Energize - Multifamily Homes Program

The Energize – Multifamily Homes program provides services and County-managed installations in affordable housing apartments to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and resident comfort, and to lower energy costs. Both subsidized and unsubsidized (naturally occurring affordable) apartment buildings are encouraged to apply. This program is available to buildings located in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.

Applications are now open!

Applications will remain open until all funding is allocated.

Want to learn more? See our information session materials at the bottom of this page.

*To apply for this program, you must own or operate a multifamily apartment building serving low-income residents (see eligibility criteria below). If you are a tenant of an apartment building serving low-income residents and think your building may be a good candidate for this program, fill out our tenant referral form!

Applications are now open! All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. King County anticipates closing the application when all available funding has been allocated.

Questions? Email CPRG@KingCounty.gov

Note: Renters cannot apply on behalf of property owners or building managers. However, if you rent a unit in a building that may be eligible, please fill out this tenant referral form or email us your property manager’s email so we may contact them about this opportunity. Please email CPRG@kingcounty.gov.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Multifamily Homes Application

From Info Session 11.19.25

Question: Is this program open to new construction as well as existing buildings?
No, this program is only open to existing buildings. New construction is ineligible to receive program services.

Question: If a landlord has 5 single family rentals which needs upgrades, would that be eligible?
Answer: No. Single family homes are ineligible for the Energize – Multifamily Homes Program. To be eligible for program services, a building must be a multifamily residential building with 5 or more residential units that are within the same building envelope.
We encourage single family properties to explore our Energize – Single Family Homes program, which accepts applications for rental homes.

Question: Are there more upgrades available for unsubsidized housing than subsidized housing?
Answer: Yes, unsubsidized housing is able to access a wider variety of program services than subsidized housing, but we encourage subsidized housing to apply for eligible services.
The Energize – Multifamily homes program has 2 primary service tracks based on housing type:
1. Direct decarbonization retrofits, which include installations of electric heat pump space heaters and heat pump water heaters, along with weatherization and appliance decarbonization. These services are available to unsubsidized affordable housing providers only.
2. Energy efficiency and retrofit planning services, which include energy benchmarking and technical assistance to help develop decarbonization project plans and cost estimates. Those in this service track may also be eligible for the heat pump water heater rebate program. These services are available to both unsubsidized and subsidized housing.
All applicants will apply for services through a single form.

Question: Can we apply to the program for more than one multifamily building in our portfolio?
Answer: Yes. We encourage you to submit applications for all buildings of interest. King County intends to award no more than two building selections for program participation to a single housing provider. We encourage applicants to note at the end of their application if one of their submitted buildings is preferred for services.

Question: What counts as subsidized housing?
Answer: King County defines subsidized housing as any housing that utilizes government programs or subsidies to keep rents affordable. This includes the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Section 8 vouchers.

Question: Are subsidized housing owners eligible for heat pump water heater rebates?
Answer: Yes.

Question: How is the funding for these incentives distributed?
Answer: This is a direct service program operated and paid for by King County. This is not a grant program. Building owners are not expected to manage projects or pay contractors directly for retrofit services with the exception of heat pump water heater rebates. Building owners that wish to receive these rebates may need to arrange for heat pump water heater installations in order to secure these rebates. The method of distribution for this incentive feature is still being vetted internally.

Question: What is the cost coverage of this program?
Answer: This program intends to cover up to 100% of project costs outlined within each project scope. Cost coverage is for services that increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from a building. Services that may not be covered include window replacements, roof replacement, siding repair, and abatement services unless needed to complete the scope of work. If ineligible services are needed to execute the scope of work, King County will work with the building owner to source financing opportunities for this work.

Question: Is there a per project maximum?
Answer: Not currently. Once program buildings are selected, King County will assess individual sites and develop project scopes that align with program goals for full or near-full decarbonization of selected buildings. The program application pool has still not been selected, however, so the range of costs remains unknown. King County reserves the right to determine project maximums in alignment with program goals and available funding once the range of costs may be evaluated for the program as a whole.

Question: Can program buildings receive multiple services (e.g. energy benchmarking, a heat pump space heater, weatherization, and a heat pump water heater)?
Answer: Yes. King County will review each program building and develop a scope of work that may include multiple program services depending on eligibility, project goals, and program funding. All project scopes will be approved by the building owner prior to commencement of each project.

Question: Is priority given to unsubsidized property owners for program participation?
Answer: King County intends to evaluate each applicant independently against program criteria to determine participation. Direct decarbonization retrofit services are only available for unsubsidized properties. The Planning Services track targets serving at least 50% unsubsidized buildings, though this goal is flexible and depends on the pool of applications received and accepted to the program. Aside from this consideration, subsidized and unsubsidized owners will be evaluated equally for remaining services.

Question: If abatement is a requirement to complete the project scope, is that covered as part of the project costs? How will King County address unknown abatement needs uncovered during construction?
Answer: King County intends to assess project sites for potential abatement needs prior to construction and facilitate funding additions for abatement if necessary. Low-cost abatement needs may be covered by King County, but larger abatement projects may require outside funding sources.

Question: Does weatherization also include siding and roof replacement?
Answer: Weatherization may include replacement or repair of siding or roofing if necessary to complete the project scope. Large replacements and repairs are not covered under the weatherization portion of this program.

Question: Are whole-building appliance replacements covered under this program?
Answer: Yes. If the building has a centralized space or water heating system, that building may be eligible for retrofit if it meets other program criteria, with project scoping evaluating whether a centralized system or in-unit appliances will be more cost-efficient and energy-efficient. Additionally, if the building has gas appliances, including gas stoves or gas dryers, the project scope may recommend replacement of all units in the building. Electric units may also be replaced with more energy-efficient options if necessary to reduce energy burden for residents.