HUD invests $837M in energy, climate renovations for multifamily housing

The funds come from the Inflation Reduction Act and $4 billion of loan commitment authority.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Thursday announced that it will be investing more than $837 million in funds from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and its own commitment authority to address energy costs and housing quality in underserved communities.

The funding will be distributed through HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate resilience, as well as energy and water efficiency of HUD-assisted multifamily properties located in low-income communities.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge will announce the funding initiative during an appearance in Center Line, Michigan.

“Under the leadership of President Biden, HUD is committed to building a more equitable and sustainable housing system and making necessary investments to reduce the impacts of climate change and improve the lives of people across America,” Secretary Fudge said in a statement. “The launch of the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program today will ensure low-income individuals and families have better access to healthy, energy efficient, and resilient homes.”

Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act allocated $837.5 million in grant and loan subsidy funding and $4 billion in loan commitment authority specifically for this program.

An additional $42.5 million will also be going toward a new HUD initiative coming in the summer, which will “collect and assess energy and water usage data from HUD-assisted multifamily housing properties to better target opportunities to save energy and water, cut costs, and reduce emissions,” according to HUD.

“Lower-income communities are often the last to obtain access to state-of-the-art efficiency, resilience, and clean energy technologies,” said Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner Julia Gordon. “The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program will change this by providing communities with an opportunity to lead the multifamily sector in retrofitting homes to make them safer and more sustainable for the future.”

HUD noted that building owners will be able to more easily invest in new technologies designed to increase climate resilience and pay more attention to their carbon footprints. These technologies include solar panels for electricity, heat pumps for interior climate control, roofing that is more resistant to heavy winds and others.

“The program’s implementing notice and Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) released today detail a range of grant and loan funding options for multifamily housing owners with varying levels of expertise with green retrofits,” HUD said. 

The agency noted that the GRRP is the first HUD program to offer simultaneous investments in energy and water efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, clean-energy generation and climate resilience strategies in multifamily housing.

Read on.

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7 Easy Tips To Turn Your Garden Into a Bee Sanctuary

The sun is shining, the grass is getting greener, and all of those lovely pollinators are starting to reappear in your garden.

And if you love bees as much as we do, you’re probably wondering what you can do to support the tiny creatures during the early spring season. After all, scant food and chilly nights don’t exactly make for the easiest living conditions.

To help, we spoke to gardening experts to find the best ways to support the bees in your yard during spring. Here are seven things you can do right now to ensure a healthy environment so your local pollinators can thrive all summer long.

1. Put down the rake (for now)

One of the best ways to make your yard a bee haven this spring? Hold off on raking, mowing, or tilling.

“Wait to rake until late spring or early summer to help protect queen bees and other pollinators that may be hibernating in the soil,” says Zeeshan Haider, CEO and founder of Greenry Enthusiast.

When temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, all the sleepy bees will have fully emerged and you can get to cleaning up your yard then.

2. Go organic

Another way to support your local pollinators right now is to resist adding harmful chemicals to your yard.

“Eliminating pesticides creates an environment that keeps bees safe, which will help your garden spring to life big-time,” says Elle Meager, founder of Outdoor Happens. “Splashing your tomato plants or herb garden with pesticides to eradicate a few aphids is likely doing more harm than good. So try natural pest control methods instead.”

Natural methods include blasting plants with water, using organic alternatives like neem oil, or even introducing larger predators that will take care of the pest control for you.

One such spotted predator that won’t harm the bees? Ladybugs.

“Ladybugs are far superior to pesticides,” adds Meager.

3. Keep the weeds

Once your bees are safe, it’s a good idea to ensure your garden and yard have some natural food sources. And in spring, food often comes from the weeds we all love to dig out.

“No one likes weeds—except bees,” says Andrea Ballanti of Your Indoor Herbs. “Dandelions and clover are great sources of food for bees. So if you can, leave these plants around for a bit so your local bees can feed on them.”

Your garden will thank you. Besides being good early-season food for bees, clover and dandelion are also natural soil builders.

4. Embrace native plants

If you love bees, then you probably know all about planting a wide variety of pollinator-friendly plants. But one of the best things you can add to your garden for the bees are plants that naturally grow in your climate.

“Native plants are adapted to your local soil, making them more resilient and better able to provide the resources that pollinators need,” says Zahid Adnan of The Plant Bible.

Because they’ve co-evolved with native pollinators, native plants are also more likely to provide the right kind of nectar and pollen for local bees.

5. Refill your water features

If you have a fountain or some other water feature in your yard, now’s a good time to fill them up for your local pollinators.

“Bees work hard in your garden,” says Meager. “They then work up a thirst. So adding plenty of fresh water will incentivize them to stick around nearby and make themselves at home.”

Meager recommends adding birdbaths of various sizes and depths to help local songbirds and other pollinators quench their thirst as well.

6. Build some bee hotels

After food and water, consider providing your pollinators with a bit of extra shelter. One way to do this is to build a bee hotel.

“Bee hotels provide nesting habitat for solitary bees, which make up the majority of bee species,” says Adnan. “Logs with holes drilled into them make great bee hotels, but it’s important to make sure the holes are the right size.”

Different bee species have different preferences for hole diameter, so be sure and do some research on which kind of bees you’d like to attract (and their preferred diameter of nesting hole) before you start drilling.

7. Be patient and observe

If you’re hoping to build a garden that local pollinators will return to year after year, one of the best things you can do is also one of the simplest: Pay attention.

“Observe the bees and other pollinators that visit your garden, and try to identify the different species you see,” says Adnan. “This can help you tailor your gardening practices to the needs of local pollinators.”

