Public Housing
The improvement of public housing energy use has become a top priority of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 offering new opportunities for public housing agencies (PHAs) and multi-family housing facilities to implement, finance and track energy efficiency improvements. With rising utility costs, approximately 65% of U.S. public housing units built before 1970, and almost half of U.S. public housing in the second-coldest climate zone in the country, improving public housing energy efficiency presents significant challenges.
“Ameresco’s excellent track record of success working in South Florida and with housing authorities across the country to identify potential energy savings will allow Miami-Dade County to further advance our commitment to providing our community with the highest level and most efficient service possible.”
–Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez
Ameresco’s Public Housing Energy Efficiency Group focuses exclusively on publicly assisted multi-family housing facilities of 50 apartments or more, which includes more than 14 million U.S. households. By leveraging HUD public housing performance contracting (HUD EPC), a practice pioneered by Ameresco to address the $4 billion that HUD spends on public housing energy bills each year, we significantly reduce utility costs using a performance-oriented approach that strategically addresses equipment and systems, energy management and resident education.
With more than 30 years of experience, Ameresco’s public housing energy specialists have implemented performance contracts with project capital exceeding $500 million. We have improved 130,000 households (and counting) under performance-based energy and water services contracts.
Case Studies
San Francisco Housing Authority
A $12.5 million upgrade to windows and plumbing in the Ping Yuen housing complex will help to yield $60 million in energy savings.
Chicago Housing Authority
An ESPC provided funding and Ameresco helped to meet a goal of 50% participation by minority- and women-owned businesses.
Boston Housing Authority
Resident education combined with efficiency upgrades and renewable energy will reduce water use by 37% and natural gas use by 36%.
See Our Brochure
Ameresco has helped public housing authorities across North America improve sustainability, reduce energy and water costs and upgrade outdated equipment. Learn more in our Public Housing Experience brochure.