Washington D.C. – The D.C. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to pass the Healthy Homes Act, trailblazing legislation that will provide free home upgrades with efficient electric appliances for 30,000 low- and moderate-income District households. These home electrification retrofits should save households between $200-600 a year in utility bills, with additional savings if combined with solar energy. 

The bill was introduced and spearheaded by Councilmember Charles Allen, and co-sponsored by seven other Councilmembers: Matthew Frumin, Brooke Pinto, Zachary Parker, Brianne Nadeau, Robert White, Vincent Gray, and Janeese Lewis George. The Healthy Homes Act also received vast community support, including from almost 40 organizations that signed a letter of support in September 2023. 

Naomi Cohen-Shields, D.C. Campaign Manager for CCAN Action Fund said:

“The Healthy Homes Act is a pivotal win in the fight for climate justice, and we thank the D.C. Council for passing this groundbreaking legislation. Low-income households, often among the most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change, will now be first in line to receive top-of-the-line electric home upgrades. This will mean cleaner indoor air and lower utility bills for those who need it most – but only if this vital new program gets the necessary funding. And that funding is very much at risk.” 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget raids over $25 million from the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF), which was the designated funding source for implementing the Healthy Homes Act. Climate advocates are urging D.C. Councilmembers to restore funds to the SETF to ensure that improved air quality and lower utility bill benefits will be actualized for vulnerable D.C. residents.  

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change in public policies at the local, state, and national level to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance our country’s leadership in the global movement toward clean energy solutions — focusing our efforts primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.