Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program for up to $20,000,000 and authorizes a partnership agreement with Urban Triage, Inc., for the purposes of applying for the grant and, if awarded, implementing projects related to the grant. There is no cost to the City with the partnership agreement and no match requirement for this grant program. If the grant is awarded, a resolution will be submitted to the Common Council to amend the Sustainability Improvements capital budget for the award. No appropriation is required at this time.
Title
Supporting an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program to support energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements in single and multifamily affordable housing and build capacity of community partners to advance energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient housing through outreach and education.
Body
WHEREAS, in March of 2017, the Common Council adopted RES-17-00213 which called on the City to establish a goal for City of Madison operations and community to reach a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; and,
WHEREAS, residential buildings are the source of nearly one fifth of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions in Madison in 2022; and,
WHEREAS, improving energy efficiency of residential buildings is a key strategy for cutting greenhouse gas emissions while reducing energy burden and improving affordability for Madison households; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison and local community-based organizations have a strong foundation of collaboration to advance energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient affordable housing through programs such as the Efficiency Navigator and Home Rehabilitation Programs; and,
WHEREAS, additional state and federal grant funding is needed in order for these programs to meet the need in our community; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) aims to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while benefiting disadvantaged communities, and;
WHEREAS, there is no cost match requirement for this grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Change Grants program requires that local governments enter into a statutory partnership agreement with a community-based organization in order to be eligible to apply to the program; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is collaborating with local, community-based organizations focused on energy efficiency and affordable housing to develop a proposed project that fits within the scope of the Community Change Grants program; and,
WHEREAS, this proposed project will use Community Change Grant funding to: 1) provide retrofits to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality in single and multifamily affordable housing, 2) build the capacity of local community based organizations to provide education and outreach to advance energy efficiency and indoor air quality, and 3) support green workforce development.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that City Staff is authorized to submit an application to the Community Change Grants program for up to $20,000,000 to support the proposed project; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute a statutory partnership agreement with Urban Triage, Inc., in a format approved by the City Attorney and consistent with the requirements of the Community Change Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity, and for the purposes of applying for and, if awarded, implementing the project.