CITY OF CHICAGO S MMRP ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

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1 Free Energy Efficiency Assessment on your home Grant Up To $5000 towards your home Easy way to add equity to property CITY OF CHICAGO S MMRP ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM DO YOU KNOW YOU COULD SAVE MORE ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS? Partners In Community Building, Inc. (PICB) is a HUD certified, non-profit agency that provides and foster safe, sanitary and affordable housing to low to moderate income individuals, families, and seniors, as well as related community focused financial, education and human services information. PICB has partnered with the City of Chicago and Elevate Energy to increase the neighborhood stabilization initiative program. While assisting in the stabilization program, we want to assure that the homes are energy efficient. STOP losing your money, Start Saving your money See How You Qualify PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY BUILDING, INC 4622 S. King Drive 2FL Chicago, IL Christina Bediako ex For more info ELEVATE use [email protected]

2 Smarter energy use use for for all all City of Chicago s MMRP Energy Efficiency Program The City of Chicago is pleased to partner with Elevate Energy to provide free energy assessments to homeowners in the city s 13 Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) Target Areas. These free assessments include an on-site review of the building and a report with practical, costeffective home improvements that increase comfort and reduce energy bills. In addition, income-qualified homeowners will have access to an MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of the home improvements. The most common energy efficiency improvements are attic insulation and air-sealing (sealing up the places where heated or cooled air leaves the home, or where outside air can get inside the home). To qualify for a free energy assessment: 1) Applicant must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located in an MMRP Target Area (see next page for maps). To qualify for an MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan: 1) Applicant must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located in an MMRP Target Area (see next page for maps). 2) Applicant must be current on City of Chicago property taxes, water bills, and parking tickets. 3) Applicant s household income must not exceed certain income limits (see next page for income table). A full service approach Elevate Energy has helped hundreds of homeowners improve their buildings and reduce high utility bills, with the important added benefits of strengthening communities and keeping housing affordable. COMMUNITY OUTREACH ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE FINANCING CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT Elevate Energy is your advocate through the entire process. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of energy efficiency. An Elevate Energy analyst will conduct a free assessment that usually lasts two hours. To receive the free assessment, you must own and live in a 1-4 unit building in an MMRP Target Area. The Elevate Energy analyst will review the assessment report with you and recommend practical, cost-effective improvements. At this point, you will need to decide to move forward with the improvements or not. If you choose to move forward, the Elevate Energy analyst will help you access financing options to pay approved contractors for the improvements. Options include available rebates, incentives and loans. The analyst will help income-qualified homeowners apply for an MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan. Elevate Energy will provide construction oversight and inspect the building once work is complete. Enjoy your newly energy efficient home!

3 S WABASH S MLK S MLK ELEVATE ENERGY Smarter energy use use for for all all To qualify for a free energy assessment: 1. Applicant must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located in an MMRP Target Area (see maps below). You can also visit ElevateEnergy.org/MMRP to see if your address falls within an MMRP Target Area. Auburn Gresham Austin Belmont Cragin - North / South Chatham Chicago Lawn East Garfield Park S LOMIS S RACINE W 76th S HALSTED N CENTRAL W CHICAGO N LONG W DIVERSEY Belmont Cragin - North W FULLERTON W 79th W 59th W LAKE N LARAMIE N CICERO S ADA W 79th W LAKE GRAND N LARAMIE Belmont Cragin - South W ARMITAGE W 83rd S CALIFORNIA S MAPLEWOOD S CENTRAL PARK S SACRAMENTO W 63rd I-290 Englewood S SANGAMON W 59th W 60th W 61st W 63rd W MARQUETTE S YALE Grand Boulevard E 46th E 51st North Pullman E 103rd E 106th E 108th S MARYLAND West Humboldt Park W AUGUSTA N CENTRAL PARK W CHICAGO N HOMAN W FRANKLIN N KEDZIE West Pullman W 115th W 119th S ASHLAND W 123rd S HALSTED West Woodlawn E 60th E 63rd E 65th Apply today: ElevateEnergy.org/MMRP or To qualify for an MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan: Applicant must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located in an MMRP Target Area (see above for maps). Applicant must be current on City of Chicago property taxes, water bills, and parking tickets. Applicant s household income must not exceed certain income limits (see income table below). Household Size Household Income Limit Household Size Household Income Limit 1 person $42,600 6 persons $70,550 2 persons $48,650 7 persons $75,400 3 persons $54,750 8 persons $80,300 4 persons 5 persons $60,800 $65,700 9 persons 10 persons $85,120 $89,984 Apply today: ElevateEnergy.org/MMRP or Homeowners located outside MMRP areas may qualify for other efficiency programs provided by Elevate Energy. Contact us at

