The Long Island Power Authority in December announced a new partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to support energy efficiency, weatherization, and heat pump installations in low-income multifamily housing across Long Island and the Rockaways.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with HCR, LIPA will dedicate up to $2.7 million in 2026 to the Clean Energy Initiative program, an existing program created by a partnership between HCR and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The funding helps offset the cost of building electrification and weatherization upgrades in affordable housing projects financed by HCR.
The initiative is designed to reduce energy burdens for residents, improve building performance, and direct clean energy investment into historically disadvantaged communities.
LIPA Chief Executive Officer Carrie Meek Gallagher said: “This partnership is about affordability, equity, and results. By working with the New York State Housing Trust Fund, we can reach more low-income households faster, lower monthly energy bills, and ensure that the benefits of clean energy investments are felt in the communities that need them most.”
New York State law requires that at least 35 percent of the benefits from energy efficiency investments be allocated to disadvantaged communities. By integrating LIPA incentives directly into HCR’s affordable housing programs, the initiative is expected to deliver upgrades more efficiently and at a lower overall program cost than traditional approaches.
LIPA Board of Trustees Chair Tracey Edwards stated: “Affordability remains central to everything we do. This collaboration ensures that LIPA ratepayer dollars are used responsibly to deliver real value. Helping residents of affordable housing reduce energy costs while improving building quality is a smart, costeffective investment.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This partnership demonstrates that affordability and sustainability go hand-in-hand, while also prioritizing communities that have been historically disadvantaged. By aligning resources with LIPA, we are improving housing quality, reducing energy costs for residents, and advancing the State’s climate and equity goals.”
HCR finances the preservation and renovation of affordable multifamily housing using a combination of resources, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and bond financing.
LIPA’s funding to the Clean Energy Initiative Program will supplement these efforts by covering incremental costs associated with weatherization and electrification measures that might otherwise be deferred or downsized.
LIPA will evaluate the program’s performance during the 2026 calendar year and benchmark results against existing initiatives to inform future investments
