Portland Home Retrofits

Community Energy Project partners with a variety of funders to make energy-saving home improvements accessible to more Portland communities—at no cost to homeowners.

Investing in Community

Through the Portland Home Retrofits program, qualifying households can receive a free Home Energy Score and a customized plan to increase comfort, lower utility bills, and reduce their environmental impact.

Depending on funding and eligibility, households may qualify for a full home energy retrofit, which can include upgrades to insulation, heating and cooling systems, air sealing, and more. These improvements are designed to make homes healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient—particularly for those most impacted by rising energy costs.

Support for this work comes from multiple funding sources, a voter-approved initiative that creates local green jobs and funds energy efficiency improvements for Portland residents.

A community energy project partner examines the electrical wiring of a heat pump

How it Works

It all begins with a quick screening to determine eligibility and potential energy savings. If you qualify, our team will guide you through every step, from your first energy assessment to the final upgrades.

Call 971.544.8710 to get started

Income Qualifications Overview

    • Program Area: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro region (Clackamas, Clark, Columbia, Multnomah, Skamania, Washington, and Yamhill counties)

    • Income Limits Set By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
      (Effective as of April 1, 2025)

    • Based on household size and percent of Area Median Income (AMI)
      (2025 AMI for a family of four: $124,100)

    • General Income Categories:

      • 30% AMI (Extremely Low) – For example, up to $37,250 for a family of 4

      • 50% AMI (Very Low) – Up to $62,050 for a family of 4

      • 80% AMI (Low Income) – Up to $99,300 for a family of 4

    • Households with more than 4 people: Add approximately 8% per person to the 4-person income limit

    • Example Income Limits by Household Size:

      • 1 person: Up to $26,100 (30% AMI) → $86,870 (100% AMI)

      • 2 people: Up to $29,800 (30% AMI) → $99,280 (100% AMI)

      • 4 people: Up to $37,250 (30% AMI) → $124,100 (100% AMI)

    • Rent limits are based on a 30% housing cost burden standard

    • Example Rent Limits by Unit Size at 50% AMI:

      • Studio: $1,086/month

      • 1 Bedroom: $1,163/month

      • 2 Bedroom: $1,396/month

      • 3 Bedroom: $1,613/month

    • Higher AMI = Higher allowable rent (e.g., 80% AMI = higher rent cap)

    • Utility costs must be included in the total rent calculation

Income Qualifications PDF

Additional Resources

Ready to get started?

Contact our team at nick@communityenergyproject.org today or call 971-544-8710.