4 Smarter energy use for all City of Chicago MMRP Energy Efficiency Program Frequently Asked Questions What is the City of Chicago s Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP)? The Micro Market Recovery Program is a neighborhood stabilization initiative targeting small geographic areas that are experiencing high foreclosure rates. The MMRP Energy Efficiency Program aims to help homeowners cut the cost of homeownership and avoid foreclosure by lowering utility bills and simultaneously improving the comfort of their homes. What is the MMRP Energy Efficiency Program? Elevate Energy will provide a limited number of free energy assessments to homeowners in the city s 13 MMRP Target Areas. These free assessments include an on-site review of the building and a report with practical, cost-effective home improvement recommendations. In addition, after receiving the free assessment, a limited number of income-qualified homeowners will have access to an Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of the recommended upgrades. How do I apply? Applications can be completed online at ElevateEnergy.org/MMRP or over the phone at Is there an application deadline? No. Completed applications are accepted until funding has been exhausted. Visit ElevateEnergy.org/MMRP or call for available funding status. Do I have to pay a fee to apply for the MMRP Energy Efficiency Program? No. There are no fees related to this program. If anyone tells you that you have to pay a fee to participate, call 311 and report them. Who is eligible to apply for the free MMRP Energy Assessment? To qualify for a limited number of free energy assessments, applicants must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located within an MMRP Target Area (see program information sheet for boundaries). If you do not qualify for the free energy assessment, contact Elevate Energy to discuss other energy efficiency options. Can someone who owns a 2-flat in an MMRP Target Area but lives elsewhere apply for the program? No. The MMRP Energy Efficiency Program is available to owner-occupants of the property where the work is being done. Owners of investment properties can contact Elevate Energy to discuss other energy efficiency options. Can I get a free assessment even though I know I won t qualify for the forgivable loan? If you own and live in a 1-4 unit building within an MMRP target area, you qualify for a free energy assessment until funds are exhausted. If you receive a free assessment but don t qualify for the forgivable loan, there may be other ways to pay for the energy efficiency improvements. Contact Elevate Energy for assistance. How does a forgivable loan work? A lien is placed upon your property for a period of 48 months starting with the disbursement of the funds. There is no interest on the forgivable loan, and 1/48th of the loan amount will be forgiven for each month that the loan remains outstanding. If you remain in the home for this period, the loan is released and you will owe nothing. If you decide to sell or refinance your home within the next 48 months in order to take any cash equity out, then the remainder of the forgivable loan must be repaid. FAQs continue on next page

5 Smarter energy use for all City of Chicago MMRP Energy Efficiency Program Frequently Asked Questions Why use a forgivable loan and not a grant? A forgivable loan with a 48-month term ensures that homeowners who are committed to staying in their community receive the assistance. Who is eligible to apply for the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan? To qualify for the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan, applicants must own and live in a 1-4 unit building located within an MMRP Target Area (see program flyer for boundaries). They must also be current on City of Chicago property taxes, water bills, and parking tickets, and the applicant s household income must not exceed certain limits (see program flyer for income limits). Can I apply for a forgivable loan if I am delinquent on water bills, property taxes, or parking tickets? No. Homeowners in arrears with the City of Chicago are ineligible. If you know you are in arrears but believe you otherwise qualify, bring the issue to Elevate Energy s attention immediately so they can help you get on a payment plan and improve your eligibility for the forgivable loan. How much money is available through the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan? Income-qualified homeowners will have access to a forgivable loan of up to $5,000. What work can be done with the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan? The forgivable loan can only be used for the home improvements recommended by Elevate Energy after conducting an energy assessment of your home. Can any contractor make the improvements paid for by the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan? No. All work performed with forgivable loan funds must be performed by a licensed and insured (General Liability and Workers Compensation) contractor participating in the MMRP Energy Efficiency Program. Contact Elevate Energy for a list of approved contractors. Are previous recipients of an MMRP loan eligible for the energy efficiency program? Yes, although you will need to re-apply for the forgivable loan so NHS can verify your household income and verify that you don t owe money to the City of Chicago. Can applicants qualify for the MMRP Energy Efficiency Forgivable Loan if they don t have property insurance? No. All Forgivable Loan recipients must carry current home insurance before work can begin. If I need or if I want to do more work, where can I go to get a loan? The City selected Neighborhood Lending Services (NLS) to administer this Forgivable Loan program because NLS also offers affordable fixed-rate home improvement loans for homeowners in Chicago. These loans can be used to do additional work and other home improvements. NLS loans are available throughout Chicago, so even if your home is not located in an MMRP Target Area, you can still apply for a loan. Apply for a loan by calling NLS at My cousin is a contractor. How can she become one of Elevate Energy s approved contractors for this program? Contact Elevate Energy to discuss the requirements.