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INVESTING $50 MILLION IN GREEN BUILDINGS
FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

LIIF has committed $50 million to green buildings in low income communities over the next three years. Through this commitment LIIF will deepen its impact by extending the benefits of green building practices to low income communities and families. Low income households and community developers often are unable to reap the cost savings and environmental and health benefits of greener buildings due to a lack of sufficient financing and information. To address this challenge, LIIF has created solutions to help organizations serving low income communities
“go green.”

FINANCING SOLUTIONS

Affordable Multifamily Retrofit Initiative

The new Affordable Multifamily Retrofit Initiative will provide financing for green retrofits through a $4 million loan fund. The initiative will provide technical support and loans to projects in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland, as well as other Bay Area cities. Loans will finance energy and water efficiency improvements to existing, older affordable multifamily housing developments and be repaid through savings on utility expenses. The initiative is projected to serve 1,300 apartments in the targeted areas, reducing energy and water consumption by at least 25 percent.

As part of the initiative, LIIF has worked with Enterprise Community Partners and the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing to develop a set of Energy Audit Protocols for multifamily housing. These protocols will be used for all properties participating in the Affordable Multifamily Retrofit Initiative. 

The State of California awarded $3 million in funding from the State Energy Program to the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. and LIIF to launch this program. The award is the first of its kind to bring the benefits of energy efficiency and green retrofits to Bay Area families living in affordable housing.

Contact: Tara Siegel, Green Program Manager, tsiegel@liifund.org, (415) 489-6116


Green Opportunity Fund (GO Fund)

The Green Opportunity Fund (GO Fund) is LIIF’s newest tool to ensure every community sees the benefits of greener, healthier environments. This is the first fund dedicated to financing energy efficiency retrofits and installations for community facilities, such as charter schools, child care centers, health care clinics and senior centers. The GO Fund provides a unique financing solution that brings cost savings and environmental and educational benefits to low income communities in the Los Angeles area.

The fund provides energy audits, technical assistance and financing packages to cover the up-front costs of energy efficiency retrofits or installations to community facilities serving high need areas. The fund could reduce annual energy consumption and costs for community facilities by as much as 25%. LIIF is piloting the GO Fund in Los Angeles and plans to expand its reach to the other markets it serves – Northern California and the New York area.

Green Development Financing for Affordable Housing, Education and Child Care
LIIF provides financing for green building retrofits and new development through its lending programs for housing, education, child care and other community facilities in underserved neighborhoods.

WakelandWakeland Los Vecinos: LIIF provided $1.1 million in financing for Wakeland Los Vecinos, the first LEED-Certified Platinum, 100% solar-powered affordable housing in San Diego, California. The project has 42 units, which are rented to families earning 60% or less of area median income. The green elements of the project include a solar photovoltaic system that provides energy for the complex, design maximizes natural ventilation, tankless water heaters, energy efficient lighting and low water-use fixtures. Among the classes offered at the onsite recreation center are education programs focused on teaching residents environmentally responsible practices for daily living.

 

GRANT SOLUTIONS

California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (CPEEP)

The California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (CPEEP) helps center-based child care and preschool facilities in the Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric service areas be healthier, greener and save money on energy bills, all for free.

Through CPEEP, LIIF has improved the energy efficiency of 850 early childhood education centers serving over 53,000 children statewide. CPEEP is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. CPEEP facilities save approximately 30% on utility costs and reduced overall energy usage by 60%.


San Francisco Child Care Facilities Fund Solar Pilot Program

The San Francisco Child Care Facilities Fund Solar Pilot Program provides Renovation and Repair Grants to help cover the cost of installing solar power systems in San Francisco child care centers.

Good Samaritan Family Resource Center: LIIF provided a grant to Good Samaritan Family Resource Center, a San Francisco Head Start child care center that serves over 50 low income children. The grant capital was used to purchase and install 175 solar panels for Good Samaritan’s 15,000 square foot facility. LIIF also helped the center secure additional state and city rebates for the project. Due to LIIF’s investment, Good Samaritan now operates exclusively on solar power, significantly reducing its carbon foot print and operational expenses, resulting in cost savings that can be reinvested in serving the 50 low income children who attend the center.