HUD's Office of Public Housing Programs, Energy Branch conducts initiatives to support HUD’s Climate Action Plan and Strategic Priorities. These initiatives include partnerships with the 3,000+ public housing authorities (PHAs) throughout the U.S. and its territories to improve energy and water efficiency, enable the implementation of renewable energy, and improve energy equity.
The Energy Branch develops, implements, and manages energy and water efficiency incentive programs for PHAs including Energy Performance Contract (EPC), Rate Reduction Incentive (RRI), Small Rural Frozen Rolling base (SR-FRB), and the Utility Partnership Program (UPP).
The Energy Branch also develops policy and provides support and technical assistance to PHAs and other constituencies to improve utility management, the utility subsidy process, and the Utility Expense Level (UEL). In addition, the Branch implements controls to ensure accurate funding of utilities; promotes energy and water efficiency and renewable energy, and supports departmental climate goals around energy conservation and climate resilience.
Using annual energy and water savings to pay third-party financing for up to 20 years, the Energy Performance Contract program (EPC) provides funding for PHAs to invest in energy and water-saving infrastructure and renewable energy.
Learn More
The Rate Reduction Incentive program (RRI) allows PHAs to keep up to 50 to 100% of savings from an eligible rate reduction action including solar credits.
Learn More
The Small Rural Frozen Rolling Base program (SR-FRB) allows small rural PHAs to keep 100% of energy and water savings for up to 20 years to use for eligible operating and capital expenses.
Learn More
Using annual energy and water savings, the Utility Partnership Program (UPP) allows PHAs to finance energy and water conservation projects up to 20 years through their local utility provider.
Learn More
- HUD proposes $300 million Site-Based Public Housing Enhancement, Resilience, and Efficiency (SPHERE) Grant in 2024 Budget. This includes up to $20 million to advance public housing benchmarking.
View energy management resources for Public Housing Authorities Learn More
Additional Federal resources related to energy and water conservation and renewable energy. Learn More
Energy Branch Contact Emails
To contact the Energy Branch or for information about the EPC, RRI, or UPP programs. Email PIHEnergyBranch@hud.gov
For information about the Small Rural Frozen Rolling Base (SR-FRB) program. Email SRFRB@hud.gov
Other Relevant HUD Emails
OpFund Web Portal Help
Email OpFundWebPortal@hud.gov for
questions about 52722/52723 submissions.
PIH Financial Management Division Operating Fund
Email PHFMD_OPFUND@hud.gov
EPC Field Office Interface (for M&V Reporting Questions)
Email OPHDataTeam@hud.gov
Section 30 Question and Submissions
Email Ophisection30submissions@hud.gov
Question about Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Email rad@hud.gov