New Council Formed to Promote Energy Efficiency in Existing Properties

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A national trade group has created a council dedicated to promoting greater energy efficiency in existing federally assisted affordable housing developments.

The new Council for Energy Friendly Affordable Housing (CEFAH) is a new council within the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association. NH&RA, based in Washington, DC, is a national trade organization for professionals in the affordable multifamily rental housing industry, including developers and others.

CEFAH’s organizational meeting was held in Boston on 10/28/08 following NH&RA’s 2008 Fall Forum conference. At the conference, NH&RA Executive Director Peter Bell announced the formation of CEFAH, its purpose, and future plans. The organization will develop and seek approval of proposed changes – legislative, regulatory, procedural – to affordable housing programs, mainly federal, to facilitate the ability of owners to retrofit and upgrade their properties to achieve greater energy efficiency and utility cost savings.

Boston attorney David Abromowitz, of the law firm Goulston & Storrs, told the conference there’s enormous potential for improvement in this area. He noted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spends about $5 billion annually on energy and utility costs for the multifamily housing projects it assists (through rent subsidies, FHA mortgage insurance, etc.). A recent report by the Government Accountability Office detailed these costs, and HUD’s progress to date regarding energy efficient improvements to properties in its portfolio.

Abromowitz is helping spearhead the launch of CEFAH along with Boston developer Larry Curtis, of WinnDevelopment.

Participation in CEFAH is open to interested industry professionals – developers, owners, property management companies, etc. Persons wishing more information should contact NH&RA Associate Director Thom Amdur, 202-939-1753, tamdur@dworbell.com.