trust. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with the first batch evaluated for applications received by June 1, 2023. Eligible projects must be located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with priority given to Gateway Cities and qualified census tracts. Funding amounts range from $240,000 to $50,000 per unit, depending on the building size, and applicants requesting $1 million or more must commit to providing local workforce opportunities.

The program has no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, but it is focused on addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. No information is provided about any incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The program has a total budget of up to $50 million, with funding from multiple sources, but the specific award values or budget ranges for individual projects are not stated.