DHCD- Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability Program

Note: MEEHA funds now include two programs: EmPOWER (a grant and loan program focused on reducing electric or gas consumption) and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction program (a grants only program focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions). This entry refers only to the MEEEHA EmPOWER program. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides programs to increase energy efficiency of multifamily homes of low and moderate income households. MEEHA funds are restricted to affordable multifamily rental properties with income or rent restrictions for a minimum of 20% of units for tenants with income at or below 80% of AMI for a minimum of 5 years. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations and governmental entities. All building sizes and configurations including single family units as a group project, individually metered, or master metered buildings located in the service territories of BGE, Delmarva, Potomac Edison, PEPCO, Washington Gas Light, and SMECO are eligible for funding. MEEHA energy funds are used for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency measures. Funds are issued to affordable housing owners or developers through a grant or loan (typically 0% interest and deferred payments for the term of the loan). The amount of MEEHA funding is determined in one of two ways: an energy audit conducted by a Qualified Energy Auditor or through the use of a Prescriptive List​. In projects that complete an energy audit, funded measures are required to collectively meet a 1.1 Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR) and typical funding amounts range between $2,500 and $3,000 per unit depending on the type and age of the building. Funding for measures included in the prescriptive list is predetermined and cannot exceed $3,000 per unit. In each type of project, the funding may not cover the entire cost of the measure resulting in a cost share with the project Owner or Developer.