The Challenge: Rapidly Scale All-Electric Retrofits of Small, Multifamily Buildings
To accelerate all-electric retrofits of Massachusetts' buildings, we need real-world examples of how it can be done, insights into best practices, and an understanding of the costs and benefits. Through the Triple Decker Retrofit Pilot, MassCEC will build upon the lessons learned during our Triple Decker Design Challenge to demonstrate cost-effective decarbonization strategies for these locally common multi-family buildings. The Triple Decker Retrofit Pilot will showcase examples of all-electric retrofits and reveal additional insights. The results will inform efforts to rapidly scale all-electric retrofits of small multi-family buildings in the coming years.
About
The Triple Decker Retrofit Pilot offers technical support and incremental financial incentives to implement high-efficiency, all-electric retrofits of triple deckers, as well as performance monitoring to document the results. The Pilot offers two tracks: one for owners of Affordable Housing triple deckers and one for owners of Market Rate triple deckers. Both tracks offer incentives for retrofitting existing units or adding an additional all-electric unit.
MassCEC is pleased to have under contract New Ecology, Inc. (NEI) as our technical consultant for the Affordable Housing track and Abode Energy Management as consultant for the Market Rate track. The technical consultants
- Assist with program design and participant recruitment
- Conduct assessments of existing building conditions
- Provide technical support for building retrofits
- Test and analyze the efficacy of recommended weatherization approaches
- Conduct performance monitoring
Funding Schedule: Affordable Housing Track
Now open! Owners can apply for all-electric affordable housing triple decker incentives.
- Incentives available for retrofitting existing units and adding an additional all-electric unit.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The next review deadline is September 2, 2022.
Process Step |
Timing |
|---|---|
Application period opens |
January 19, 2022 |
First review deadline |
March 4, 2022 |
Second review deadline |
June 4, 2022 |
Third review deadline |
September 2, 2022 |
Building assessments and implementation of projects |
Spring 2022 - 2023 (may extend if necessary) |
Who's Eligible: Affordable Housing Track
Applicant must be the owner of a triple decker that meets one of the following criteria to demonstrate that it is affordable housing:
- An eligibility letter from the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network’s (“LEAN”) Low-Income Multifamily (“LIMF”) Energy Retrofits Program. See leanmultifamily.org for more details.
- A deed restriction that explicitly states the development has reserved the unit for households earning eighty percent (60%) or less of SMI. If the restriction is not explicit, Applicants will need to provide an alternative form of verification.
- For housing shelters, a letter from the Executive Director or another individual with signatory authority stating that the property is used as a housing shelter.
- Other forms of documentation as determined by MassCEC on a case-by-case basis.
The triple decker building must have been built before 1970.
For full Program details, please refer to the Triple Decker Retrofit Pilot Program Manual, below.
Apply
Application Process: Affordable Housing Track
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis via an online portal. The portal allows you to save an application you have begun and finish it at a later time.
A copy of the application form is provided for download for reference only. When you are ready to apply, you must use the portal.
The application requires that you print, sign, and upload Attachment A, which is available on this web page.
For full Program details, please refer to the Triple Decker Retrofit Pilot Program Manual.
Application Materials: Affordable Housing
Funding Schedule: Market Rate Track
Owners of Market Rate triple deckers: Please check back in Summer 2022 to apply for incentives!
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis via an online portal.
| Process Step | Tentative Timing |
|---|---|
| MassCEC releases RFP for technical consultant, in coordination with Decarbonization Pathways | January, 2022 |
| MassCEC announces selected technical consultant | March, 2022 |
| Rolling application period opens for Market Rate triple decker owners | Summer, 2022 |
| Building assessments and implementation of decarbonization projects | Summer 2022 - 2023 (may extend if necessary) |
Triple-Decker Retrofit Pilot Webinar
Learn about the Affordable Housing track
Recorded February 9th, 2022
Learn more about pilot goals, timeline, eligibility, and more.