Agenda Item Name:
Title
Presentation of an Energy Efficiency and Affordable Housing Program
End
Presenter:
Heather Langford 574-2701 and Claudia Tuck 231-0058
Description:
Presentation on the development of a program that provides a means of upgrading affordable housing rental units to become more energy efficient while at the same time retaining their affordability. The goal of this program is to directly benefit community members by lowering their monthly utility bill and thus increasing the number of energy and water efficient homes in the County.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Hear proposed program presentation and give staff direction.
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Prior Board Motions:
On 2/9/21 Commissioner Alford moved that the Commission direct the County Manager and County Attorney to investigate the viability of first, quantifying the carbon footprint of Alachua County government (at the macro level) and second, offsetting that carbon footprint by utilizing housing funding to provide energy efficient upgrades to residents in need. These upgrades may be to homeowners or renters, but for renters, the building owner must agree to maintaining the building as affordable housing and continuing the lease for the current resident assuming other issues are resolved. Additionally, that county staff look for and investigate other counties or municipalities that may have a similar program. If county staff have additional suggestions after benchmarking against other counties or municipalities they will provide that information in regular updates in order to bring this program to fruition in a timely manner.
2nd Commissioner Wheeler. The motion carried 4-0.
On 3/9/21 with respect to Commissioner Alford’s Presentation: Offsetting Alachua County’s Carbon Footprint While Providing Housing Stability Through Energy Efficient Upgrades 21-0216, Commissioner Alford motioned to ask staff to bring back potential options to implement the proposed program which includes providing energy efficient upgrades to sub-standard housing and working with landlords and working to maintain housing as affordable and finally to offset the County’s carbon footprint with these energy efficient upgrades. Motion passed 5-0
On 6/22/21 with respect to the American Rescue Plan, Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the Preliminary Plan presented with a modification to increase local food line item to $4 million and decrease the Undesignated line item from $9 million to $6 million, adopt the resolution for unanticipated revenue and accompanying budget amendment, and authorize the County Manager to: (i) approve and sign any recipient grant agreements and related documents necessary for the County to receive American Rescue Plan funding from the Federal Government; (ii) develop for subsequent BOCC approval guidelines and criteria for implementation of each Plan element, plus, explore items discussed during commission comment to possibly be added to the Plan including, mental health, non-profit capacity building, structural translation funding, re-entry services, and senior housing as well as request an update on the central receiving unit and a presentation by UF Health and (iii) negotiate for subsequent BOCC approval interlocal agreements and other contracts to implement the Plan. Motion passed 5-0
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Funding from the American Rescue Plan “Address Negative Economic Impacts” $3 million might be used pending further direction from the board and is contingent upon an approved American Rescue Plan.
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Background:
In the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element Policy 2.2.6 consider a pilot matching grant program for landlords to improve energy and water efficiency for rental units that are affordable for very low and extremely low-income households. Additionally, in the BoCC Strategic Guide - Address the Housing Gap focus on extremely low and low income housing. Residents often struggle to maintain affordable housing coupled with the challenges of paying rent and high utility bills. Many residents of affordable housing rental units pay inordinately high utility bills. On a per-square-foot basis, existing rental homes consume 15% more energy and have 30% higher energy costs than other homes, with older properties often having the highest energy use and costs (La Jeunesse 2016; EIA 2018) Low-income residents face a higher energy burden, paying an average 22% of their income to energy bills vs. 5% for the whole population. It can be much more for many households. Knowles, Hal S. III and Lynn Jarret. 2015. Understanding Racial Inequity in Alachua County: Housing, Transportation, and Neighborhood Baselines. University of Florida Program for Resource Efficient Communities. Renters with inefficient appliances, poorly functioning air conditioning, and water leaks may spend hundreds to thousands of dollars in additional annual costs.
“It’s estimated that between $4 and 11 billion in energy savings each year are being left on the table without extensive weatherization and energy efficiency retrofits for low-income rental properties alone.” - Alliance to Save Energy