Building collective power to ensure that all renters live in homes that are affordable and healthy

EEFA Initiative Update

Since 2013, Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) has connected climate, health, and equity by bringing energy efficiency to affordable housing. To date, more than 200,000 renters have benefitted from energy efficiency because of the advocacy of EEFA partners.

In 2020, a revisioning process was begun to support more democratic decision making among those working at the state and local level, to open up partnership in this work in a more equitable way by including frontline organizations and impacted communities in shaping the work, and to be more transparent around allocation of funding for this effort.

For more information about the genesis of this process, please review the EEFA assessment report, prepared by Keecha Harris and Associates.

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Our Issues

We all have the right to a secure and healthy home and a clean and safe environment, but those seemingly basic rights are out of reach for millions of Americans. Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) unites people from diverse sectors and backgrounds, including housing, energy efficiency, environmental, health, and community leaders, to collectively make multifamily homes healthy and affordable through energy and water efficiency.

Betty Arnez found it difficult to get by with high energy bills before efficiency upgrades were made to her apartment. Photo by Marcela Gara, Resource Media.

Energy efficient and affordable homes remain out of reach for millions of Americans, spurred on by flawed energy and housing policies. Our advocacy and organizing persuade local, state and federal officials to deliver more equitable policies.

The challenges that inhibit access to affordable and healthy homes are complex and require cooperative and interdisciplinary solutions. EEFA supports collaboration across both state and national efforts to learn together and develop collective solutions.

Energy efficiency improves indoor air quality and protects residents from harmful weather. The use of non-toxic building materials in energy retrofits protects residents, installers, and the broader community from exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Utility bills can comprise one-fifth of operating expenses of multifamily buildings. Savings via energy and water efficiency upgrades allow housing providers to replenish their reserves, address deferred maintenance, and increase resident services.

Energy efficiency is beneficial for both owners and residents of affordable housing. EEFA promotes proven best practices in program design and implementation to help administrators meet the needs of building owners and residents.

The share of income that black, Latinx, renters, and rural households spend on energy is far greater than for other households. Energy efficiency improvements can significantly cut or eliminate the excess energy burden experienced by these households.

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EEFA State Campaigns

EEFA builds power to change local policies and practices by seeding and supporting state-based coalitions of industry, advocates, and community-based partners who pool their resources and expertise to achieve common goals specific to their state.

EEFA National Initiatives

EEFA engages in several cross-cutting initiatives aimed at supporting our advocacy and organizing efforts. Initiatives convene interdisciplinary, cross-sector networks and teams to tackle complex issues collaboratively.

New Grantmaking Process and 2023 Grantee

MSC implemented a grantmaking process that evaluated organizations based on state activities and EEFA aligned areas of work while allocating additional funds to projects based on their relationship to frontline communities and DEI work.

Exploring Ethical Storytelling for Transformational Relationships (Part 2 of 3)

A select group of staff within the Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA) initiative questioned if the existing methods within the field align with our project’s values of partnerships, transparency, power-sharing, and centering equity.

Ethical Storytelling for Transformational Relationships (Part 1 of 3)

The EEFA Storytelling Working Group works to humanize the often very technical work that EEFA does. As a collective, we have committed to engage responsibly with storytellers, so we have created and follow the Ten Principles of Ethical Storytelling.

Voices of Energy and Housing Affordability - Pablo Davis Building Renovations

Built in 2000, the 80-unit Pablo Davis Elder Living Center was the first elder care center in southwest Detroit. Today, it is home to one of the largest solar installations on a multifamily building in the state of Michigan.

Action Housing Provides Affordable Homes

Pennsylvania

Action Housing provides affordable homes throughout Pennsylvania. Stories from residents speak to how affordable and sustainable homes provides opportunity to those in need.

Weatherization Assistance Program Success Story

Maryland

Her largest utility bill was once $500. Now it’s $150. A mother from Baltimore, Maryland talks about how her and her children benefited from energy efficiency upgrades through the Weatherization...

Keeping Bradford Apartments Affordable through Energy Efficiency

Maryland

Bradford Apartments was built in 1974. Outdated and inefficient building systems have caused high energy bills for residents. A grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Develo...