Lexington’s Malabu Manor Apartments awarded $750K federal grant for green upgrades

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Malabu Manor Apartments in Lexington is among the recipients of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), receiving a $750,000 grant for energy efficiency and climate resilience improvements. The announcement was made on Wednesday, as part of an initial $18 million in grant funding and loan commitments under the GRRP.

The GRRP is a component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and climate resilience in HUD-assisted multifamily housing. The program has a total of more than $800 million in grant and loan subsidy funding, along with $4 billion in loan commitment authority.

HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge stated that the first wave of funding will focus on practical upgrades such as adding solar panels, updating heating and cooling systems, and replacing windows. The Malabu Manor Apartments are among 28 multifamily properties nationwide that will benefit from this initial round of funding, which aims to support over 3,400 HUD-Assisted Multifamily rental homes for low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

The funding falls under the GRRP’s “Elements” award category, which provides for climate resilience and energy and water efficiency improvements. These can include the installation of heat-wave resilient cool roofs, fire-resistant roofs, on-site solar power systems, and insulation.

Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon emphasized that the GRRP represents a significant investment in communities that need it most. “GRRP is a significant investment in communities that typically do not receive this type of assistance yet are often the most adversely affected by climate change,” she said.

The program is expected to release additional rounds of awards throughout 2023 and 2024. Property owners are encouraged to continue submitting applications for grant awards or loans in any of the three categories under the program.

For more information, visit HUD’s official website.