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A total of $10 million in grant money is available for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades in new regulated affordable multifamily housing. The funding comes from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) and will be issued by the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB).

Affordable housing developers can apply now for PCEF grants. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Friday, July 31.

The grants can help cover the capital costs of upgrading projects. The purpose of the Request for Applications (RFA) is to ensure buildings are built and operated in a way that reduces carbon emissions, reduces operating costs and improves resilience and health of tenants. To be eligible for these PCEF Funds, projects must have either a current loan or grant award from PHB that does not include PCEF or have received financial eligibility approval from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the RFA states.

The funds are being released as part of PCEF’s Strategic Program 1, a grant program established in 2023 and administered through PHB to provide up to $60 million over five years to regulated affordable housing developments in Portland. This solicitation marks Phase 2 of Strategic Program 1. In Phase 1, PHB committed over $60 million across 26 projects, a PHB press release states.

Strategic Program 1 funds could support investments such as mini-split heating and cooling, photovoltaic arrays, enhanced insulation, heat pump water heating, high efficiency ventilation, electric vehicle charging and trees, the press release states.

Interested affordable housing developers can find more information on the RFA on the city of Portland’s