HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/19/2024 - Memorandum from Sue Beck-Ferkiss re 2050 Sustainability Tax Grants to Offset Utility Costs for Affordable Housing (2)Social Sustainability Department
222 LaPorte Avenue
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221=6753
sbeckferkiss@fcgov.com
CC: Brain Tholl
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 6, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer
Beth Yonce, Social Sustainability Director
From: Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Interim Housing Manager
Subject: 2050 Sustainability Tax Grants to Offset Utility Costs for Affordable Housing
BOTTOM LINE
City of Fort Collins grants to offset Utility Fees were awarded to Housing Catalyst for the Village
on Impala, CARE Housing for Heartside Hill, and to Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity for
Harmony Cottages.
BACKGROUND
In 2024, City Council supported grant funding to offset utility fees for affordable housing
development, particularly electric and water fees, using the voter approved Fort Collins 2050
Climate Programs Tax. This funding is for projects that advance greenhouse gas and pollution
reduction, the City’s goal of 100% Renewable Electricity, and the City’s 2050 Goal of
Community-wide carbon neutrality.
Funds were made available in 2024 to provide grants to offset increasing costs of utility related
development fees for affordable housing projects targeting households earning no more than
80% Area Median Income. Grant criteria were developed collaboratively including the Utility
Department, Social Sustainability Department, and local affordable housing providers and
developers. Using the $400,000 appropriated for this purpose, the City provided grants in the
form of fee credits to offset the utility costs for three eligible Affordable Housing Projects.
1. Housing Catalyst applied for the Village on Impala. The Village an Impala project
demonstrates a commitment to Our Climate Future goals related to “Efficient, Emissions
Docusign Envelope ID: 917A350A-B63E-471B-B518-08F6E887F85A
Free Buildings” and “100% Renewable Electricity” through the installation of 249 kW of solar
generation and the consideration of all-electric buildings. As the community adopts more
clean energy resources, we increase local resilience and provide occupants with healthier
indoor air quality. The desire to install heat pumps and pursuit of Energy Star certification
are examples of project specifics that support community goals. Housing Catalyst was
awarded $200,000 in fee credits to offset utility fees at the Village on Impala.
2. CARE Housing applied for the Heartside Hill project. Heartside Hill is a participant in the
Utilities Integrated Design Assistance Program (IDAP) and is achieving energy efficiency
goals using ductless heating and cooling technology. In addition, this development includes
strategies that are aligned with the US Department of Energy Zero Energy
Ready certification. A DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a high-performance home that is so
energy efficient that a renewable energy system could offset most or all the home's annual
energy use. CARE Housing was awarded $100,000 in fee credits to offset utility fees at
Heartside Hill.
3. Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity applied for the Harmony Cottages project. Harmony Village
is also an IDAP participant, and Habitat has demonstrated a commitment to designing with
high performing building enclosure. This includes intentional plangs for building orientation
to optimize heating and cooling performance, installation of energy recovery
ventilation (ERVs), and additional insulation including in the foundation. The commitment to
building science considerations will continue to provide benefits to occupants/owners year
over year and are in alignment with best practices in high performing building design. Fort
Collins Habitat for Humanity was awarded $100,000 in fee credits to offset utility fees at
Harmony Cottages.
NEXT STEPS
• Explore additional opportunities to operationalize City resources to build and preserve
affordable housing.
• Explore continuing to partner with the City Utility Department and affordable housing
providers to encourage the focus on high performance in new construction.
• Continue to promote the City’s Utilities Integrated Design Assistance Program (IDAP).
Docusign Envelope ID: 917A350A-B63E-471B-B518-08F6E887F85A