Research Question
Which types of groups face historic disinvestment, high energy burdens, and limited access to the clean economy? How can social programs serving Black, rural, and low-income households partner with trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) to ensure solutions align with real needs, strengthen local economies, and retain benefits within communities?
Key Findings
Black, Indigenous, rural, and low‐income households—including renters in older housing stock—experience historic disinvestment, elevated energy burdens, and constrained access to clean energy. Papers report energy burdens as high as 16.8% of income for low-income households (versus 3.5% for the general population).
Programs that combine renewable energy, weatherization, and bill assistance report energy burden reductions ranging from 10% to 91%. Successful initiatives frequently center on trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) that lead outreach and engagement efforts.
Most Affected Populations
- Black and African-American households
- Female-headed households
- Renters (especially in older housing)
- Indigenous and Native Hawaiian communities
- Rural populations
- Low-income families
Effective Strategies
1. Community-Based Outreach
Door-to-door and peer-to-peer methods build trust and increase participation
- Personal contact addresses information barriers
- Community members as educators leverage social networks
- Trusted messengers (faith-based, local leaders)
2. Flexible Funding and Policy
Block grants, on-bill tariffs, and alternative credit scoring
- CDBG and HOME grants for integrated upgrades
- On-bill financing removes upfront cost barriers
- Landlord incentives address split incentive problem
3. Integrated Health-Energy Approaches
Holistic interventions address both structural housing and energy use
- Address asthma triggers and energy efficiency together
- Combine home repairs with upgrades
- Support aging in place