The Solar-for-Vouchers Program has wrapped up, resulting in new housing units for 30 Minnesota families. In partnership with CERTs, the Metropolitan Council’s pilot program set out in the fall of 2020 to help address the demand for affordable housing and sustainability in the metro.
Focusing on multifamily housing, the program provided cost-free, technical assistance to owners of rental properties looking to install solar panels and reduce energy costs. In exchange, the property owners agreed to designate a number of market rate rental units for families that participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
“Our state is in a housing crisis. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach so that every family has a roof over their heads,” said Peter Lindstrom, CERTs Public Sector & Community Engagement Manager and a Metropolitan Council Board Member. “By incentivizing landlords to accept vouchers, the Solar-for-Voucher program approaches the housing crisis head-on and helps make our region more sustainable and resilient.”
