TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to take all actions necessary to create and administer a pilot program of workshops to promote Energy Efficient Mortgages among home buyers in Long Beach during calendar year 2018;
Increase appropriations in the Gas Fund (EF 301) in the Long Beach Gas and Oil Department (GO) by $40,000, offset by funds available; and
Increase appropriations in the Development Services Fund (EF 337) in the Development Services Department (DV) by $40,000, offset by a transfer of funds from the Long Beach Gas and Oil Department (GO). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
At its May 9, 2017 meeting, the City Council requested that the City Manager return with a report on how to promote and encourage the use of Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) and other home energy efficiency financing options. A status update was provided on July 27, 2017, and this letter proposes a pilot Residential Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Program to launch in 2018.
The City will partner with Long Beach-based, non-profit Green Education, Inc., to provide five workshops for home buyers in 2018. Marcia Tolentino, the lead on this program for Green Education, has extensive experience educating realtors about energy efficiency and has completed multiple transactions using energy efficient mortgages. The workshops will be held in various locations around the City, ensuring accessibility to all neighborhoods. The workshops are intended to educate home buyers about the benefits of an energy efficient home, how to use EEMs, and other financing, rebate, and incentive opportunities. City staff will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the pilot program. Workshop participants will complete surveys at each workshop and staff will follow up with them within one month to evaluate workshop effectiveness and track resulting emissions reductions.
The City will promote workshops through traditional and digital media, and Green Education will conduct in-person o...
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