A Low Rent Idea for Being Green

In the past two years, the NH Housing Finance Authority has made a simple offer to owners of rent-restricted multi-family housing in NH: We'll pay for an energy audit and energy-efficient retrofits if you keep half your building as affordable housing. In that time, the Greener Homes Programs has spent $8 million funding retrofits of more than 800 units (25 buildings), and plans to fund about 200 more. 

Common projects include new insulation and heating system upgrades and replacements. Property owners must have an energy audit conducted to insure there is a potential to save 15 percent. To date, most projects have cut energy bills by 35 to 40 percent. At least half of all tenants in a building must meet low-income guidelines to qualify at the time of the application and for 20 years more.  

Not only is it good for the properties and makes them more sustainable, but it's frankly good for the community as a whole, says Dean Christon, executive director of the Housing Finance Authority. He points out more efficient buildings have lower operating costs, and that's good for both renters and property owners.

Funding for the program includes $2 million from the NH Public Utilities Commission's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Fund matched by the Housing Authority and $3 million in weatherization funds from the NH Office of Energy and Planning. The McKee Inn in Lancaster, Opera Block Apartments in Woodsville and Wamesit Apartments in Portsmouth have participated in the program.

Christon says there are at least 2,000 more units in NH that could benefit from the program if the agency can get more funding-an outcome he says is uncertain given the tightening of federal funds. All new projects funded by the organization must meet high energy-efficiency standards going forward.

For more information, visit www.nhhfa.org.