Owners of small buildings can get up to $50,000 per unit to fund decarbonization retrofits.
A new forgivable loan program from the city of Boston will help small housing owners switch their buildings to electric power, reports Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
“There are several stipulations for the owners, who will be selected through an October lottery and can get up to $50,000 per unit: They must live in the building, have a household income below a certain threshold and charge below a certain amount for rent, plus the building must have been built before 1999.”
The program is part of a larger effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and introduce renewable energy alternatives. “The city says the work will give residents better indoor air quality and comfort, along with lower utility bills. But the city also wants to avoid the upgraded housing resulting in the displacement of current tenants, and building owners given grants are not allowed to displace tenants in good standing or unreasonably raise rent as a result of the retrofits.”
FULL STORY: Boston launches pilot to help small housing owners go electric
How to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
Eliminating fossil fuels means shifting how electricity is produced and distributed from the source.
Boston Eliminates Fossil Fuels in New City-Owned Buildings
Mayor Michelle Wu said the new rule will help boost demand for green materials and create new jobs in the green building sector.
Cincinnati To Electrify Municipal Fleet by 2035
The city of Cincinnati will beef up its efforts to shift to renewable energy starting next week with electric police cars, fire trucks, and other city vehicles.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.
Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont