Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH)
SOMAH has experienced substantial growth and transformation over the past year. The Partnership’s Sustainability team welcomed Jacqueline Rogge as our new Sustainable Housing Program Associate to contribute to SOMAH outreach efforts. Most notably, the Partnership successfully advocated for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 355, aiming to broaden SOMAH's eligibility criteria and ensure a more extensive range of affordable housing qualifies. Anticipated changes in the SOMAH Program for 2024 encompass expanded eligibility for new construction, higher-income properties (80% AMI), as well as properties under the ownership of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and tribal entities. You can read more about the changes here. Furthermore, a significant event on the horizon is a ribbon-cutting ceremony for St. Mary’s Gardens in Oakland, scheduled for January 19th. Recently highlighted in The Guardian, this 100-unit SOMAH solar project is set to provide residents with up to $40 per month in energy savings.
Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
The LIWP program continues to be a popular program with housing providers statewide. According to the Partnership’s 2023 LIWP Impact Report, LIWP participating properties have averaged 44% in energy savings. LIWP offers free technical assistance in addition to its energy efficiency and solar PV incentives. Other exciting news from 2023 is a $50 million budget allocation by the state legislature to continue the program. We are excited to develop new LIWP project case studies and IRA resources in the coming months and publish the 2024 LIWP Impact Report.
Building Initiative for Low-emissions Design (BUILD)
The BUILD program saw robust incentive subscriptions in 2023, and financial incentives are anticipated to be fully subscribed by the end of 2024. Developers considering this program are encouraged to submit a technical assistance application as early as possible. BUILD will continue to support the transition to all-electric new construction. 300 hours of robust, no-cost technical assistance is still available for developers. The Partnership is also developing resources to help developers understand and implement electrification best practices.
Comprehensive Affordable Multifamily Retrofit (CAMR)
The CAMR program, available only in the LADWP service territory, was launched fully in 2023 and it now boasts a robust pipeline of retrofit projects. CAMR provides flexibility for tailored energy efficiency scopes of work while highly incentivizing electrification technologies. In 2024, we will focus on reaching new participants, offering IRA resources to participants in the pipeline, and looking forward to the first CAMR Impact Report and the first completed projects.
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