HUD Announces $10M grant for environmental renovations at Moss Hill Apartments
SALISBURY, Md. -U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs Ethan Handelman and Regional Administrator Matthew Heckles (Region III) awarded Vitus Development with a $10 million award made to Moss Hill Partners, LLP, by HUD through its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) for energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations at Moss Hill Townhouses.
The funding is part of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, and aims to help bring units up to a higher standard of compliance, and future proof against future climate challenges including higher temperatures, flooding, and rising energy costs.
“this aims for a major change in how safe the property is and how energy efficient it is,” Handelman said adding “it’s designed to make properties assisted by our rental assistance safer to live in more energy efficient.”
The announcement comes after the units lost their HUD verification in 2022 and were forced to be sold to the soon-to-be new owners VITUS.
Upgrades are set to include new insulation in the buildings, new windows, heating and cooling systems, conversion of gas to electric stoves, new appliances, and more energy-efficient paneling.
However, residents who did not wish to be identified tell 47ABC the current state of the units has them more concerned than the prospect of upgrades, citing water damage and fears of black mold in units.
Similar concerns were raised by residents 47ABC spoke with in 2023 when the sale of VITUS was announced.
Vitus however tells 47ABC they are committed to doing right by the units, and say they plan to do qualify of life repairs in addition to the upgrades outlined within the grants.
“We’re hoping to close this year and once we do close, we plan on renovating all of the units, doing full kitchen upgrades, bathroom upgrades, as well as energy-efficient upgrades,’ said Director of Asset Production Kimberly Brown, adding “We absolutely will be certifying our tenants so that they receive a subsidy from the government and pay their portion of rents.”
HUD says that the money comes with verification and accountability attached to it and that protecting low-income families often hit hardest, by rising temperatures and costs, is a priority.
“When a new owner comes in, like is happening here at this property, we make sure that they’re in good standing with us and can meet the program requirements and we check over time that they’re doing it,” Handelman said.
Neither HUD nor Vitus were able to provide a timeline for the renovations, citing a need for the sale of Moss Hill to VITUS to be finalized.
