Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability Program (MEEHA)
Notice: As of January 18, 2010, MEEHA funding for Energy Audits is fully subscribed,
and no additional applications for Energy Audits will be accepted. For those properties
that have already completed energy audits, MEEHA remains open to applications for
the funding of energy efficiency improvements, as described below.
Purpose of Program:
The purpose of the Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability Program
(MEEHA) is to promote energy efficiency and affordability in the State’s multifamily
rental housing developments for low and moderate income households. Under a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), DHCD will
provide MEEHA grants for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency improvements,
and/or renewable energy improvements in affordable multifamily rental housing developments.
MEEHA grants may also be provided for energy audits/studies to determine the appropriate
energy efficiencies for a building. The program is being undertaken as part of the
State’s efforts to 1) promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources and
2) create and preserve affordable rental housing opportunities.
MEEHA funds may be used for the purchase and installation of equipment and materials
for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. Such items include, but are
not limited to Energy Star qualified: HVAC systems, insulation, windows, draft stopping
and duct sealing, appliances and fixtures, and renewable energy generation and water
heating equipment.
Priority in awarding grants will be given to multifamily rental housing developments
that have received or are in the pipeline to receive financing through DHCD’s rental
housing financing programs. For these projects, MEEHA funds may be used to pay for
energy efficiency items included in the DHCD Development Quality Standards of the
Multifamily Rental Financing
Program Guide. MEEHA will also provide grants
for a limited number of demonstration projects that provide deep energy savings
of approximately 40 to 70 percent above current codes in Maryland.
MEEHA funding of $9.5 million comes through MEA from both the federal American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – State Energy Program (ARRA-SEP), and the State’s
Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF). This program complements DHCD’s Green Grant
Rental Housing Preservation Program – MD-BRAC, which provides funding for energy
audits of affordable multifamily rental housing developments in certain communities
affected by the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, as well as
funding for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) training and accreditation.
To learn more click Rental Housing Preservation Program
.
Eligible Types of Housing:
Restricted to affordable multifamily rental properties. “Affordable” means rental
housing with existing income or rent restrictions, or housing with units that serve
tenants with low to moderate incomes, as determined by DHCD. Multifamily rental
housing may include apartment buildings, townhouses, single-family homes, single
room occupancy (SRO) and shared housing facilities with five (5) or more units.
Terms:
- An energy audit, modeling, and/or studies may be required to determine the appropriate
energy efficiencies for each building. If the applicant is requesting funding for
these activities, the contractor must be certified by the Residential Energy Services
Network (RESNET), and/or the Building Performance Institute (BPI), and must also
demonstrate a minimum of two (2) years experience completing energy audits/studies
on multifamily residential buildings. The contractor may also qualify by documenting
sufficient energy audit experience in multifamily or commercial buildings. List of Approved Auditors
- Upon award, the grantee will provide quarterly reports on the project status until
DHCD determines that the project has been completed, at which time a final report
shall be submitted. Information that DHCD may require includes, but is not limited
to, estimated energy savings, and the number of jobs retained or created
- DHCD will disburse Grant funds to Grantee as the Project progresses based upon requests
for disbursement submitted by Grantee.
- MEEHA funds shall be spent according to any Federal or State rules governing the
expenditure of ARRA-SEP and/or SEIF funds, and must be fully expended no later than
April 2012. Grantees will be expected to comply with all related Federal and State
requirements, including satisfying National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews
for all new construction projects.
For more detailed information, the terms for the program are outlined in the MEEHA Grant Agreement. Please contact DHCD with any questions
about program terms.
Maximum Grant Amount:
MEEHA provides grant funding of up to $500,000 per project, with a maximum of $2,500
per unit for developments undertaking energy efficiency improvements. Developments
that are seeking to install renewable energy technologies may request a waiver of
the $500,000 cap, which will be evaluated and approved on a project-by-project basis.
Funding for energy audits/studies is capped at $10,000 per building, with any costs
incurred counting against the total project cap.
How to Apply:
MEEHA applicants who are not seeking other DHCD financing should complete the MEEHA Application ,
along with the supporting documentation and submit it to DHCD as outlined on the
application. PDF files are preferred.
For projects seeking MEEHA grants in addition to other DHCD rental housing financing,
the MEEHA application and review process will be integrated with DHCD’s underwriting
and due diligence for loan closing for its existing rental housing financing. A
separate MEEHA application is not required. Applications will be accepted on an
on-going basis and evaluated based on readiness to proceed and how the project furthers
both the energy efficiency and the housing affordability purposes of the program.
Priority will be given to projects in DHCD’s pipeline for rental housing financing,
DHCD’s portfolio, or other assisted housing developments. DHCD has a total of $9.5
million available for this program, which must be fully expended by April 2012.
News Release
Maryland's Affordable Rental Housing to Become More Energy Efficient
For More Information:
MEEHA
Multifamily Housing Programs
Community Development Administration
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032
Toll Free (Maryland Only): 800-543-4505
Stu Wechsler, CDA
Tel: (410) 514-7457 Fax: (410) 987-4097
E-mail: wechsler@mdhousing.org
Lee Peschau, Construction Manager, CDA
Tel: (410) 514-7477 Fax: (410) 987-4097
E-mail: Peschau@mdhousing.org