Every year, National Weatherization Day shines a light on the simple but powerful ways we can make buildings more comfortable, efficient, and affordable to operate. Today, we’re celebrating by highlighting an impactful tool for protecting affordable housing: the Multifamily Weatherization program.
For landlords who provide affordable housing, aging buildings often mean rising maintenance costs, inefficient heating and cooling systems, and utility bills that strain finances for both property owner and tenants. The Multifamily Weatherization program was designed to address these challenges. It offers grants that help landlords invest in their buildings without passing those costs on to tenants.
Whether you’re a property manager or provider looking to reduce operating costs, or a renter curious about how your building might benefit, this program offers real, practical benefits.
What Is the Multifamily Weatherization Program?
The Office of Housing’s Multifamily Weatherization program provides energy efficiency grants to landlords of affordable housing buildings. These grants can cover up to ninety percent of the cost of qualifying improvements, making large upgrades possible for property owners who want to improve their buildings but worry about the cost.
The program covers a wide range of upgrades, including:
- Boilers, furnaces, water heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners
- Insulation for roofs, attics, walls, floors, ducts, and pipes
- Sealing drafts, also known as air sealing
- LED lighting
- Windows and doors
- Refrigerators
- Exhaust fans, make-up air units, and energy recovery ventilation
- Building controls
- Additional weatherization measures identified through an energy conservation review
These upgrades reduce the frequency of costly repairs, extend the life of major building systems, and help keep tenants comfortable throughout the year. For landlords, that translates into fewer unexpected maintenance expenses and lower tenant turnover. For renters, it means a more comfortable home and lower utility costs.
Support Every Step of the Way
One of the most helpful parts of this program is the support landlords receive at no cost. Office of Housing staff help property owners navigate each stage of the project, including:
- Assisting with tenant applications to qualify the property for the program
- Conducting an energy audit and providing a written report of findings
- Developing a scope of work with detailed technical specifications
- Providing contractor referrals and reviewing contractor bids
- Inspecting completed contractor work
- Offering tenant-facing guides on how to use new thermostats or building controls, translated into other languages as needed
To qualify, building owners must commit to keeping rents affordable for at least three years, and at least half of the building’s tenants must meet income qualifications. Eligible properties must also be located within the Seattle City Light service area.
Why Weatherization Matters for Seattle’s Affordable Housing
Weatherization Day is a reminder that keeping buildings efficient is not only about environmental responsibility. It is also about preserving the long-term viability of affordable housing across our city.
Seattle’s older multifamily buildings often carry outdated systems that drive up costs for everyone involved, from the landlords managing day-to-day operations to the renters paying monthly utility bills. By investing in weatherization, we help ensure that affordable housing stays affordable, not just in rent, but in the true cost of living there.
Get Involved
Do you think your property could benefit from the Multifamily Weatherization program? Reach out to the Office of Housing’s HomeWise team to learn more about eligibility and next steps. Together, we can keep Seattle’s affordable housing buildings efficient, comfortable, and sustainable for everyone who calls them home.
