Energy Efficiency as Affordability

Manages and administers incentive programs such as NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program, the SOMAH program, MCE Multifamily Program, and SMUD Multifamily Program to provide financial incentives for energy efficiency, electrification, solar PV installations, and health improvements in multifamily affordable housing.

Performs Integrated Physical Needs Assessments (IPNAs), capital needs assessments, and energy audits to identify energy, health, and capital improvement opportunities in multifamily and public housing. Provides technical services and project oversight to support building performance and affordability preservation in New York City and state.

Performs energy audits and installs weatherization measures in low-income homes and buildings in New York, using both in-house crews and contracted contractors, with quality control and oversight. Completed 1,670 audits between 2007 and 2020 and served 322 units in 2023.

Provides no-cost energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization upgrades—including heat pump water heaters, HVAC systems, induction cooktops, and electrical panel upgrades—to income-qualified households in New York and Northern California. Serves both single-family and multifamily buildings, with a focus on health, safety, and affordability.

Provides training, mentoring, and consulting to weatherization subgrantees, building operators, and maintenance staff through programs like FlexTech, Green Workforce Pathways, and Building Operations and Maintenance Training, under contract with NYSERDA and the State of New York.

Operates programs such as the Comprehensive Affordable Multifamily Retrofits (CAMR), WaterSaver, and SV Clean Energy to deliver energy efficiency, water conservation, and health improvements in multifamily affordable housing across New York and California.

Runs the Bronx and Brooklyn Energy Hub and participates in the New York Healthy Homes Collaborative and the Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) to advance energy affordability, healthy homes, and low-emission building practices in urban communities.

Offers cost-sharing and technical assistance through the Flexible Technical Assistance Program (FlexTech) to support planning studies for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonization measures in eligible properties.

Offers technical support and performance incentives to developers of multifamily new construction projects that meet high energy efficiency standards, including support for Enterprise Green Communities certifications and compliance with ASHRAE 90.1.

Manages and implements decarbonization initiatives including the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program in Northern California and the NYS Clean Heat program, coordinating enrollment, assessments, and installations of cold-climate heat pumps and other electrification measures.

Requires applicants to submit recent paystubs, tax returns and ledger sheets (for self-employed individuals), and two years of gas and electric usage history from utility providers to verify eligibility for weatherization services.

Conducts indoor air quality evaluations as part of weatherization services, including mold and moisture assessments, carbon monoxide testing, and installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to mitigate energy-related health and safety hazards in homes.

Provides comprehensive weatherization services at no cost to eligible low-income residents, including sealing leaks and cracks, adding insulation to attics, walls, and water pipes, installing energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration, performing minor energy-related repairs, and addressing heating systems through furnace repair or replacement. Services are delivered directly to tenants or provided to property owners with partial or full cost coverage based on tenant eligibility and building type.

Hosts a monthly food-buying co-op called Food$en$e (also referred to as Food Sense) at Neighborhood Centers, enabling community members to purchase a box of 12–15 staple grocery items for $20.50 per month.

Operates a comprehensive early childhood education program for children ages 3 to 5, including those with special needs, through 8 centers with 13 classrooms. Provides school readiness services, transportation via agency-owned buses, health screenings (vision, hearing, speech, growth), parenting education, and family support. Served 237 children in the most recent year, with over 95% receiving health and developmental screenings.

Administers rental assistance vouchers to promote safe and affordable housing for income-eligible families, including supporting first-time homebuyers by allowing voucher use toward mortgage payments. Provided homebuyer education classes in partnership with Neighbors of Watertown and offered long-term payment assistance. Administered 585 housing vouchers and supported participants through personalized case management via the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

Operates six Neighborhood Centers across St. Lawrence County that provide food pantries, emergency shelter, utility and fuel assistance, family development services, and referrals to low-income families. These centers assisted 1,413 individuals and families with food, provided utility bill assistance to 90 households, and distributed 524,598 pounds of food through 10,442 food boxes and 680 mobile deliveries.

Operates thrift stores at the Canton, Massena, and Gouverneur Neighborhood Centers, offering donated clothing and household items to the community.