WarmUp Cincy
Renter and Landlord Energy Efficiency Engagement Program (RALEEE)
Partnering with Strategies to End Homelessness (STEH), this program combines the efforts from the original Tenant and Matching Grant Pilots to be a single program to support both low-income renters and landlords. Through this program, tenants will receive energy education and one-time utility assistance support. Landlords of small, affordable, multifamily buildings can receive funding incentives for completing electricity saving upgrades at the building-level or unit-level.
Home Repair Service Energy Efficiency
Through the City of Cincinnati Building and Inspection Department, the Home Repair Service Program offers emergency repair grants to help income eligible homeowners with home repairs, energy conservation, and maintenance services to keep a home safe and habitable. People Working Cooperatively Inc. (PWC) leads these home repairs. Funds from WarmUp Cincy will go to bolster the energy efficiency upgrades portion of this program so it can go to support more energy burdened residents achieve greater energy savings.
Whole Building Retrofit Pilot
Partnering with Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH), Green Umbrella, and multiple research institutions, this pilot focuses on comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades in 6 multifamily buildings within OTRCH’s affordable housing portfolio. This initiative will enhance tenant comfort, reduce energy costs, and improve environmental outcomes. Read more about the Whole Building Retrofit Pilot here.
Matching Grant Pilot
A total of $290,472 was invested into the Matching Grants Pilot, which focused on incentivizing owners of affordable, multifamily properties to complete energy efficiency improvements in their buildings. Landlords who applied and completed upgrades were awarded up to $5,000 as a grant match for the work completed. Upgrades ranged from insulation and air sealing to energy efficient appliances and light fixtures. This program impacted 272 households and led to a total of 70 buildings improved. The total investment into this program was $290,472.
Pilot is now closed.
Tenant Program Pilot
This program provided one-time utility bill payment support up to $500 qualifying low-income tenants. Tenants could watch energy efficiency videos or schedule an energy audit with People working Cooperatively to find out how to make their unit more efficient, and even receive an in-unit upgrade to reduce usage and increase savings. A total of 218 households were reached through this program. $61,250 in utility support was provided and through the upgrades, and participating units are saving $112 per unit per year. Community Action Agency and People Working Cooperatively were key partners.
Pilot is now closed.