Welcome to HDC’s Sustainability Update for December 2025.

As the year draws to a close we reflect on this past year with gratitude for the broad cross-section of HDC members that participate in sustainable building efforts across the our affordable housing ecosystem. In the past year we have significantly increased awareness and are underway with new projects that will provide broad impact throughout our community. 2026 is promising more exciting programming to grow readiness for decarbonization, integrate improved technologies and materials, along with enhancing opportunities for new construction at a faster pace!

Our 2026 Sustainable Buildings Initiative activation includes greater direct engagement with you! To that end, you may now subscribe to future Sustainable Buildings Initiative emails through our email subscription form.

Funding Opportunities

• Washington Department of Commerce has released a Combined RFA supporting Clean Buildings Portfolio Standards. Due March 4, 2026, with a funding period from May 2026 – June 2027, four categories of projects to support CBPS compliance are rolled into this single RFA in the following amounts:
  • Clean Building Performance Grants ($4.8 million)
  • Energy Audits for Public Buildings ($12.2 million)
  • Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grants ($10.6 million)
  • State Project Improvement Grants ($4.8 million)
• Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program has opened its Round 2 funding opportunity offering at least $19.4 million to increase electric vehicle charging in Washington. APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO December 30, 2025.
• Visit the Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive Program to learn how multifamily buildings over 20,000 square feet can qualify for financial incentives to support compliance with Washington’s Clean Building Performance Standard.
• King County’s Energize – Multifamily Homes Program is now open for application; submissions are encouraged before January 23, 2026. This program is available to multifamily apartment buildings in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties for both subsidized and non-subsidized properties serving income-qualified residents.

Technical Assistance

• The BEACON Fellows team is available to assist with your WA Clean Buildings Performance Standards compliance needs. These highly-trained Fellows are available to assess your current needs and support progress to the next steps. From compliance education, to benchmarking, to site visits and everything in between – these fellows are a free resource available to assist!!
• The City of Bellevue is helping large buildings (20,000+ sf) to reduce energy use, save on costs, and comply with WA State Clean Buildings Law. Free building energy services include energy benchmarking, scoping assessments, incentive navigation, and compliance reporting support – an estimated $18,000 value.  Plus, Free Training Webinars: WA Clean Buildings Law Compliance
• Visit the CBPS Helpdesk website for a free consultation to support your Washington State Clean Building Performance Standard compliance requirements.

Education Events & Sign Ups

• Our first Sustainability Preservation Choices Learn at Lunch of 2026 is scheduled for January 15, 2026. This presentation will share updated details for clean and healthy flooring materials that are available to replace current toxic flooring. Register today!
• Sign up to receive regular updates from Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment to stay aware of deadlines, tools and featured opportunities.

Updates

• HDC DAHN 2025 Learn at Lunch Series Resources. Check this link to access all eight of our Learn at Lunch sessions covering a variety of funding and technical assistance programs along with valuable strategic information for planning of your sustainability projects. The link above provides brief overviews along with access to YouTube video replays, slide presentations and resource links.
• Washington State Department of Commerce has established a Qualified Contractor Network to identify professionals available to help expand opportunities for practitioners and tools for building owners/operators.
• Draft rule update for electric storage water heaters is now open for public comment. Written comments are due by January 7, 2026. A virtual public hearing will be held at 3pm on January 7.

Sustainability Updates are a robust topic area that is always evolving. We look forward to improving this feature based upon the feedback of our members. As always, please feel free to reach out directly via email, we welcome your feedback!