| NM Energy$avers Program for Single-family
Purpose
MFA's Energy$avers Program was created in October 2007 to facilitate the distribution of one million dollars appropriated by Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2007 legislative session for the purpose of funding energy efficiency improvements for low-to-moderate income households around the state. The purpose of the Energy$avers Program is to provide below-market interest rate loans for energy efficiency improvements, including alternative energy upgrades, to new single-family and multi-family housing development projects and to projects involving the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing rental and for-sale housing throughout the state.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, governmental housing agencies, regional housing authorities, governmental entities, governmental instrumentalities, tribal governments, tribal housing agencies, builders, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures, syndicates, associations, or other entities that can assume contractual liability and legal responsibility by executing one or more written agreements entered into with MFA.
Eligible Activities
Energy$avers Program funds may be used to assist in financing activities that improve the energy efficiency of affordable housing, including new construction and acquisition and rehabilitation of single-family and multi-family units. Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to, the improvement of energy efficiency for the new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of for sale single-family homes (including manufactured housing), permanent rental housing, or housing for special needs populations.
Eligible Expenses
For the purposes of the Energy$avers Program, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority defines energy efficiency improvements as any measures taken in the construction or rehabilitation of housing units that will result in reduced energy consumption and thus utility costs in the home, including the production of alternative energy for use in the home. Energy$avers Program financing must be used only for costs that are directly attributable and traceable to energy efficiency improvements that are affixed to real property for affordable housing projects statewide. Such costs may include but are not limited to: 1) Energy Efficient Site Design; 2) Energy Efficient Building Envelope; 3) Energy Efficient Systems; 4) Use of Renewable Energies. Specifications for each eligible expense within these four categories are provided in MFA's Energy Efficiency Guidelines (Appendix A).
Selection Criteria
To qualify for Energy$avers Program funds, proposals must incorporate one or more energy efficiency improvements into the project, meeting or exceeding minimum standards provided in MFA's Energy Efficiency Guidelines (Appendix A) for all eligible expenses. If a project plans to become certified through one of several national or state green building or energy efficiency programs, that project will automatically qualify for Energy$avers Program financing, provided there is sufficient documentation of the intent to gain certification, followed by third-party verification of certification upon project completion. Examples of eligible certification programs include but are not limited to:
- Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating by a certified Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) provider, documenting energy efficiency that exceeds that of the American Standard New Home;
- Enterprise Foundation's “Green Communities” Criteria;
- U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes;
- Central New Mexico Homebuilders Association's “Build Green New Mexico.”
Minimum levels of certification are specified in MFA's Energy Efficiency Guidelines (see Appendix A).
Application Submission Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis, as long as funds are available. Complete applications must be received at the MFA office to be considered. Applications will NOT be accepted electronically or via facsimile. All applications shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “New Mexico Energy$avers Program Application” in readily visible print. All applications must include an application fee of $50.
Applicants must deliver one (1) original and one (1) complete copy of the application to Lisa Gavioli Roach, New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.
Contact Person Applicants are encouraged to direct questions regarding the New Mexico Energy$avers Program Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) and Funding Application Guidelines to:
Dan Foster
New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority
344 4th Street SW
Albuquerque , NM 87102
Phone: (505) 767-2273 or toll-free statewide (800) 444-6880
Fax: (505) 242-2766
E-mail: dfoster@housingnm.org |
