Boston Home Center Launches HomeWorks Green Loan Program to Support Sustainable Home Improvements

The City of Boston today announced the launch of the HomeWorks Green Loan Program, a new initiative that aims to provide Boston homeowners with financial assistance to undertake energy-efficient and carbon reducing repair projects, improving home comfort, safety, and environmental sustainability while contributing to a healthier, more resilient Boston. This loan program is administered by the Boston Home Center, a division of the Mayor's Office of Housing. Building on Mayor Wu's leadership to make Boston a home for everyone, this program will help residents across neighborhoods improve their homes, reduce energy costs over time and support a more sustainable, healthy Boston.

"This program is an investment in Boston's homeowners and in the future of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "The HomeWorks Green Loan Program will help residents make critical repairs that improve energy efficiency, safety, and comfort, which will help reduce monthly energy costs long-term while supporting our broader efforts to create a more sustainable and resilient Boston."

The HomeWorks Green Loan Program provides qualified homeowners with financial resources to undertake home repair projects, including energy-efficiency upgrades, safety improvements, and the installation of clean energy technologies such as solar panels. Eligible projects may include removing old oil tanks, damp-proofing basements, upgrading electrical systems, and installing heat pump water heaters. The program also supports interior and exterior repairs, such as bathroom and kitchen renovations, masonry work, repairs to heating and cooling systems, and more, provided that at least one-third of the project scope includes eligible green improvements. Health and safety repairs and any code violations must also be addressed as a priority.

"Through the HomeWorks Green Loan Program, we are empowering Boston homeowners to make meaningful improvements that enhance the safety, comfort, and sustainability of their homes," said Sheila A. Dillon, Chief of Housing for the City of Boston. "This program is a vital step in supporting our residents while advancing the City's commitment to building healthier and more resilient neighborhoods."

Boston residents who own and occupy 1-4 unit homes or condos and meet the income guidelines may be eligible to participate in the program. Eligibility requirements include household income limits of up to 135% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which varies depending on household size. For instance, a single-person household may qualify with an income under $154,170, while a four-person household may qualify with an income under $220,320. Applicants must also be current on City accounts, such as property taxes, mortgage payments, and water bills. Additionally, eligible homeowners must have less than $100,000 in non-primary residence assets and must not have received home repair assistance from any City program within the last ten years, except for deleading funds.

"Boston's housing sector is a cornerstone of our climate strategy, and the HomeWorks Green Loan Program exemplifies how we can empower residents to be part of this transformation," said Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Boston Environment Commissioner and Green New Deal Director. "By providing financial resources for energy-efficient and sustainable home improvements, we are meeting individual residents at the moment when they are ready to make repairs, helping them make their projects bigger, better, and more cost effective--and we're also reducing carbon emissions and building a healthier future for all Bostonians."

The program does not cover certain repairs, such as luxury finishes, driveway improvements, or landscaping. Full program details, income eligibility, and a complete list of eligible repairs can be found on the Boston Home Center's website. To apply, homeowners may submit a signed HomeWorks Green Loan Program application along with all required documentation listed on the Application Checklist.

For more information or to apply, visit the Boston Home Center's website or call 617.635.4663.

With the leadership of Mayor Wu, the City of Boston is working to decarbonize the housing sector while making homes more energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable for residents and families. In 2022, Boston adopted the state's Stretch Energy Code which ensures buildings are made to maximize efficiency. Additionally, Boston passed an energy reduction ordinance for large buildings to cut their emissions over time, to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Starting in September 2024, any new City-funded affordable housing must be fossil fuel free, and Boston is also working on rules to make new buildings or major additions meet net zero carbon standards. The City plans to make public housing fossil fuel free by 2030 by redirecting millions of federal dollars to electrification projects at sites like Mildred Hailey and Franklin Field, with a $50 million investment from the City. In 2023, Mayor Wu launched two programs to help make affordable housing greener: one for large buildings to reduce emissions and another to help low- and moderate-income homeowners make their 2-4 unit buildings more energy-efficient.

About the Mayor's Office of Housing

The Mayor's Office of Housing is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can obtain, maintain, and remain in safe, stable housing. The department develops and implements the City of Boston's housing creation and homelessness prevention plans and collaborates with local and national partners to find new solutions and build more housing affordable to all, particularly those with lower incomes. For more information, please visit the MOH website.

• Last updated: January 22, 2025