And don’t be afraid to experiment and try out new varieties of flowers that might offer new food sources or nesting habitats. Take note of what your local bees seem to love, and then work on adding more.

Get more like this on Realtor.com

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• If the Housing Market Is Down, Why Do Bidding Wars and Offers Over the List Price Abound?

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Combat the Summer Heat With These Preventative Measures

Summer is here, and it brings with it a lot of heat, making it necessary to keep your home cool and comfortable.

However, before you break your bank, you can take precautionary measures to keep your home cool and save on the power bill. Cooling your home can be challenging during those hot, sweltering months. This blog post outlines some preventative measures to effectively beat the summer heat in your home.

Utilize Ceiling Fans
Utilizing ceiling fans can be a smart and economical decision when trying to keep cool during summer the air in your home; ceiling fans create a refreshing breeze and insulation layer that can help maintain a comfortable temperature even in the midst of scorching heat. Remember to set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise, as this will create a cooling effect in your rooms. With this simple step, you can easily reduce your dependence on air conditioning and save money on energy bills while staying cool and comfortable all season.

Invest in Shades, Blinds or Curtains
When summer reaches its peak, shielding your windows from sunlight with shades, blinds, or curtains can be a lifesaver. These window treatments can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home, keeping it cooler and more comfortable. During the hottest hours of the day, it's best to keep your shades, blinds, or curtains closed to reduce the sun's heat. This investment will help improve your overall living conditions and save on energy costs since your air conditioning unit won't have to work as hard to keep up.

Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting trees and shrubs around your house can provide many benefits beyond simply sprucing up your landscaping. These plants can act as natural cooling systems by creating cooler temperatures and providing shade from the sun's direct heat. In fact, studies have shown that plants can be even more effective at cooling than human-made cooling systems. Placing trees and shrubs around your home can save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Get Your AC Serviced
Keeping your home cool during the warm summer months is crucial, but it can be difficult to achieve if your air conditioner isn't running smoothly. By neglecting to get ac service to your unit, you risk losing efficiency, which can lead to higher energy bills and discomfort in your own home. Preventative maintenance is key in preventing costly repairs in the future. By hiring a professional to check and service your air conditioner before temperatures rise, you can ensure that your unit operates optimally when you need it most.

Seal Windows and Doors
Another essential step to reduce heat and humidity in your house is to properly seal your windows and doors. Check if there are any cracks or gaps and seal them to prevent hot air infiltration. This will keep your air conditioning system functioning at optimal capacity, reducing the energy bill, and keeping your home cool and comfortable.

Beating the summer heat can be challenging, but with preventative measures like investing in shades, blinds, and curtains, utilizing ceiling fans, planting trees and shrubs around your home, and getting your AC serviced regularly, you can keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months. Following these steps will not only make it easier to stay cool and comfortable, but it will also help save money on your energy bills. So take proactive measures now to beat the summer heat in your home.

How to Make Hummingbird Nectar

In a few easy steps, you can bring these nectar-loving birds to your feeder.

by the Audubon Society

Hummingbirds may be some of the smallest birds in the world, but fluttering those tiny wings can be quite a workout. Flapping away at up to 90 beats per second burns up calories fast; to maintain their momentum, hummingbirds need to eat—a lot! To satisfy their speedy metabolisms, these busy birds consume half their body weight in bugs and nectar, feeding every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.
You can help these hardworking foragers get the nutrients they need by providing them with their favorite post-workout meal—nectar. This hummingbird sweet treat can be made right at home with a few simple ingredients. By filling your feeder with this DIY delight, you can complement nectar-rich plants and watch these beautiful little birds feed and flitter all day.
Materials:
• 1/4 cup refined white sugar
• 1 cup boiling water
• Bowl
• Spoon
Note: Please do not substitute honey, which can promote dangerous fungal growth, or use red food coloring, which is not necessary and could also prove harmful to birds.Steps:
1. Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar is dissolved.
2. Cool and fill feeder.
3. Hang up your feeder outside and wait for the hummingbirds to come.
***
You Can Help! Attract hummingbirds naturally by planting nectar-bearing native plants in your yard or community.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Property Taxes Explained by a former County Appraiser!

by Janell Arant

In the last several years, homeowners have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of what comes with an absurdly imbalanced seller’s market, resulting from a high demand for housing with not enough inventory, which created unprecedented home equity gains.

Picture a typical spring storm – a little wind, a little rain turning to giant snowflakes that melt the next day, right? Maybe a few broken branches, but people are outside walking their dog and getting on with their day. Then, picture bomb cyclone...a culmination of extreme weather conditions all joining forces, never seen before in one storm.

Now picture your 2023/24 property taxes as that bomb cyclone (yes it’s a stretch but stay with me). In this scenario, the County Assessor’s office is the weather reporter, simply gathering the data and delivering the report to you, good or bad. The County appraisers gather sales data occurring during a select period of time, to value homes equitably so property taxes can be collected by the County Treasurer to pay for public services such as schools, roads, water, sewer, libraries, and public safety! All the things we need to run our cities well.

On May 1st the news of that bomb cyclone is hitting homeowner’s mailboxes in the form of a little postcard known as your NOV (Notice of Value) sent by the Assessor’s office.

For homeowners, it comes down to this: While unprecedented housing market conditions were great for earning equity, they are now going to be paying for it in their property taxes. BUT, it might be possible to reduce the amount owed, at least by a little, by doing some legwork + research! Protesting your property value is every tax payer’s right.

Please let me know if you have questions or would like help with the process. I’m here to be your local Real Estate Resource!

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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