Background
Through the Affordable Housing New Construction (AHNC) pilot, developers and design teams working on low-income housing tax credit projects can receive incentives for achieving either U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home certification or Phius+ Passive Building certification on their project design. The pilot will test whether a dedicated program for affordable housing development can increase the number of low-income housing tax credit-financed projects pursuing energy efficiency certification, deepen energy savings, and support safer and healthier homes. This effort specifically targets income-eligible units to promote high efficiency building practices.
Project Timeline: January 2023 – December 2025
Customer Segment: Residential
Pilot Updates
One project is currently enrolled and is pursuing DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification. The team will continue to recruit additional project sites through July 31, 2024, and is actively conducting outreach to developers that have applied for and received WHEDA Low Income Tax Credits.
* Recruitment has ended for this pilot.
Why Participate?
Eligible projects will receive financial incentives for implementing energy-efficient design into affordable multifamily housing projects. Design team incentives are paid prior to construction starting and intended to offset the expense of meeting certification requirements. Developer incentives are paid upon successful project completion, inspection, and verification.
Pathway | Design Team Incentive | Developer Incentive |
DOE ZERH | $7,000 | $3,000/unit |
Phius+ | $10,000 | $4,000/unit |
Projects must meet the following criteria to qualify for Affordable Housing New Construction incentives from Focus on Energy:
Complete the Focus Custom Project Application.
When completing the Custom Project Information form, the Design Team should be noted as the Trade Ally.
Fill out the online Supplemental Application below.
Be sure to have your Custom Application, WHEDA Application, and LIHTC Award letter available to upload.
Learn more
Learn more about the pilot in the Pilot Overview and Pilot Webinar.
Contact Dan Moring at dan.moring@focusonenergy.com.