Multi-Family Weatherization Program

§  What is the goal of the MFWx Program?

§  If we’ve previously received a grant from EOC, can we apply for another one?

§  Is it a good idea to research other programs?
 

General Applicant Questions

§  Are newly constructed buildings eligible to apply?

§  Are application deadline extensions available?

§  Are electronic signatures acceptable?



Previous Weatherization

§  Are refrigerator updates considered weatherization services?

§  If we’ve previously received a grant from EOC, can we apply for another one?

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Property Information

§  In the Property Name field, which is required, owner or manager?

§  If ownership is a sole member llc, is a property owner letter still required?

§  If the applying organization is a subsidiary of another organization, do we need a letter of
         support from the parent organization?

§  Where a “copy of the lease” is requested, is this the actual tenant's lease?

§  What is required when a property has vacant units? 

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HUD Lists

§  What is the purpose of the HUD lists?

§  Does being on the HUD list mean you don’t need further tenant income information?

§  If the property is listed on the HUD lists, is the MF Unit Information still required?

§  If the property is not on the HUD lists, what documentation should we submit?

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Multi-Family Unit Information Table

§  What is the purpose of the Multi-Family Unit Information Table?

§  Do we need to provide information on all residents at the time of application, even for
         those who do not income qualify?

§  Is giving tenant names and income information a violation of privacy?

§  If the property is listed on the HUD lists, is the MF Unit Information still required?

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Income Affidavits

§  What is the purpose of the Income Affidavits?

§  Do we need a signed copy of the income affidavit from each resident?

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Utility Information

§  What is the purpose of the Utility Data Table?

§  Is it ok to use the counties' Utility Averages as used for section 8?

§  What course of action can be taken when Utility Service Providers will not provide utility
         data?

§  Who should sign the Confidentiality Waiver -- Housing Provider or Tenants?

§  If we complete the Utility Data Table, do we also need to upload utility bills?

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Health & Safety Documentation

§  In regard to Lead-Based Paint documentation, is it required if a building was constructed in
         1978?

§  If a property has not had any Health & Safety issues, how do we indicate that issues are not
         applicable?

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Inspections

§  Should building owners initiate inspections prior to EOC’s energy audit, or wait for EOC
         recommendations?

§  Is it a good idea to upload our annual HUD inspection forms 

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Financial Documentation

§  In the case of large financial documentation, what is the best way to upload forms?

§  What if current audit information is not available?

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MFWx Program Costs

§  What costs are the building owners’ responsibilities?

§  What percentage of funds matching will be required of this program?

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Project Selection

§  How are projects selected?

§  Are properties chosen based on size and financial position?

§  If a property is not selected, is it ok to resubmit the same application in the following year?

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Multi-Family Weatherization – Questions Answered

What is the goal of the MFWx Program?

§  The goal of the Multi-Family Weatherization Program is to relieve the
        overall energy burden to the end payer.

 

If we’ve previously received a grant from EOC, can we apply for another one?

§  Yes.  Funding is not guaranteed but projects will be evaluated based on
        the level of funding available, the source of funding available and the
        scope of the project.  Buildings that were previously weatherized using
        federal funding are less likely to receive funds in general.
 

Is it a good idea to research other programs?

§  Yes. Apply with everyone. The EECBG (Energy Efficiency Community
        Block Grant) program offers referrals per city and per county.
 

Return to Multi-Family Weatherization Program questions

Are newly constructed building eligible to apply?

§  No. EOC’s MFWx program only funds existing buildings. Property
        owners can contact local city/county CDBG coordinator to see if they
        have funds available for new buildings.

 

Are application deadline extensions available?

§  No. We cannot offer extensions to any applicants.

 

Are electronic signatures acceptable?

§  No. Forms need to be downloaded, printed and signed by hand, then
        uploaded as specified within the required documents section
        of the application.
 

Return to General Applicant Questions

Are refrigerator updates considered weatherization services?

§  Yes. One of the energy efficiency measures that we evaluate in this
        program is the replacement of refrigerators with a more energy
        efficient appliance (one that uses less KWH per year).  Therefore, the
        replacement of refrigerators is considered to be a weatherization.  

If we’ve previously received a grant from EOC, can we apply for another one?

§  Yes.  Funding is not guaranteed but projects will be evaluated based on
        the level of funding available, the source of funding available and the
        scope of the project.  Buildings that were previously weatherized using
        federal funding are less likely to receive funds in general.

Return to Previous Weatherization questions

 


In the Property Name field, which is required, owner or manager? 

§  List applicant information (manager?) in the Property Name field
       and specify ownership details in the Property Description details.




If ownership is a sole member LLC, is a property owner letter still required?

  §  No. Ownership letters are only required for purposes of determining
        financial responsibility.

 


If the applying organization is a subsidiary of another organization, do we need a letter of support from the parent organization?

§  Yes. A letter of support is required because the owner needs to be
        aware of and agreeable to the improvements (changes) to their
        building.  Additionally, there is usually some type of contribution
        required when participating in this program.  If there is not a cash
        contribution, there is at least an in-kind contribution.  As such, the
        owner needs to be aware of and agreeable to that as well.

Return to Property Information questions

Where a “copy of the lease” is requested, is this the actual tenant's lease?

       §  Yes.

What is required when a property has vacant units?

