CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) and the Chicago Department of Environment (DOE), announced the reopening of registration for the Green Homes Chicago program.
Until February 27, homeowners who meet the income requirements can register their interest in this energy efficiency initiative by calling 311 or visiting chicago.gov/GreenHomes.
Mayor Johnson emphasized that “now is the time to take climate action that puts the experiences of Chicagoans at the forefront. Even as the federal government rolls back on climate policy, this city is moving forward with green buildings, green jobs, climate justice, and environmental resilience.
Green Homes Chicago, one of the largest city-led residential decarbonization programs in the United States, invests in the health and well-being of our residents for generations to come.”
Many older homes in Chicago suffer from heat and air leaks, as well as outdated and inefficient appliances. These deficiencies increase energy consumption and create additional financial pressure on families already facing multiple priority expenses.
Green Homes Chicago seeks to address this problem through comprehensive renovations of single-family and two-unit homes, offering significant energy cost savings, health and safety improvements, and greater resilience for participating households.
Lissette Castañeda, Commissioner of the Department of Housing, stated, “Green Homes Chicago is more than a housing initiative: it’s an equity, climate, and economic opportunity strategy.
With this program, we are deepening our commitment to making healthy, energy-efficient homes a reality for working families in Chicago, while creating new opportunities for clean energy contractors and workers.”
The DOH and DOE are working closely together to ensure that the interventions have a lasting impact, preserving the existing housing stock and making clean energy more accessible throughout the city.
Angela Tovar, Chicago’s Director of Sustainability and a DOE Commissioner, explained that “for many Chicago families, the upfront cost of energy efficiency upgrades is prohibitive, forcing them to shoulder high utility bills.
With Green Homes Chicago, the city is providing clean energy and essential repairs that lower energy costs, improve safety, and support families most impacted by these expenses.”
More than 60 homes from the first enrollment round have already received or are in the process of receiving renovations, which include insulation, high-efficiency appliances, heat pumps for cold climates, health and safety repairs, and other improvements. Homeowners are expected to see reductions in their bills and lower energy consumption.
Participants may also qualify for ComEd’s reduced electric heating rate. The company has allocated $1 million from its Whole Home Electric program to financially support residential electrification projects completed through Green Homes Chicago.
Melissa Washington, Vice President of Operations and Strategy at ComEd, highlighted that these technologies improve air quality, reduce costs and emissions, and create jobs in the areas that need them most.
In addition to the climate and health benefits, the program fosters sustainable economic opportunities by training local contractors, many of whom are minority-led, in the installation of high-efficiency systems. As the renovations expand, the clean energy workforce also grows in underserved neighborhoods.
Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate, emphasized that Green Homes Chicago is an important step toward a more sustainable and affordable energy future, helping working families reduce their expenses and promoting quality jobs in the clean economy.
Grant Gunnison, founder and CEO of Zero Homes, added that the initiative combines local partnerships with digital platforms so homeowners can easily access designs, quotes, and support to electrify their homes affordably, demonstrating climate equity in action.
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