TO: Housing Authority Commissioners
FROM: Jennifer Palmer, Executive Director
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Covenants
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize covenants to participate in the Low-Income Weatherization Program. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) is a program funded by the California Department of Community Services and Development and administered by the Association for Energy Affordability. LIWP serves low-income households install no-cost solar photovoltaic systems and access energy efficiency upgrades to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in low-income multi-family affordable housing units.
The County of Napa’s three farmworker centers each meet LWIP eligibility requirements for no-cost technical assistance and equipment upgrades. LIWP participants are required to sign a covenant as a condition of receiving funds. The covenant ensures long-term income affordability of the property’s rental units for a period of 10 years and confirm that at least 66% of households are at or below 80% Area Median Income.
Following covenants approval, site visits initiate no-cost technical assistance and provide participants eligible energy efficient upgrade reports. Based on final determined scope of work, LWIP participants are able to reserve financial resources eligible upgrades, install the equipment, and claim the program rebates.
Construction on eligible upgrades must be completed by May 31, 2026.
Requested action: Approve and authorize covenants to participate in the Low-Income Weatherization Program at each of the County’s three Farmworker Centers.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
No-cost technical assistance is a unique opportunity to evaluate energy efficiency at the Centers - reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering utility costs. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Reduced utility expenses via energy efficient upgrades. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
No financial incentives for energy efficient upgrades. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 1538 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.