Maryland’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to become the sole provider of weatherization and energy retrofitting programs for low income households throughout the state. DHCD will be responsible for allocating $70.6 million over the next three years to improve the energy efficiency of the state’s affordable housing stock. While DHCD is winding down its administration of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) under the 2008 Recovery Act, the PSC found that the state’s utility companies had not met the commission’s goals and expectations regarding the energy performance of low income households. DHCD manages four programs that contribute to Maryland’s energy reduction goals:

  • Weatherization Assistance Program improves the energy efficiency of single family homes;
  • Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability program provides similar services to multifamily rental units;
  • Statewide building codes; and
  • Be SMART program provides financing for energy improvements in homes, multifamily units and businesses.

To read the order from PSC, click here.