News Story

Providence, RI – RIHousing, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and Rhode Island Energy (RIE) today announced the extension of the 2023 Zero Energy for the Ocean State (ZEOS) Program. The extension will allow additional developers to submit proposals for a competitive round of funding for grants of up to $500,000 to design and construct affordable, energy efficient housing for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders. Applicants will now have until 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2023, to submit a proposal.

The deadline extension will allow additional time to raise awareness and encourage participation in the ZEOS Program to stimulate innovative, replicable solutions that utilize cost saving and clean energy technologies in homes. Qualified teams are encouraged to submit proposals to design and construct affordable, energy efficient Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs).

ZEBs utilize technologies such as solar, air-source heat pumps and encourage use of systems to reduce energy consumption during peak demand to reach zero net energy consumption. The total amount of energy used by ZEBs annually is less than or equal to the renewable energy created on site.

Established in 2019, the ZEOS Program has supported the development of 186 Net Zero housing units in Rhode Island. In its most recent round of funding, three projects in Tiverton, Providence, and East Greenwich received funding to produce homes with innovative designs for several income levels.

This program is the result of a public-private partnership between RIHousing, OER, and RIE to stimulate innovative, replicable solutions that utilize cost saving and clean energy technologies in homes. Program partners are seeking proposals from qualified teams to design and construct affordable, energy efficient Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) that use technologies such as solar, air-source heat pumps and encourage use of systems to reduce energy consumption during peak demand.

The extended Request for Proposals will be publicly posted on the RIHousing website www.rihousing.com/rfps-rfqs on May 30, 2023. Eligible units may be new construction and/or renovation projects in 1-4-unit properties or larger multifamily homes. The ZEOS grant award will be limited to $17,000 per unit for 1-4-unit properties and $7,000 per unit for larger multifamily developments. Buildings must meet ZEB standards and participate in RIE’s Residential New Construction Program. The total award cannot exceed $250,000 for any individual project. Previously funded ZEOS projects are not eligible for this grant.

The program leverages multiple sources of funding, including a $250,000 grant from RIHousing, $250,000 in state Renewable Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proceeds, and available utility-administered incentives. Individual organizations or teams composed of a lead organization and partner organizations are welcome to apply. Individual homeowners are not eligible to receive direct funding under this grant. Complete details on the program and RFP can be found online at: www.rihousing.com/rfps-rfqs.