The Proposed HIP Grant RFP attempts to create a program that seeks innovative and scalable approaches to reduce energy use in existing residential buildings. The requirement that these innovations be applied to affordable housing units or units occupied by low income households makes sense as that aligns with DHCD’s mission. However, the RFP itself could be narrowed in focus and improved in the following ways:

1. Narrow the eligible organizations or require that non-housing provider applicants submit a joint application with a housing or other nonprofit organization who owns and/or manages the affordable housing to be retrofitted (or has an existing single family housing program). This will improve the chance that the intended housing unit(s) are identified as part of the application, and that at least one of the organizations is familiar with housing and grant requirements. 
2. Clarify the income guidelines – it is unclear from the description how to determine whether a multifamily building is eligible. Would a 4% or 9% LIHTC project be eligible? Or only buildings with 100% units at or below 80% AMI?
3. If the Uniform Relocation Act requirements apply, can the grant funding be used to support the associated relocation costs?
4. LEAP submitted a comment regarding the 50% energy cost savings goal being too ambitious and suggested 20%. I would concur. There does seem to be come conflation between energy unit savings and energy cost savings. Perhaps this goal could offer two alternatives to meet the expectations.
5. Solar and Wind are identified as ineligible, but that precludes the idea that there may be some innovations within those approaches worth considering.
6. Hazardous material abatement was identified as ineligible – however, in many communities with older housing stock this could be a burden on the grant recipient if lead is included here as hazardous material.