Fitchburg Efficiency Navigator Program – Apply Now 

Are you a rental property owner interested in maintaining long-term housing affordability for your residents? Are you a resident living in an apartment where the energy bills are higher than expected?

The  City of Fitchburg is partnering with Sustain Dane and Elevate Energy to bring the Efficiency Navigator Program to Fitchburg.  The Efficiency Navigator Programs helps small to medium-sized apartment housing become more energy efficient through the installation of sustainable energy updates which reduces operating costs for owners and utility bills for residents in the city’s four Healthy Neighborhoods.

Building-owners complete an application to be considered for a no-cost energy assessment. The energy assessment report specifies recommended energy efficiency measures, estimated upgrade costs for each measure, and estimated utility bill savings and health/safety benefits.

Measures will be prioritized by impact across all buildings participating in energy assessments. The Fitchburg Common Council will review the prioritized list of measures and approve funding for selected measures and buildings. They will consider criteria such as greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy bill savings, health/safety improvements, and more. The Efficiency Navigator will work with property owners to complete implementation of the funded measures.

Submit an application as a property owner or recommend your building as a resident. Applications will be reviewed on a first come basis – apply now.

 Program Highlights 

• No cost energy assessment
• Team member assistance with each step
• Grant funding for measures approved by Council
• Coordination with contractor selection and scheduling
• Contractors paid directly by Sustain Dane for eligible measures

Priority Measures for Funding Consideration

• Attic air sealing and insulation
• Exterior wall insulation
• High efficiency HVAC systems including air source heat pumps
• New windows
• Lighting upgrades to LED and for outdoor environments
• ENERGYSTAR certified appliance replacements
• Solar
• Water conservation upgrades
• Water softener inspections, tune-ups, and replacements
• Fire suppression and safety support
• Health and safety improvements

Eligibility Criteria

• 2-16 units, renter-occupied
• Unsubsidized (buildings with Section 8 voucher holders are eligible)
• Must be located in the City of Fitchburg
• Properties located in one of the four Fitchburg Healthy Neighborhoods are prioritized- Verona Road West (Jamestown), Belmar/ Dunns Marsh, North Fish Hatchery Road, & Southdale.
• Properties where residents pay for gas and electric utilities are prioritized
• Properties are current on property tax payments and utilities
• Property owner commits to maintaining affordable rent at HUD Fair Market Rent Value for at least 5 years post-implementation (please see chart below or the HUD website)

HUD Fair Market Rent Value for 2026 (value adjusted annually by HUD to reflect inflation)

Additional Considerations

We strongly encourage applications from buildings located in the four Fitchburg Healthy Neighborhoods – Verona Road West (Jamestown), Belmar/Dunns Marsh, North Fish Hatchery Road, & Southdale. Also, we encourage all buildings where utility bills are a challenge for residents, and for those that house children, seniors, or otherwise vulnerable populations to apply.

Background

As identified in the 2019 Fitchburg Housing Plan, many of the city’s multi-family units were constructed prior to 1980 and lack energy efficient updates. These units have become the city’s NOAH (naturally occurring affordable housing) and the city wishes to participate in the Efficiency Navigator Program. The program provides sustainable and energy efficient updates, with a focus on the city’s 2 to 16 NOAH units, where the resident is at 80% or less of the county area median income. Funding is made possible through the closure of Tax Increment Finance Districts No. 4, 6 and 15. Which allowed the city to capitalize an Affordable Housing Fund. Sustain Dane and Elevate are the only groups who offer this type of program in the area. The cities of Middleton and Madison are both utilizing the Efficiency Navigator program as well. There are significant Focus on Energy and federal incentives now available to assist with the implement of energy efficiency measures. The Efficiency Navigator program helps property owners and contractors leverage these funds to achieve the most impactful results.