Participation & Eligibility Requirements

Eligible residents of the city of Portland, Oregon have the opportunity to become clients of the Energy Friendly Homes Program supported by funding from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). The program provides qualifying residents with funds for home energy retrofits to help reduce the amount of energy they use to heat and cool their homes.

Participation is not open to everyone; eligibility is based on income, occupancy, and home eligibility. The information submitted in the Application for Home Upgrade, as well as home site assessment(s), will be used to determine eligibility.

To determine eligibility, Energy Friendly Homes Program staff or partners will:

• Help clients complete an application, verify income, and sign a Participation Agreement.
• Schedule a 30-to 60-minute home walk-through to assess the home for minimum eligibility.
• If the walk-through deems the home ineligible or income verification deems the household income ineligible, the client will not be selected to participate in the program.
• Client Navigators may be available to support this process, including providing language services. For more information on Client Navigators, see: About us

The following contains a list of benefits enjoyed by clients of the Energy Friendly Homes Program.

• Home Energy Upgrades:
  Clients may receive energy efficiency upgrades to their home up to the maximum funding level in each program tier, paid directly to the contractor by the program. Upgrades may include, but are not limited to, heating and cooling upgrades and building envelope improvements such as air sealing and insulation. The amount paid is determined by income eligibility and the approved Scope of Work.
• Client Navigator:
  Clients may have access to a Client Navigator throughout the project, depending on program tier, needs, and availability. Client Navigators may be available to support with questions about program rules and processes, coordinating with contractors, and connecting clients with appropriate language support when needed.
• Home Energy Assessment:
  Clients will receive a home energy assessment conducted by the contractor, which will include a Scope of Work proposal for upgrades to be completed through the Energy Friendly Homes Program, as well as additional recommendations that may fall outside of the scope of the program.
• Support Line:
  Clients of the Energy Friendly Homes Program will have access to a local support program team that can answer questions and provide direct support. All inquiries will receive a response within one business day.
  • info@EnergyFriendlyHomes.com
  • 971.399.7742

All projects receiving funds through the Energy Friendly Homes Program will need to meet the following eligibility requirements.

All program home upgrades will be performed by a participating contractor. Requirements for Program Contractors can be found in the Contractor Handbook and Contractor Agreement.

For a list of the participating contractors, see Participating Contractors

• If the Application is accepted and the other qualification criteria are met, clients will receive notification that they have been selected to participate in the program and will be contacted by a participating contractor to schedule the home energy assessment.
• They will be matched with the first available Program Contractor or can choose a preferred contractor from the list of participating contractors. Choosing a preferred contractor may delay the project until the contractor has availability.
• Once a contractor is selected, clients enter into a separate agreement with the contractor to perform the work as outlined in a formal Scope of Work, approved by the Energy Friendly Homes Program Quality Assurance Provider.

• Property is a single-family home (four or fewer attached units) located within the city of Portland limits.
• The property cannot be subject to any existing outstanding construction liens or claims against the property.

• All homes will receive a home energy assessment. Based on that assessment, the contractor will prepare a proposed Scope of Work and submit it to the client and the Quality Assurance Provider for approval. Approval is based on eligible measures and installation checklists found on the Contractor Resources page.
• Eligible measures: Program-funded energy efficiency projects are limited to those listed as eligible or otherwise having received program approval as defined in the eligible measures, linked above.
• Measure prioritization: Project Scope of Work must prioritize measures expected to produce the greatest modeled utility bill and energy savings, given budget, home construction and conditions, and technology constraints.
• Minimum savings: Program-funded projects will be modeled to achieve a minimum of 10% modeled (or projected) energy savings using the program-approved modeling tool Snugg Pro. There is no guarantee of utility bill savings.

• For Tiers 1, 2, and 3, the client must be the homeowner of the property, reside in (occupy) the home, and be able to assume responsibility for home upgrades and enter into a contract with a participating contractor.
• Primary Occupant: Eligibility for PCEF programs is determined by the primary occupant (household) of the unit or building. The benefits of the investment flow to the primary occupant (household) of the unit and/or building.
• Income Eligibility: Income eligibility is determined by the total gross taxable income of all household members ages 18 or older who reside in the unit.
• Types of Homes & Units:
  • If there is more than one detached structure on the site, eligibility is determined by the primary occupant (household) for each structure.
  • If there is more than one unit in the building, eligibility is determined by the primary occupant (household) in each unit.
• Unoccupied Homes & Units: If the building or unit is unoccupied, eligibility will be determined by the income eligibility of the individual or household who will occupy the unit. If income verification for that occupant is not possible or available, the project is not eligible to participate in the program.

Client’s total annual household income falls into one of the following categories:

* Tiers 4 and 5 are not currently eligible and will be added in late 2026.

• Homeholds having income more than 150% of AMI do not qualify for participation in the program. 
• Clients are required to validate income to determine maximum funding eligibility per home. See current income thresholds here:
  https://www.portland.gov/phb/documents/2025-income-and-rent-limits-phb/download
• Funding is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to program budget caps in each eligibility tier.

