DOE, HUD team with lenders to finance energy retrofit pilot program

Eighteen national, regional, and local lenders will participate in a new two-year pilot program sponsored by DOE and HUD that will offer qualified borrowers low-cost loans to make energy-saving improvements to their homes. Backed by the FHA, the PowerSaver loans will offer owners up to $25,000 for upgrades like insulation, duct sealing, and replacement doors and windows.

"We believe the market is right for a low-cost financing option for families who want energy-saving technologies in their home," said Secretary Donovan. "PowerSaver hits on all cylinders by helping credit-worthy homeowners finance these upgrades, cut their energy bills and boost the local job market in the process. While FHA and these lenders are jumpstarting this pilot, we hope its success will lead to a growing private sector interest in making these types of loans."

Secretary Chu said, "Today, we are breaking down barriers and making energy efficiency more accessible and more affordable. It's the right thing to do for our environment, for our economy and for the pocketbooks of American families."

The remodeling industry cites surveys that point to a growing demand among homeowners interested in making their homes energy efficient. Yet options are still limited for financing home energy improvements, especially for the many homeowners who are unable to take out a home equity loan or access an affordable consumer loan. Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is estimated to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades though higher market demand may increase this impact. According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.

Participating lenders are largely selected based on their commitment to work in partnership with established home energy retrofit programs provided by states, cities, utilities and home performance contractors. These markets include, but are not limited to areas of the country participating in the Energy Department's Better Building Program.

PowerSaver loans will be backed by the FHA but require these lenders to have significant "skin in the game." FHA mortgage insurance will cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount in the event of default. Lenders will retain the remaining risk on each loan, incentivizing responsible underwriting and lending standards.

PowerSaver has been carefully designed to meet a need in the marketplace for borrowers who have the ability and motivation to take on modest additional debt to realize the savings over time from home energy improvements. PowerSaver loans are only available to borrowers with good credit, manageable debt and at least some equity in their home (maximum 100% combined loan-to-value).

HUD developed PowerSaver as part of the Recovery Through Retrofit initiative launched in May 2009 by Vice President Biden's Middle Class Task Force to develop federal actions that would expand green job opportunities in the United States and boost energy savings by improving home energy efficiency. The announcement is part of an interagency effort including 11 departments and agencies and six White House offices.

FHA PowerSaver Approved Lenders

• Admirals Bank
• AFC First Financial Corporation
• Bank of Colorado
• City of Boise, Idaho
• Energy Finance Solutions
• Enterprise Cascadia
• HomeStreet Bank
• Neighbor's Financial Corporation
• Paramount Equity Mortgage, Inc.
• Quicken Loans
• SOFCU Community Credit Union
• Stonegate Mortgage Corporation
• Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc.
• The Bank at Broadmoor
• University of Virginia Community Credit Union, Inc.
• Viewtech Financial Services, Inc.
• WinTrust Mortgage
• W. J. Bradley Mortgage Capital Corporation

For more, visit: http://www.energy.gov/news/10292.htm.