Grants and Funding Opportunities


Senior Preservation Rental Assistance Contracts (SPRAC)

On January 8, 2013, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a notice in the Federal Register of the agency's intention to provide Senior Preservation Rental Assistance Contracts (SPRAC) with 20-year terms to unassisted units in pre-1974 Section 202 Direct Loan Supportive Housing for the Elderly after a property has been refinanced and/or rehabilitated. Download the notice here: http://www.gpo.gov/.

HUD has also put together a list of potentially eligible properties based on the current guidance:

 

The Ohio Home Weatherization Program (HWAP)

The Ohio Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is a no-cost energy assistance program designed to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by income-eligible Ohioans, reduce participants' household energy expenditures and improve participants' health and safety.  HWAP is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and provided to Ohioans at no cost for customers whose annual household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.  Ohio's HWAP is administered through the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), Community Development Division (CDD), Office of Community Services (OCS).

To find out of your multifamily building is considered eligible* for HWAP funds, please check List 1 & List 2 of Eligible Multifamily Buildings provided by the U.S. Department of Energy here: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/multifamily_guidance.html

Here is a link to a map of local HWAP service providers & their contact information:
http://www.development.ohio.gov/community/ocs/HWAP_LocateProviders.htm

Please contact your local provider for more information.

 

HUD Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing

Program Description:

Grants and loans will be made available through HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation (OAHP) for eligible property owners to make energy and green retrofit investments in the property, to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the property, the continued operation and maintenance of energy efficiency technologies, and the timely expenditure of funds. Physical and financial analyses of the properties will be conducted to determine the size of each grant and loan. Incentives will be made available to participating owners. The terms of the grants or loans will include continued affordability agreements. Grant and loan funds must be spent by the receiving property owner within two years. Full detail of how to apply, and grant and loan terms, will be published in a Housing Notice on May 13, 2009. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this program is 14.318.

To read more about the program, see the GRP program status report or to apply, please visit:
http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/recovery/programs/green

To download an overview of the GRP program, please click here: Green Retrofit Program

To download the NOFA in the Federal Register, please click here: NOFA - 5/10/2010

 

National Housing Trust

The National Housing Trust (NHT) has a list of "State and Local Preservation Resources:"
http://www.nhtinc.org/state_and_local_preservation_resources.php

To access the list for Ohio*, please click here:
http://www.nhtinc.org/downloads/oh_preservation.pdf

*This list is currently being updated by the National Housing Trust

 

Energy Savings Incentives & Financing


Columbia Gas of Ohio: Innovative Energy Solutions Grant Program

Columbia Gas of Ohio's Innovative Energy Solutions program is a grant program designed to provide Columbia and its commercial gas customers with opportunities to support natural gas conservation research and demonstration projects and to showcase leading-edge natural gas conservation approaches and technologies within its 61-county service territory. Grant awards vary by project type with a maximum of $100,000 toward one large-scale demonstration/research project. Up to $480,000 in funding is available through 11/30/2011 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

To learn more about the program, please visit:

http://www.columbiagasohio.com/innovative-energy-solutions.aspx

To download an application, please click here:

Innovative Energy Solutions project funding application form

 

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) Programs

http://www.ohiopartners.org/affairs.htm

The following programs are offered by OPAE in partnership with FirstEnergy Corporation, Northeast Ohio Natural Gas and Dayton Power & Electric and may provide opportunities for preservation.


Community Connections Program

The FirstEnergy Corporation had agreed to provide funding to OPAE to implement a comprehensive energy efficiency, weatherization, electrical safety, health and education program with the assistance of community-based organizations. The program began December 1, 2003, and ended on November 30, 2008. Low income residents of Ohio who were residential customers of Toledo Edison, the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, and the Ohio Edison Company benefited from energy efficiency education; energy efficient lighting; appliance and electric water heating repair or replacement; electrical wiring measures to ensure the safety of residences; repairs and replacements of roofs; and other measures to accomplish energy efficiency and weatherization. Below is a list of agencies that were contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Community Connections Program.

Agencies contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Community Connections Program (56 KB Adobe PDF File)


Community Connections 2 Program

Program design was the same as the original Community Connections with the same agencies contracting. Program ran from September 16, 2008 through November 30, 2009.


Community Connections 3 Program

Program design is the same as the original Community Connections with the same agencies contracting. Customers in the FirstEnergy territory who qualify and are approved for the Home Weatherization Program (HWAP), the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or has a household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, will be eligible for the service. The Community Connections 3 Program runs from June 1, 2009 until the next rate case.


Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Program

Northeast Ohio Natural Gas has agreed to provide funding to OPAE for the Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Program. Customers in the Northeast Ohio Natural Gas territory who qualify and are approved for the Home Weatherization Program (HWAP), the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or has a household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, will be eligible for the service. Services may include home weatherization, electric furnace repair or replacement, electric water heater repair or replacement, roof repairs or replacement, as well as health and safety issues. OPAE will administer the program and will be responsible for reporting expenditure information back to Northeast Ohio Natural Gas. It is estimated there are five hundred eligible customers in the Northeast Ohio Gas territory. Below is a list of Community Action Agencies who have contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Program.

Community Action Agencies who have contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Program (51 KB Adobe PDF File)


Smart Energy Community Program

The Dayton Power & Light Company has provided funding to OPAE for the Smart Energy Community Program. Services may include home weatherization, electric furnace repair or replacement, electric water heater repair or replacement, roof repairs or replacement, as well as health and safety issues. OPAE will administer the program and will be responsible for reporting expenditure information back to DP&L. Customers in the DP&L territory who qualify and are approved for the Home Weatherization Program (HWAP), the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or has a household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, will be eligible for the program. Below is a list of Community Action Agencies who have contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Smart Energy Community Program.

