Who is Eligible?

This program is designed to help those experiencing a high "energy burden", as a way to help people reduce their utility bills by making the home more energy efficient. 9 out of 10 attics are estimated to be under-insulated, and too many homes are drafty, leaking warm air out in the winter and allowing humid air in the summer. This impacts our energy bills, our planet and residents' health.

Amounts - if you are within the income amounts above, you may be eligible for the following as a grant:

• Up to $7,500 in direct energy efficiency upgrades to your home

• Possible additional minor home repair funds

• (Optional) if you live in the City of West Allis, certain Milwaukee neighborhoods or Waukesha County and are eligible above, additional resources may be available to you

How to Sign Up:

Click here to tell us more about you and your home, or call Kevin at Green Homeowners United: (414) 604-6450‬

Energy Burden: What Does it Mean?

From a study by Sierra Club: “'Energy burden' is the percentage of household income that goes toward energy costs. For example: If your household spends $2,000 annually on energy bills, and your annual household income is $20,000, your energy burden is 10%. High energy burden is considered 6% or more."

The report continues: "85,000 people, or roughly 6% of the Milwaukee metro population, live in high energy burden census tracts with an average energy burden of at least 6%. However, areas with high energy burden are disproportionately Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities."

What can be done? Upgrading homes to make them less leaky ("air sealing"), insulating top and bottom, installing "smart" devices and low flow fixtures and servicing or replacing HVAC appliances.

Map of concentrations of energy burden in the Greater Milwaukee area (courtesy of Sierra Club)

What if I am above that income?

We believe that all homes can and should be upgraded to be energy efficient. Both for the homeowner as well as the planet. While our grant is focused on those mentioned above, Green Homeowners United can help you navigate other options, from instant rebates to understanding tax credits, to fair green financing.

Why green financing? - unlike some home improvement projects, making your home more energy efficient has the benefit of reducing you other monthly expenses by reducing utility bills (gas, electric, water & sewer), meaning that investments now can pay for themselves, over enough time. Fair green financing options have been created to help spread out the cost of improvements so that we can do them now for the planet's sake and begin to recoup the monthly energy savings now.

Residents of Harambee neighborhood may also be eligible for a matching grant (up to $10,000, funds limited) to cover larger improvements more affordably. Grant can match dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 the amount financed. (Ex: $10,000 in affordable green lending unlocks $10,000 in additional grant funds. Grant does not need to be repaid)

Example 1: Windows

• Old windows can be the source of air leaks and heat loss (though often not the number 1 issue), but they can be pricey to replace.

• Our green financing program can allow you to replace windows for $10 per window per month, on average.

Example 2: Fully Insulating, Top and Bottom

• Many people understand the benefit of insulating and air sealing our attics, but that is only half the equation.

• Insulating the basement walls and attics is like wearing a hat and thick socks, the whole body will be more comfortable.

• Our green financing program can allow you to insulate the home, top-to-bottom at between $150-$200 per month, or even at 0% interest over 12 months to just spread the cost out.

Based on 2.99% below-market-rate green financing over 144 months, exact amount may change based on size or complexity of project. Other financing rates/terms available.

How to Sign Up:

Click here to tell us more about you and your home, or call Kevin at Green Homeowners United: (414) 604-6450‬