MASFA will provide funding to property owners to install solar PV at public and private restricted affordable housing properties
Property owners will have the option to structure their solar project to be directly owned or via a third-party lease, and will be provided with free technical assistance to identify the best option for their property and prepare to apply for MASFA funding.
Notice for tenants
Tenants of affordable multifamily properties should be aware that MASFA funding for affordable multifamily properties is only available to owners to install solar PV on their property, and therefore is not available to individual tenants. If you live in an affordable multifamily property and are interested in solar, you can:
- Share information with your property manager or owner, so that they can review the eligibility and feasibility of the property for MASFA AMF programs; and/ or
- Consider Community Shared Solar.
Program Offerings
There are two MASFA programs available to different AMF properties
For Public Housing Authorities
The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) will provide direct financing for public housing authorities and housing authority affiliated entities to install solar PV on public housing properties and eligible affordable housing owned by housing authority affiliated entities. The BHA will also collaborate on centralized procurement activities for public housing authorities to install solar PV on residential multifamily properties. This includes both an "Ownership Solution” and a “Third-Party Owned” solutions, and a subsidy (or forgivable portion of the financing) available to both that enable project economics to deliver impactful savings to tenants.
The BHA will offer technical assistance grants to public/local housing authorities for PHA/LHAs to support solar design, financing and feasibility and deployment of Solar for All funding at PHA/LHA property.
Eligibility
- Federal public housing (Section 9 properties)
- Low-income housing tax credit properties owned by housing authority affiliated entities
- Other regulated affordable housing properties, owned by a housing authority affiliated entity, and where at least half of the units are available for families earning under 80% AMI may also be eligible
More information will be available soon on the BHA website.
For Affordable Housing Owners
The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB), a program of MassHousing, will provide direct financing for affordable housing owners to install solar PV on residential multifamily properties. This includes both an "Ownership Solution” and a “Third-Party Owned” solutions, and a subsidy (or forgivable portion of the financing) available to both that enable project economics to deliver impactful savings to tenants.
Additionally, MCCB will provide free technical assistance to navigate the complexities of project design, financing, and implementation of solar PV to property owners interested in applying for funding.
Eligibility
- Regulated affordable housing properties where at least half of the units are available for families earning under 80% Annual Median Income (AMI). More information on AMI can be found here.
More information will be available soon on the MCCB website.
Benefits
MASFA funding requires awarded properties to share benefits with tenants. Awarded projects will be required to set aside a portion of electric cost savings generated by the installed solar project to provide tenants with benefits that are equal to at least 20% of the average annual local utility cost. These benefits may be provided directly to tenants or indirectly to the property as a whole, based on how the property is wired and what is allowed by the property’s existing funding sources. MASFA will provide free technical assistance and share possible benefit options so that property owners can determine the best strategy for their tenants that provides material benefits without inadvertently increasing other economic burdens.
Labor and Procurement Standards
Federal Davis-Bacon wage standards apply to all SFA-funded projects with development costs greater than $250,000. Financial assistance from MASFA will by accompanied by information and requirements regarding Davis Bacon compliance.
SFA-funded projects may be subject to Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements. Specific project impacts may vary significantly depending on project size.