City staff: ACEEE technical assistance awarded for renter energy-equity work; Sustain Evanston program launches with grants for covered buildings
March 09, 2026 | Evanston, Cook County, Illinois
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City staff gave updates March 6 on two items that affect building outreach and available support under Evanston's Healthy Buildings work.
Staff announced the city was awarded technical assistance from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for a project called "Energy Equity for Renters." A staff member said the city applied with help from Kristen White and Connections for the Homeless and that Connections will be awarded $10,000 to cover staff time and incentives for renter surveys. The kickoff is scheduled in March, with a first round of renter surveys planned for early summer and analysis and follow-up slated for the fall as part of a roughly 12-month project timeline.
Separately, staff described the city’s Sustain Evanston program launch: grants of up to $25,000 are available for commercial building upgrades and electrification measures in Healthy Buildings-covered commercial spaces. Staff stated the program budget is $250,000 with additional city contributions putting this year's total around $300,000, and asked media and the public to contact staff for precise allocations.
Staff also noted the city’s website has a new portal for board agendas and the Healthy Buildings ordinance and asked members to report dead links to staff. The portal will host the rulebook and agenda materials going forward to make it easier for board members and the public to find materials.
Quotes
- Staff member: "Connections for the Homeless will be awarded $10,000 to help cover their time and also incentives" (on the ACEEE technical assistance award).
- Staff member: "If you just Google sustain evanston, you should get there." (on locating program materials and the new portal.)
Next steps: Staff will share kickoff and survey schedules when finalized, coordinate with Connections for the Homeless on survey administration, and provide detailed Sustain Evanston budget numbers to press on request.
Staff announced the city was awarded technical assistance from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for a project called "Energy Equity for Renters." A staff member said the city applied with help from Kristen White and Connections for the Homeless and that Connections will be awarded $10,000 to cover staff time and incentives for renter surveys. The kickoff is scheduled in March, with a first round of renter surveys planned for early summer and analysis and follow-up slated for the fall as part of a roughly 12-month project timeline.
Separately, staff described the city’s Sustain Evanston program launch: grants of up to $25,000 are available for commercial building upgrades and electrification measures in Healthy Buildings-covered commercial spaces. Staff stated the program budget is $250,000 with additional city contributions putting this year's total around $300,000, and asked media and the public to contact staff for precise allocations.
Staff also noted the city’s website has a new portal for board agendas and the Healthy Buildings ordinance and asked members to report dead links to staff. The portal will host the rulebook and agenda materials going forward to make it easier for board members and the public to find materials.
Quotes
- Staff member: "Connections for the Homeless will be awarded $10,000 to help cover their time and also incentives" (on the ACEEE technical assistance award).
- Staff member: "If you just Google sustain evanston, you should get there." (on locating program materials and the new portal.)
Next steps: Staff will share kickoff and survey schedules when finalized, coordinate with Connections for the Homeless on survey administration, and provide detailed Sustain Evanston budget numbers to press on request.
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