Multifamily Weatherization
Landlords are eligible for energy efficiency grants covering up to 90% of costs.1 These improvements reduce maintenance requirements, cover capital improvement costs, lower tenant turnover, and shrink utility expenses. Typical improvements include:
- Boilers, furnaces, water heaters, heat pumps and air conditioners
- Insulation of all types (roof, attic, wall, floor, ducts and pipes)
- Sealing Drafts (a.k.a. air sealing)
- LED Lighting
- Windows and Doors
- Refrigerators
- Exhaust fans, make-up air units (MAUs), energy recovery ventilation
- Building Controls
- Additional weatherization measures as determined by energy conservation benefit
Landlords select and hire contractors of their choosing. The Office of Housing reimburses landlords after the work is complete. At no cost, Office of Housing staff provide project management help including:
- Assist with tenant applications to qualify property for the program
- Conduct an energy audit of the property and provide a written report of findings
- Develop a scope of work and detail technical specifications
- Provide contractor referrals and review contractor bids
- Inspect the contractor's work
- Provide tenant facing guides on how to use new thermostats or other controls and translate those to other languages as needed
To be eligible, building owners must commit to keeping rents affordable for at least three years and at least half of tenants must meet income qualifications.2 Properties must be within the City Light service area. Contractors hired to perform the work must follow WA State prevailing wage requirements. We are excited to hear from you if you think your building might be a good fit for weatherization funding. Please contact the Office of Housing's HomeWise Multifamily Weatherization Program (information at right).
Actual grant amount is determined by energy modeling, cost-effective formulas and grant availability. Very cost-effective measures such as insulation and air sealing tend to be covered close to the 90% rate while less cost-effective improvements such as windows and doors likely have a much lower reimbursement rate.