Community Action Agencies who have contracted with OPAE to provide services for the Smart Energy Community Program (50 KB Adobe PDF File)


The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority's primary mission is to provide for the conservation of air as a natural resource of the state by preventing or abating air pollution. It accomplishes this mission by helping finance air quality facilities for small and large businesses, utilities, government, and universities. Such facilities constitute an important tool that organizations can use to become more competitive and successful in their respective fields, while preserving the environment.

Contact: 614.224.3383

To learn more about the authority and its programs, please visit: http://www.ohioairquality.org/


The Environmental Finance Program

The Environmental Finance Program provides financial technical assistance to the regulated community on environmental finance issues, trends, and options. The Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) is an outreach service of this program offering electronic access to many types of environmental financing information on financing alternatives for State and local environmental programs and projects. Among the financing mechanisms on this page is the Guidebook of Financial Tools. It provides a wealth of valuable information on 250 financing tools that federal, state, and local governments and the private sector can use to pay for environmental programs, systems, and activities.

Contact Vera Hannigan by phone at 202-564-5001 or by email at HANNIGAN.VERA@epamail.epa.gov

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/p2/funding/funding1.aspx#finance


The Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program

The Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) program, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, offers reduced rate financing through partnering banks for Ohioans completing "whole home" weatherization and energy efficient improvements in their homes. ECO-Link provides powerful lending resources for homeowners to enjoy a more comfortable home, realize the savings from energy efficient products, and promote Ohio's developing green economy.

To learn more about the program, please visit:
http://www.tos.ohio.gov/ForYou/Default.aspx?Section=ECO


Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

To utilize the database, please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org/


Dayton Power and Light Business and Government Rebates

Rebates speed your return on investment in energy improvements on existing facilities. Incentives for surpassing standard building codes are also available on additions or new construction.

Dayton Power and Light's (DP&L) non-residential electricity customers are eligible for energy efficient technology rebates. Any eligible customer may submit unlimited applications for any metered entity of which they have 10% or greater control (national or chain accounts are a single customer). Non-residential customers can get rebates for energy efficiency measures added to an existing system when they retire usable electric-powered equipment and replace it with a more efficient model. Customers also have to demonstrate permanency or sustainability of savings over the payback period (5 years or longer). Equipment has to exceed minimum mandated efficiency standards. DP&L will not provide rebates for measures as part of new construction, measures that increase energy consumption of other systems, or measures that receive funding from another utility incentive program. Rebates will be paid within 30 days of an inspection of the system. Custom rebates are available to non-residential distribution customers and must meet a payback period between 1 and 7 years. Additional requirements apply; check website.

Contact: 937-331-4768

To learn more about the rebate programs, please visit:
http://www.dpandl.com/save-money/business-government/


The Ohio Energy Resources Division

The Ohio Energy Resources Division works to grow the economy of the state by connecting companies and communities to financial and technical resources to deploy renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency.

To learn more about the division, please visit: http://development.ohio.gov/Energy/


The Energy Conservation Program

The Energy Conservation Program allows school districts to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings and use the cost savings to pay for those improvements. Frequently called the House Bill 264 Program (after the 1985 law that created this financing mechanism), the Energy Conservation Program gives districts the ability, in this one limited instance, to borrow funds without having to pass a ballot issue for the authority to borrow. This limited borrowing authority has given districts the ability to save millions in utility bills and operating costs, and all at no additional taxpayer expense.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www.osfc.state.oh.us/Programs/EnergyConservationProgramHB264/tabid/69/Default.aspx


The Building Technologies Program (BTP)

The mission of the Building Technologies Program (BTP) is to develop technologies, techniques, and tools for making buildings more energy efficient, productive, and affordable. BTP focuses on improving commercial and residential building components, energy modeling tools, building energy codes, and appliance standards. This Web site provides information and resources for industry professionals to help reduce the energy use of new and existing buildings and strengthen the nation's energy future.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/


The Advanced Energy Grant Program

To qualify for the Advanced Energy Grant Program, projects must be located in Ohio and in the service territories of one of the four participating electric distribution companies. The four companies are:

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://development.ohio.gov/Energy/Incentives/AdvancedEnergyFundGrants.htm


The REAP/RES/EEI Grant Program

The REAP/RES/EEI Grants Program provides grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. It also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/9006grant.htm


The Tax Incentives Assistance Program (TIAP)

The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP), sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field, is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and subsequently amended several times.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://energytaxincentives.org/


Ohio's State Energy Program (SEP)

The State Energy Program provides financial and technical assistance to states through formula and competitive grants. States use their formula grants to develop state strategies and goals to address their energy priorities. Competitive grant solicitations for the adoption of energy efficiency/renewable energy products and technologies are issued annually based on available funding. States provide a 20% match under SEP annual formula allocations. SEP emphasizes the state's role as the decision maker and administrator for the program activities within the state. The energy offices in each state and territory are a vital resource for delivering energy benefits, addressing national energy goals, and coordinating energy-related emergency preparedness across the nation.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/sep.html


gridSMART from AEP Ohio

Welcome to gridSMART from AEP Ohio, an initiative that offers our customers new ways to think about electricity. This site is dedicated to bringing you energy efficiency programs with rebates and cost incentives, plus tips, tools and technologies so you can use less energy and save money.

To view AEP's gridSMART site, please visit: http://www.gridsmartohio.com/