Affordable Housing Impact in California: A Year of Progress
For thousands of Californians, affordable housing means stability. In 2025, the Multifamily Energy Savings program helped make that stability stronger.
We’ve partnered with property teams, contractors and residents to improve over 56,000 number affordable resident units statewide, delivering measurable energy savings and cost reductions that will serve vulnerable populations for years to come.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings for California Property Owners
Affordable housing is more than a roof overhead, it’s about creating livable spaces that reduce costs and improve quality of life. To date, our program has invested more than $13,850,000 million in energy efficiency upgrades.
Participating properties experienced an average first-year bill saving of more than $4,600, along with electric and gas reductions equivalent to taking 2,700 gas-powered cars off the road for one year. Not only that, but it’s also helping cut carbon emissions by an estimated 11,600 metric tons of CO₂.
For property owners, these improvements mean lower operating costs and increased long-term value. For residents, they mean comfort, health, and affordability. Together, these outcomes create a ripple effect of benefits across California communities.
Real Results: Multifamily Affordable Housing Successes
One standout project this year was La Mirada Vistas, a 75-unit affordable housing community in La Mirada, California that partnered with the Multifamily Energy Savings program to achieve major efficiency upgrades. Common area and in-unit upgrades included new boilers that helped deliver more consistent hot water and heating throughout the building, as well as brighter lighting that made walkways safer and evening walks more accessible.
In total, the project received over $114,000 in incentives, with an estimated annual energy bill savings of nearly $15,600 all at no cost to residents. However, these upgrades didn’t just lower bills; they created safer, healthier, and more resilient homes for the older adults and people with disabilities who call La Mirada Vistas home.
Want to see more examples of impact? Explore our customer stories page.
It’s really rewarding to see the properties before they’ve received any treatment…and then go back to see all the new equipment once the project is complete.
— Drew Spindler, Energy Advisor
California Energy Savings Goals for 2026
Affordable housing programs like ours don’t just improve buildings; they support safe, dignified living. According to Marquelle Lee, Associate Director of Facilities at Christian Church Homes, “Doing these upgrades helps people feel they’re not forgotten.” By reducing energy costs and improving efficiency, families can stay in homes they can afford. It’s a win-win for communities and the environment.
We’re not stopping here. In 2026, our goal is to upgrade another 300 properties across California. We’re committed to helping property owners achieve efficiency targets and advancing California’s sustainability and climate goals.
Ready to improve resident comfort, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the life of your affordable housing property? The Multifamily Energy Savings program offers in-unit and common area upgrades as well as no-cost technical assistance for both deed-restricted and non-deed-restricted affordable housing properties.
Visit our Apply Now page to complete an interest form and find out if your property or individual units qualify.
