Services will include blower door tests to measure air that leaks out of the home; installation of a data monitoring system to measure the climate inside the home and determine the impact that repairs have on monthly energy bills; and replacement of HVAC units, doors, insulation, and energy efficient lightbulbs. The program will focus on low-income households in the Eastside neighborhood then expand city-wide.

Now that the grant has been awarded, the City of Jacksonville’s Housing and Community Development Division will finalize the program criteria, which must be passed by the Jacksonville City Council. Upon passage, the City will announce how households can participate in the program. JEA will manage the energy audits and weatherization repairs for households that are selected to participate.

“It is a top priority of my administration to bring our tax dollars home through more federal grants. This energy efficiency award is yet another exciting step towards that goal,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “I want to thank the Biden Administration for their Investing in America agenda, which continues to invest in Jacksonville.”

“We are proud to partner with the City of Jacksonville on this critical federal grant that will improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions and reduce overall energy use in targeted neighborhoods in the heart of Jacksonville,” said JEA Managing Director and CEO Jay Stowe. “This partnership also will help residents remain in their homes by improving housing conditions and creating healthier living environments.”

“One of the many benefits of this effort is that we can pair energy efficiency repairs with additional home rehabilitation programs,” said City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Chief Travis Jeffrey. “As we weatherize homes and conduct energy audits, we can also replace roofs and provide eligible home repairs, so the work is completed all at once.”

“One of our strategies to address Jacksonville’s affordable housing crisis is to keep people in their existing homes,” said City of Jacksonville Affordable Housing Director Joshua Hicks. “Doing so will preserve generational wealth and keep homes in the hands of community members, instead of out-of-town investors.”