Low-Income Multifamily Energy Loan Program
Administered by Capital For Change Inc.
The LIME Loan Program helps owners of low-income multifamily buildings (5+ units with at least 60% affordable units) finance energy improvements like solar, heat pumps, windows, and HVAC systems, with loan repayment terms up to 20 years structured around energy cost savings. Up to 25% of loan proceeds may also cover related structural or health/safety improvements. Contact Capital for Change directly to discuss your property's eligibility and financing options.
You can serve multifamily properties seeking energy upgrades through this program: buildings must have 5+ units with at least 60% designated affordable (≤80% AMI), and improvements must be in a lender-approved scope of work covering efficiency and renewable technologies. Properties with HUD, CHFA, or FHA financing, those in low/moderate-income areas, or transit-oriented developments receive preferred consideration; loans support acquisition, bridge, construction/rehab, or permanent financing structures.
LIME is jointly managed by Connecticut Green Bank and Capital for Change to provide unsecured multifamily energy loans repaid from savings, available for 5+ unit buildings where ≥60% of units serve households at ≤80% AMI. Loans support energy efficiency and renewable projects plus up to 25% for non-energy improvements if sufficient savings justify costs; priority goes to HUD/CHFA/FHA-financed properties, low/moderate-income geographies, and transit-oriented developments. Terms range up to 20 years; contact Capital for Change's commercial lending team (Carla Weil or Courtney Brunelle) for applications and underwriting.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22045
- Last updated
- 8/5/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- multifamily residential
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics geothermal heat pumps water heaters furnaces boilers heat pumps air conditioners windows
Program summary
The Low-Income Multifamily Energy (LIME) Loan supports energy improvement projects for low- and moderate-income properties. Connecticut Green Bank has partnered with Capital for Change (C4C) to provide unsecured multifamily energy financing for owners seeking to improve the energy performance, economics, and health and safety of their properties. Loans are repaid from energy cost savings for terms up to 20 years. Loans may be for acquisition, bridge funding, construction/rehabilitation financing, or permanent terms.
The LIME loan can be used for:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements as provided in a lender-approved scope of work
- Up to 25% of loan proceeds may be used for non-energy efficiency improvements (structural, health/safety, etc.), provided there are sufficient savings to carry the costs
Eligibility
The program is open to multifamily properties that are partnerships, trusts, LLCs, sole proprietors, public housing authorities, non-profits, condo/co-op associations, etc. Buildings must be 5 units or more, and at least 60% of units must be designated affordable to households at no greater than 80% of Area Median Income.
Preferred consideration is given to “high impact” properties such as:
- HUD-financed properties, including housing authorities
- CHFA-financed and FHA-insured developments
- Properties in low- or moderate-income geographies
- Transit-oriented development complexes
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- cbradley@capitalforchange.org
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
