Financing for installing solar at two transitional housing projects was among the County's community energy projects.
Community Projects
Alameda County works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through promoting energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy. The County improves energy efficiency in community housing projects, provides financing for installing solar panels on transitional housing properties, and ensures that redevelopment projects use energy efficient lighting and other green building practices.
Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits
Energy Upgrade California
Energy Upgrade California helps Alameda County homeowners and renters make home improvements that can increase the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes. In addition to energy efficiency, in Alameda County the program promotes water efficiency, waste reduction, resource conservation and green building improvements. Visit the Energy Upgrade California website for information participating contractors to help plan and complete your project—and on rebates and incentives to help pay for it.
Housing Rehabilitation
Healthy Homes Project:
The Healthy Homes Project originally focused on lead poisoning prevention. The Project now offers housing-based allergen reduction services to improve ventilation, and weatherization and home energy efficiency services in homes of asthmatic children. The program uses an integrated systems approach to a healthy home which includes seven principles: Keep it Dry, Keep it Clean, Keep it Safe, Keep it Well Ventilated, Keep it Pest Free, Keep it Contaminant Free, Keep it Well-Maintained. The service area is properties constructed prior to 1978 in the cities of Alameda, Emeryville, and Oakland, where the owners pay a per unit fee on their property taxes.
Energy Efficiency Requirements for Housing Rehabilitation:
To help provide energy savings as well as improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gases, the County has modified specifications for housing rehabilitation projects to require green practices. These specifications are required when property owners receive loans from the County for housing rehabilitation. These green practices include fluorescent lighting in baths and kitchen, and efficient attic insulation.
These specifications also require other smart green practices, including low flow shower heads and water saving toilets, low VOC paints, lead based paint testing and lead safe painting, recycled content decking, separation and minimization of the waste stream, and the reduction of hazardous products and materials.
Neighborhood Revitalization
The County provided financing to a community based non-profit organization to install solar panels on two multi-unit transitional housing properties in unincorporated County to reduce energy costs for low income residents.