Resources

Sept. 2023

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Report: Prioritizing Justice in New York State Climate Policy: Cleaner Air for Disadvantaged Communities?

As a result of historically unjust systems and policies, the neighborhoods where low-income communities and communities of color live, work, learn, and play are often sites for or affected by polluting infrastructure, vehicle congestion, and other environmental hazards. Racist systems and policies along with economic discrimination continue to diminish the health and quality of life of communities of color and low-income communities and make them more at risk to other hazards like climate change. As fossil fuel consumption and pollution have increased exponentially over the past century, not only has the climate change outlook worsened, but vulnerable communities have also disproportionally suffered injury, disease, death, displacement, and loss of property because of these same trends…

Sept. 2023

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Report: PowerUp NYC

In spring of 2023, the Adams Administration published its first strategic climate plan—PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done, the fifth iteration in New York City (NYC) history. PlaNYC lays out ambitious city-wide climate targets and initiatives to achieve a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future as we do our part to fight climate change. PowerUp NYC (PowerUp)—NYC’s first ever Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP)—establishes a roadmap for how we will accomplish PlaNYC’s clean energy and decarbonization goals and go even farther in three key sectors: the Energy Grid and Community Energy Systems, Buildings, and Transportation.

Mar. 2023

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Official Comments: Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Consider a Clean Energy Fund; In the Matter of a Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Initiative

Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3), the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD), and the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB) are grateful for the opportunity to submit the following comments regarding the New Efficiency New York (NENY) Interim Report. Together, our organizations utilize our expertise in New York's affordable housing industry and its Environmental Justice movement to direct outreach for the Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (AMEEP) in the downstate region. Our collaborative efforts have already supported over 19,000 affordable housing units across New York City with securing incentives for energy efficiency work.

2023

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Report: Philanthropy’s Role in Equitable Decarbonization in the Affordable Housing Sector

The JPB Foundation (JPB) contracted Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3) to identify the existing and emerging programs, policies, and funding opportunities at the intersection of affordable housing and decarbonization. This effort aimed to shed light on under-resourced areas.

2023

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Report: Out of Gas, In With Justice Studying the Impacts of Induction Stoves on Indoor Air Quality in Affordable Housing

New York’s landmark climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed in 2019 commits New York State to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040, which means electric buildings and appliances will be powered by renewable energy. This transition makes residential electrification a viable and necessary step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously improving indoor and outdoor air quality for some of our most vulnerable populations.

Oct. 2023

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Press Announcement: Kinetic Communities Applauds the Biden Administration to on its Guidance on the Low Income Communities Bonus Credit Program

We write to express our support for the recently released Low-Income Solar Credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which would allocate tax credits for clean energy facilities placed in low-income communities.

Aug. 2022

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Report: Elevating Local Ecosystems Through Inclusive Workforce Pathways

New York's clean energy economy continues to drive job growth as the local lawmakers take an aggressive stance in fighting climate change. New York State (NYS) has taken a stand through the State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and New York City's Climate Mobilization Act (CMA). Historically, prosperity in New York City (NYC) is not shared equitably. Low-income New Yorkers and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) are often the first to experience economic disinvestment, climate disasters, and environmental degradation while being the ones who are least likely to cause them (Islam and Winkel 2018).

Sept. 2023

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Report: Using Partnerships to Drive Energy Efficiency and Preserve Affordability

New York City (NYC) has two significant commitments that impact building owners: to build or preserve 300,000 units of affordable housing over 10 years and to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This paper explores how the NYC Retrofit Accelerator, Community Retrofit NYC, and GHPP rely on strategic partnerships to overcome the barriers of market pressure and funding access that prevent scaling energy efficiency projects in affordable housing. Two case studies demonstrate the importance of these partnerships.

2023

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HPD Design Guidelines For Preservation: Moderate Rehabilitation

The HPD Design Guidelines for Preservation is a policy document establishing a minimum design standard that ensures that all HPD projects can meet NYC’s ambitious climate goals and laws while incorporating best practices for resiliency, health, and safety. Within the document, “Requirements” are mandatory; “Reach” indicates a preference or recommendation. Projects are encouraged, but not required, to achieve “Reach” criteria to the extent feasible. 

2023

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HPD Design Guidelines For Preservation: Substantial Rehabilitation, Gut Rehabilitation

The HPD Design Guidelines for Preservation is a policy document establishing a minimum design standard that ensures that all HPD projects can meet NYC’s ambitious climate goals and laws while incorporating best practices for resiliency, health, and safety. Within the document, “Requirements” are mandatory; “Reach” indicates a preference or recommendation. Projects are encouraged, but not required, to achieve “Reach” criteria to the extent feasible.

2023

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Field Research Report: An Equity and Carbon Database for Multifamily Housing Resident Priorities

Our goal was to learn from residents who are underrepresented in policy work, energy efficiency work, and program design teams. Future Housing aims to center resident voices and experiences in the initiative. The research team asked residents to teach us what matters to them.

2023

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Case Study: AMEEP Non-Comprehensive Pathway

The Non-Comprehensive Pathway is available for affordable multifamily property owners interested in completing smaller projects that do not reach 100 points or do not want technical assistance.

June, 2022

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Case Study: Successfully Hiring New Employees with Support from NYSERDA

NYSERDA’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) program is designed to help energy efficiency and clean technology businesses find skilled job candidates, provide training to help new employees reach productivity more quickly, and reduce the financial burdens of hiring and onboarding.