Pilot Objectives
- Determine the financial and technical support needed to create higher efficiency affordable housing by:
- Incentivize developers to build energy efficient housing to help alleviate tenant energy burdens.
- Providing technical assistance on energy efficiency building design and equipment upgrades to qualify affordable housing projects for Phius + passive building certification or DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program certification
- Certify 100 affordable housing units, for Zero Energy Ready Home Program or Phius+ passive building certification
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.
Get Involved
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 |
Participation Requirements
Projects must meet the following criteria to qualify for Affordable Housing New Construction incentives from Focus on Energy:
- The construction site must be served by a participating Focus on Energy utility.
- The project must be more than four units.
- The project must have a documented application with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and an award letter for low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC).
- The project must be in a schematic or design development phase.
- The project may not be already enrolled in another Focus on Energy program.
Apply Today
Complete the Focus Custom Project Application.
When completing the Custom Project Information form, the Design Team should be noted as the Trade Ally.
Custom Project Application
Fill out the online Supplemental Application below.
Be sure to have your Custom Application, WHEDA Application, and LIHTC Award letter available to upload.
Supplemental Application
Learn More
Learn more about the pilot in the
Pilot Overview and Pilot Webinar.
Questions?
Contact Dan Moring at dan.moring@focusonenergy.com.
