Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator
The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), in partnership with the District Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and the DC Green Bank, is offering enhanced technical and financial assistance to owners and managers of qualifying affordable multifamily buildings that do not meet the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS).
What does AHRA offer?
This program is designed to help you:
- Understand the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) and how they apply to your building(s)
- Uncover energy-saving opportunities in your building(s)
- Access resources – including financing opportunities and financial incentives – to help you pay for upgrades that will aid in reducing energy use
- Identify a pathway to and meet BEPS compliance as determined by The Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
- Cut your energy costs, run your building more efficiently, and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
Eligibility
To benefit from AHRA assistance, a building must first qualify as affordable multifamily housing. To do this, it must be primarily residential and contain 5 or more subsidized or unsubsidized dwellings.
Additionally, one of the following is required:
- The building must feature restrictions or other covenants requiring that at least 50% of all units are occupied by households with incomes less than or equal to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- The building owner must demonstrate that rent levels in at least 50% of all units are affordable to households with incomes less than or equal to 80% of the AMI.
- AHRA assistance is subject to funding availability and is presently prioritized for affordable multifamily buildings that measure 50,000 square feet or greater and fail to meet BEPS compliance.
1. Income Guidelines for FY 2025*
(October 1, 2024 - September 20, 2025)
Household Size | Maximum Annual Income |
---|---|
1 | $86,650 |
2 | $99,000 |
3 | $111,400 |
4 | $123,750 |
5 | $133,650 |
6 | $144,550 |
7 | $153,450 |
8 | $163,350 |
2. Rent Level Guidelines for FY 2025*
(October 1, 2024 - September 20, 2025)
Bedrooms | Maximum Rent |
---|---|
Efficiency | $1,900 |
1 br | $2,030 |
2 br | $2,430 |
3 br | $2,850 |
4 br | $3,250 |
*Household income amounts listed in this table are effective as of 08/30/2024 and are subject to change. Please visit the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) website for the most up-to-date numbers. Buildings meeting the above income amounts will remain eligible for assistance even if DHCD's income amount guidelines decrease during FY 2025.
Find out if you qualify for Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator assistance
Fill out the form below to find out if your affordable multifamily building qualifies for enhanced assistance under the District’s Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator program.
Take the AHRA Training
To qualify for technical assistance and financial incentives under the Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator, all designated representatives of buildings that did not meet the District's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) must verify that they have completed the required video training. Please view the video in its entirety and fill out the web form to complete training verification.
Impact Stories & Resources
See our impact stories and take advantage of resources that make upgrades for affordable housing a breeze.
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Customer Story
Celebrating Paradise at Parkside: Site Tour & Energy Kit Distribution Event Recap
Paradise at Parkside made significant energy-efficient upgrades to their complex. DC government celebrated with a home energy kits giveaway.
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Customer Story
Paradise at Parkside: When Electrification Meets Affordable Communities
A model for energy-efficient living in Ward 7. Reduced bills, improved air quality, and sustainability with DCSEU initiatives.
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Customer Story
DC SAFE: A Sustainable Shelter for Survivors
A 6-year project in the making for the new SAFE Space Crisis Shelter.
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Paradise at Parkside
We're doing two things. We're providing better, less expensive heating and cooling for the residents, but also replacing units completely and cutting down our repair costs and replacement costs.
- Fred KillianCT Group, Regional Property manager
Find a Contractor
We have DCSEU-authorized implementation contractors, auditors, and performance testing contractors that support your affordable property through the retrofit accelerator process.