In a joint letter sent by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Energy (DOE), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State Utility Commissions are urged to make whole-building utility data available to affordable multifamily housing providers. Housing communities with individually-metered units often struggle to access utility data, hindering efforts to make energy efficient and climate resilient upgrades to properties.

“Multifamily properties are home to more than 19 million low-income households … and many of these properties need upgrades that would significantly reduce energy and water costs for their residents,” reads the letter.

The letter goes on to state that “in order to streamline participation in these programs and/or maximize the impact of available investments, property owners need access to complete energy use data for their buildings—something which is typically not available to owners of multifamily properties.”

HUD currently has two “green” opportunities where Multifamily housing providers need access to utility information, both through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). First, HUD is making grants and loans available for property retrofits that achieve climate resilience or energy efficiency. Second, HUD has made free energy and water benchmarking support available for four years to help properties identify current utility use and make targeted improvements.

LeadingAge applauds the joint federal agency letter and will continue to urge state utility commissions to improve utility data access for affordable housing providers.