§  Wait until the last day for application submission to finalize the tenant
        income form. In the event the units are leased to income qualified
        tenants, the allowable funds for your property may potentially
        increase.  At the time of application use VACANT for all of the un-  
        leased units.

Return to Property Information questions

What is the purpose of the HUD lists?

§  The HUD list indicates that a property is verified to have at least a
        66% tenant population that is considered low income.

Does being on the HUD list mean you don’t need further tenant income information?

§  No. Being on the HUD list verifies that your property is at least 66%
       low income. EOC’s goal is to serve 100% of your property’s low
       income residents. In order to do this, an accurate account of eligible
       tenants is necessary.

If the property is listed on the HUD lists, is the MF Unit Information still required?

§  Yes.

If the property is not on the HUD lists, what documentation should be submitted?

§  For income verification, there are lists of eligible documentation, such
       as W-2s, paycheck stubs, SSI documentation, LEAP notification etc.,
       found in the Income Qualification Information section of the      
       application.

Return to HUD Lists questions

What is the purpose of the Multi-Family Unit Information Table?

§  The Multi Family Unit Information Table is used to determine the
        percentage of income eligible tenants residing at your property. This is
        a necessary component of grant funding amounts. It also helps us verify
        that we are serving those in direct need such as the elderly, the
        disabled, and families with children under age 5.

Do we need to provide information on all residents at the time of application, even those who do not income qualify?

§  Yes. In order for your property to be eligible at least 66% of your
        resident must be eligible.

Is giving tenant names and income information a violation of privacy?

§  When completing this table, we prefer not to have First names.
        Residents should be listed by Last Name or as Tenant 1, Tenant 2 etc.
        This information is required by the state, is used to verify eligibility
        and is never shared with any outside agency.

If the property is listed on the HUD lists, is the MF Unit Information still required?

§  Yes.

Return to Multi-Family Unit Information Table questions

What is the purpose of the Income Affidavits?

§  There are two income affidavits. The Affidavit of Income should be
        signed by the housing provider confirming that the income listed in the
        Multi-Family Unit Information Table is true and accurate to the best of
        their knowledge; The Affidavit of income and Household Members
        must be signed by the tenant in the event there is no other
        documentation to support income.

Do we need a signed copy of the income affidavit from each resident?

§  No. The Affidavit of Income and Household Members is only required
       of tenants for whom you have no other documentation of income.

Return to Income Affidavits questions

What is the purpose of the Utility Data Table?

§  The Utility Data table is used to track the annual cost of energy
        consumption. EOC will evaluate your property's energy consumption
        based on a $/square foot ratio to determine your property’s need for
        weatherization.

Is it ok to use the county's utility averages as used for Section 8?

§  No. This data may cause an artificially low usage total which will
       affect scoring.

What course of action can be taken when utility service providers will not provide utility data?

§  Explain the purpose of the request in detail. Ask for the attention of a
       supervisor.

Return to Utility Information questions

Who should sign the confidentiality waiver -- Housing Provider or Tenants?

§  The person to whom the utility company has assigned the account
        number should sign the waiver. If the property is master-metered the
        housing provider will need to complete and sign this agreement for
        each account number associated with the meter(s). If the property is
        individually metered, a signed copy of this agreement will be
        requested of each resident being billed individually.

If we complete the utility data table, do we also need to upload utility bills?

§  Yes. Utility bills are used by energy auditors to determine the total
        amount of a property’s energy usage.

Return to Utility Information questions

In regard to Lead-Based Paint documentation, is it required if a building was constructed in 1978 or after?

§  No. The use of lead-based paint was banned in 1977.

 


If a property has not had any Health & Safety issues, how do we indicate that issues are not applicable?

§  Select NO in the section of the application that asks if these hazards
       have been found. No further documentation will be required.

Return to Health & Safety Documentation questions

Should building owners initiate inspections prior to EOC’s energy audit, or wait for EOC recommendations?

§  Wait. If the project is denied or deferred, building owners can save
        themselves these costs.

Is it a good idea to upload our annual HUD inspection forms? 

§  Yes. You are encouraged to upload all current inspections.

Return to Inspections questions

In the case of large financial documentation, what is the best way to upload forms?

§  There is an upload size restriction; only general audit information is
        required. This includes P&L, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and
        management letter when applicable.

What if current audit information is not available?

§  Use the previous year’s audited financials and note the status of the
       current year’s financials within the application.

Return to Financial Documentation questions

What costs are the building owners’ responsibilities?

§  Building owners are responsible for the Health & Safety Inspection
       costs, and may be required to contribute a percentage to the overall
       costs of weatherization services.

What percentage of funds matching will be required of this program? 

§  GEO is requiring 50% on heating, windows and refrigerators. EOC
       may submit waivers for non-profit organizations and housing
       authorities. If a property is selected for an audit, the audit report will
       detail how the federal funds can be spent. The cost of the project and
       required contribution will be determined after the audit is complete.

Return to MFWx Program Costs questions

How are projects selected?

§  Final rankings will be a result of how one property compares to all the
       other applicants in the current open application cycle. EOC uses an
       objective, third-party statistician to run the property data through a
       scoring model to determine final rankings.

Are properties chosen based on size and financial position? 

§  No. EOC uses a federally approved engineering model for scoring and
       recommendation.

If a property is not selected, is it ok to resubmit the same application in the following year? 

§  Yes, except in cases where the applicant was denied. Be sure to use
       current tenant and financial information.

Return to Project Selection questions