• Household income is defined as the total gross taxable income of all members of the household who are 18 years or older.
• Household size is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau definition of family household, which is a householder with one or more other persons living in the same household who are related to the householder by birth, marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption.
  • A household may contain a single individual adult (householder).
  • A family household may contain people not related to the householder, but those people are not included as part of the householder’s family in census tabulations.
  • If the non-related adults are paying rent, the rent amounts should be included in the total household income.
• Documents cannot be older than one year from the date they are provided to the program for verification. If work is delayed more than one (1) year from the completed income verification for any reason, you will be asked to submit updated documentation as part of reassessing your eligibility for the program.
• SNAP and WIC (food assistance programs) do not count as income.

Client must provide one of the following documents to confirm income eligibility:

Tax Documents: Prior year tax returns, 1099 or W2 forms for all sources of household income for the prior year.

Self-employed Income: Prior year tax returns or profit and loss statement and all 1099s-, and third-party records of income such as rental property agreements and Uber, Lyft, and AirBnb statements.

Financial Aid: Documentation from school or institution

Unemployment Benefits: Benefit Letter

Social Security: Annual Award Letter from Social Security Administration

Disability Income: Annual Award Letter from Social Security Administration

Pensions, Annuities, Dividends, Interests: Passbook, dividend statement, or bank statement showing deposit

Veteran’s Benefits: Benefit Letter

Child Support: Check or bank account statement with supporting written statement from paying party or Court Order

Alimony: Check or bank account statement with supporting written statement from paying party or Court Order

Foster Parent Grants or Payments or Adoption Assistance: Benefit Letter or Court Order

Military Family Allotments: Payment or Letter from Agency

Work Study: Earning Statement

Workers Compensation or Strike Benefits: Payment or Benefit Letter

For Clients that fall within Tier 1 of the program, the program will accept documents showing current enrollment into any of the following programs. Documentation may include a printed or emailed letter of acceptance into the program (often referred to as “enrollment letter” or “benefits letter”) or current proof of enrollment. The documentation provided must be dated within the previous 12 months or show that enrollment in the program or receival of benefits is active on the day the document is verified by the Energy Friendly Homes Program.

• TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) also known as Food Stamps
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
• Oregon Head Start
• OHP (Oregon Health Plan) also known as Oregon’s Medicaid Program
• Portland Water Bureau Financial Assistance
• Portland Housing Bureau Home Repair Program
• Portland Housing Bureau Lead Hazard Control Grant Program
• Multnomah County Weatherization

Home will undergo a home energy assessment and a scope of work for qualifying home upgrades and will be approved by the client and the program. Qualifying scope of work will be determined by Energy Friendly Homes Program Eligible Measures, PCEF’s Installation Checklists, criteria and quality assurance review.

• Eligible measures: PCEF-funded energy efficiency projects must be listed as eligible or receive program approval.
• Measure prioritization: Project scope of work shall be designed to prioritize the measures that will produce the greatest utility bill and energy savings.
• Minimum savings: PCEF-funded projects shall achieve a minimum 10% modeled (or projected) energy savings; there is no guarantee of utility bill savings.

Up to 30% of project funds can be used for life, health, and safety upgrades necessary to enable energy efficiency improvements. When co-funding (funding from sources other than the program) exists, up to 50% of the program’s funding per project can be allocated to life, health, and safety upgrades.

Clients can self-co-fund or use other program funds to support home energy upgrades, including, but not limited to, Multnomah County, Oregon Department of Energy, or Energy Trust of Oregon funding.

Clients must identify co-funding for measures in the approved scope of work to ensure that estimated program funding does not surpass 100% of project costs.

Final co-funding amounts will be determined by the final approved contractor-provided invoice.

Clients of the Energy Friendly Homes Program are required to agree to the following list of responsibilities:

• Access to Residence: Program staff, partners, and contractors will need access to all areas of the residence to inspect current conditions and determine appropriate retrofits for the residence and complete the work. Additional post-installation inspections may be required to ensure proper installation or to verify energy savings.
• Non-discrimination: Clients need to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment for all contractors and program staff who support the project and to provide a workspace safe from environmental hazards. Clients will also comply with all applicable federal, state and City non-discrimination and civil rights laws and will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any protected class or characteristic including race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion or non-religion, disability, marital status, family status, or source of income.
• Hold Harmless: Clients will hold harmless the program, the City of Portland, Program Implementers, and their respective officers, employees, and representatives, from all claims, demands, suits, and actions for all losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including all attorneys’ fees and costs), resulting from or arising out of their own actions, errors, or omissions in connection with the program, including without limitation the use, placement, and/or modification of any tools, equipment, appliances, or supplies provided by or on behalf  of the program.
• Photo Release: Clients will allow Energy Friendly Homes Program staff or partners to take photos and videos of the residence throughout the course of the project to document compliance with program rules.
• Energy Information Release: Clients will be required to authorize representatives of the Energy Friendly Homes Program to access energy usage data gathered by their utility companies, including electric and natural gas accounts, and thermostat usage information at the address where the work is performed.
• Tax Liability: Clients are solely responsible for any tax liability associated with the benefits of program participation, including but not limited to home improvements. Participants should speak with a qualified independent tax professional to determine the potential tax implications before participating in this program.

Any information collected in the course of the project, including but not limited to the Application, assessments, and home energy upgrades may constitute a public record(s) under Oregon law.

All projects will be subject to the Energy Friendly Homes Terms and Conditions.