HUD announces new energy standards for affordable housing

Author

Image of Julia Cortina.jpg

Julia Cortina

Associate Legislative Director, Human Services & Education | Immigration Task Force
Charlotte headshot

Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart

Associate Legislative Director, Environment, Energy & Land Use | Gulf States, Counties & Parishes Caucus

Upcoming Events

Related News

Home construction

Key Takeaways

On April 24, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the adoption of new energy-efficiency standards for the construction of new single and multifamily homes. The standards will apply to new construction under several HUD and USDA programs and will go into effect on May 28, 2024.

What are the new standards?

The new standards fulfill a requirement from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-40) that directs HUD and USDA to adopt the most recently published energy-efficient standards that are supported by the 

  • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  • American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
  • Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)

HUD and USDA have not updated their energy efficiency standards since 2015 and this action will bring them back into compliance with the statute. 
Highlights of this action include:

  • The new standards apply to new construction financed through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Project Based Vouchers, Choice Neighborhood Grants, USDA Direct and Guaranteed Home Loan programs, the Housing Trust Fund and more.
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-financed housing is excluded from these standards.
  • In persistent rural poverty areas, compliance with the new standards will be required 24 months after the May 28 start date.

How will counties and our residents be impacted?

  • As of December 2023, six states (California, Washington, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and Illinois) have already adopted the 2021 IECC, and five states (Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Maryland, and Oregon) adopted the 2021 IECC with weakening amendments. 
  • Housing will generally have more insulation in the walls and roofs, better air sealing and windows, more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and reduced pollution.
  • HUD and USDA estimate that code compliance costs from this rule on average will add approximately $37 to monthly mortgage payments, but save homeowners $80 a month on monthly energy bills, resulting in a yearly savings of $524.

Additional Resources

Related News

Clerk Terry Wilbur testifies, on behalf of NACo, before Congress on May 7, advocating for the reauthorization of the Brownfields Program.
County News

County official urges Congress to boost brownfields cleanup funding

Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur told the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment that brownfields can present land use challenges and negatively affect property values, but can provide counties with an opportunity to revitalize their economies and communities.

Aerial view of drinking water treatment plants for big city from water management
Advocacy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces actions to combat PFAS contamination

On April 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new suite of upcoming actions to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These measures, outlined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, aim to strengthen scientific understanding, enhance enforcement and build partnerships with impacted communities, including counties and other local governments.

County Clerk Terry Wilbur Testifying
Advocacy

NACo testifies before Congress on brownfields revitalization

On May 7, Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled “Cleaning Up the Past, Building the Future: The Brownfields Program”.