Energy Efficiency Assessment Program
🏛 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Jun 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for public housing authorities, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations in Illinois. Applicants must conduct energy efficiency assessments at residential properties serving low-income residents in federally or state-assisted housing programs. Eligible properties are single-family or duplex homes in environmental justice areas where residents receive public housing assistance, housing choice vouchers, rental assistance, or subsidized housing support.
Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 per assessment. Assessments must be performed by third-party consultants and measure current energy consumption and efficiency improvement opportunities. No cost sharing is required.
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Program description
Illinois EPA Office of Energy is offering funding to public housing authorities, units of local government (municipalities, counties, or townships), or nonprofit organizations to conduct energy efficiency assessments at eligible residential properties. An energy efficiency assessment is a written evaluation performed by a third-party consultant that measures current energy consumption and identifies building upgrades that can improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. Funding will be awarded for energy efficiency assessments at properties where residents participate in federal, state, or local public housing programs, housing choice vouchers, rental assistance, or subsidized housing assistance programs. The Energy Efficiency Assessment Program funds assessments to help public housing authorities, local governments, and nonprofits in Illinois reduce energy costs for properties serving housing assistance recipients. These assessments allow property managers to strategically plan upgrades that most benefit residents as funding becomes available. This award is funded from USDOE SEP Funds through IIJA. The awarded funds must be used to complete:
Energy efficiency assessments (minimum of $5,000 and maximum of $25,000) at single family or duplex residential properties located in an areas of environmental justice concern in the State of Illinois with residents participating in federal, state or local public housing programs, housing choice vouchers, rental assistance or subsidized housing assistance programs. Beneficiaries: N/A Federal Assistance Listing: 81.041 — State Energy Program. Administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 532-30-3369).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Affordable Housing Developer
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (OMB standard form)
- Project narrative describing assessment scope
- Consultant qualifications and credentials
- Property documentation and resident eligibility verification
- Budget and cost estimate
Program contact
- 👤 Rebecca Luke
- 📧 rebecca.j.luke@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.041 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$345,324,713
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$344,006,590
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$291,366,906
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$290,252,580
-
$173,318,260
-
$172,657,670
-
$159,021,883
-
$158,415,850
-
$131,952,374
-
$131,092,470
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $722.5M
- CA 3 awards $611.9M
- FL 2 awards $346.0M
- NY 2 awards $317.4M
- IL 2 awards $263.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $500,000 | |
| 2025 | $350,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public housing authorities, municipalities, counties, townships, and nonprofits in Illinois can apply. Applicants must conduct assessments at properties serving housing assistance recipients.
What properties are eligible?
Single-family and duplex residential properties in environmental justice areas of Illinois with residents in federal, state, or local public housing programs or receiving housing choice vouchers and rental assistance.
What must the funding be used for?
Funding must pay for energy efficiency assessments performed by third-party consultants. Assessments must measure current energy consumption and identify building upgrades.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant program.
When is the deadline and how much can we request?
The program has rolling deadlines. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 per assessment.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner with qualified third-party consultants early. Strong consultant credentials strengthen your application.
- Focus applications on properties in environmental justice areas. Alignment with EJ priorities increases competitiveness.
- Document resident demographics and housing assistance programs. Clear evidence of eligible populations is essential.
- Plan a strategy for how assessments will lead to future upgrades. Reviewers want to see long-term energy improvement goals.
- Submit early if possible. Rolling deadlines mean earlier submissions may face less competition.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting assessments for ineligible property types or non-EJ areas. Using in-house staff instead of third-party consultants. Failing to verify resident participation in qualifying housing assistance programs.
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