Montgomery County, MD

11/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2024 12:50

Montgomery County to Award a $1.8 Million Grant for Low to Moderate Income Housing Electrification Project

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 14, 2024

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received a $1 million direct Federal investment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Housing Electrification program. The electrification project will replace fossil fuel-fired appliances and HVAC systems and upgrade existing equipment to efficient electric alternatives.

Paired with this Federal funding, which was requested and secured by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding legislation, an eligible nonprofit housing provider will receive a total of $1.8 million for the project with $800,000 provided by DEP.

"Receiving this grant is a crucial step to take action on climate in our low to moderate income communities," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "The Low to Moderate Income Housing Electrification Project aligns with our County's Climate Action Plan by addressing the top climate and health hazards our residents face. I want to thank Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin for securing the funding for Montgomery County to do this project, as well as DOE and the Biden Administration for their support on the implementation of this initiative."

Eligible nonprofit housing providers can submit a form to be entered into the first stage (eligibility screening submission) for the LMI Housing Electrification Project grant. First stage applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 to be considered for the grant. Second stage (full applications) are due at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.

"Working families cannot be left out of the energy transition," said Senator Cardin. "Montgomery County's Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Housing Electrification program will be an innovative, cost-effective way to reduce our carbon emissions while supporting Montgomery County's low-and moderate-income families. The Biden-Harris Administration has again prioritized equitable climate investments, so that all communities can benefit from cleaner and healthier technologies."

DEP and the Office of Grants Management (OGM) will hold a virtual information session at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, to give eligible interested applicants the chance to ask questions about this funding opportunity and receive guidance on how to complete the application.

"Lowering costs for Maryland families most in need must go hand in hand with increasing access to affordable, updated homes," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee. "That's why we worked to deliver $1 million in federal funding to support Montgomery County's efforts to make homes, safer and more energy efficient. This project is a win-win - it will lower residents' energy costs while boosting the use of cleaner, more efficient appliances."

The LMI Housing Electrification Project Grant will provide cost-effective, energy-efficient and comfortable electronic appliances and systems that will reduce energy burdens, improve indoor air quality for residents and improved energy performance for building owners.

"Fossil fuel-fired appliances and HVAC systems can pose serious health risks to Americans," said Congressman Raskin. "I was proud to secure $1 million for the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to help low- and moderate-income homeowners replace outdated and harmful appliances and systems with safer, more energy-efficient electric alternatives. I'm grateful to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, County Executive Elrich and other partners for their teamwork on this effort, which underscores how our strong federal-local partnership in MoCo improves our community's quality of life."

Competitive selection will occur to find a grant subrecipient who can deliver one of two outcomes:

  • A community of affordable single-family units will have at least 30 units converted to all-electric appliances.
  • One or more multi-family buildings, consisting of at least 15 total units, converted to all-electric appliances and systems.

"Buildings generate more than half of the total countywide greenhouse gas emissions," said DEP Director Jon Monger. "To reach a zero percent greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 2035, electrification of residential buildings is a must. The Low to Moderate Income Housing Electrification Project is yet another way the County continues to help ensure resident's homes are safe, healthy, efficient and electrified, while also identifying and sharing best practices for fuel-switching."

The LMI Housing Electrification Project aims to demonstrate that electrified technologies are market-ready, require less maintenance and create safer and healthier homes. The program will highlight the need for a qualified workforce to advance electrification projects in a rapidly expanding market. The goal is to maximize the number of units covered under the grant. The subrecipient of the grant will provide direct insights into the level of effort and costs required to electrify other fossil fueled affordable housing communities in the County.

To learn more about the program eligibility, application questions and scoring criteria review the Notice of Funding Opportunity pdf.

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Release ID: 24-519
Media Contact: Cindy Peña 202-875-1563
Categories: Environment