Awards Through New York’s Weatherization Stimulus Program Will Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income Homeowners and Renters; Advance Governor’s Target of Two Million Electrified or Electrification-Ready Homes by 2030
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $34 million in federal funding awards for over 1,000 homes to become more energy-efficient and climate-friendly. Awarded through the state’s Weatherization Stimulus Program, the funding will support electrification and electrification-ready upgrades that will lower energy costs and improve health outcomes for income-eligible renters and homeowners.
“New York’s nation-leading clean energy goals require that we reduce harmful building emissions across all communities,” Governor Hochul said. “Our comprehensive decarbonization strategy includes resources to ensure low- and moderate-income New Yorkers are not left behind in the transition. This $34 million will bring us closer to our goal of reaching two million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and achieving a better and greener future for the next generation of New Yorkers.”
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocated additional funding to states to support heat and energy conservation programs for low-income households, including the federally-funded Weatherization Assistance Program. Administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Weatherization Assistance Program helps reduce energy costs for income-eligible homeowners and renters by providing free services that help conserve energy and improve safety and health standards.
The $34 million made available for the Weatherization Stimulus Program is intended to reach households that otherwise would not be eligible for deep decarbonization assistance. Using the existing network of Weatherization Assistance Program sub-grantees, 31 awards were granted to nonprofit community development organizations and local municipalities to support project scoping and complete work to improve energy efficiency and decrease carbon emissions in income-eligible single and multi-family homes throughout New York State.
Additionally, a portion of the funds will be used to train and enhance existing sub-grantees capacity to deliver these services in the future, supporting the Governor’s goals of investing in and developing New York State’s workforce for climate-friendly activities.
