For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Office of Grants Management, has awarded $1.5 million to four community organizations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Healthy, Efficient, Electrified, Climate-Adapted Pilot (HEECAP) Homes Grants Program.
The program awarded funding to the following organizations:
These grants will support the organizations in developing and testing new strategies to help income‑eligible residents:
- Create healthier indoor living environments.
- Improve home energy efficiency.
- Transition to all‑electric home systems.
The program also advances racial equity and social justice by strengthening and safeguarding housing for vulnerable residents.
The selected organizations were chosen for their innovative approaches to helping low- to moderate-income residents adapt to climate impacts through pilot initiatives that have the potential to scale into larger County programs.
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“These grants empower trusted community partners to help households in need prepare for a changing climate while improving daily quality of life,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The innovative approaches funded through HEECAP will inform future County programs and expand access to cleaner, safer, and more affordable home energy systems.”
Launched in 2024, HEECAP provides grant funding for pre-weatherization, electrification, and climate-adaptation projects in low- to moderate-income residences. Through these efforts, the program is designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve resident health, and reduce household energy costs.
“The HEECAP program represents a major step forward in our efforts to support residents most affected by the impacts of climate change,” said DEP Director Jennifer Macedonia. “By investing in pilot initiatives that strengthen home efficiency, health, and resilience, we’re building a foundation for long-term, community-centered climate solutions.”
Summary of Awardees and Projects:
The program includes electrification and climate adaptation in 32 housing units for individuals with severe autism and developmental disabilities. Aging fossil-fuel systems will be transitioned to high-efficiency electric systems, including heat pumps, cooling, ranges, and water heaters. This project enhances indoor air quality, reduces energy burdens, and ensures climate resilience for a vulnerable population, serving as a pilot for a scalable model for integrating disability services with the County’s climate goals.
The Energy Equity Initiative (EEI) is designed to fill the gaps of program funding for critical home repairs and climate resiliency services and to connect low- to moderate-income households with important tools to adapt to the changing climate. The EEI program will address the unique needs and challenges faced by underserved populations in transitioning to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. It will feature a holistic approach to these needs through a combination of retrofits, critical health and safety home repairs, and community outreach efforts. The new program will empower residents to transition to clean, efficient, and resilient energy systems while improving their overall quality of life.
Serving one of the County’s oldest African American communities, the program addresses gaps in existing assistance by combining electrification, indoor health remediation, and climate adaptation upgrades targeted to low- to moderate-income homeowners in and around Prathertown, located in the Gaithersburg area. These efforts provide bundled, code‑compliant retrofits, resident training, and support navigating state and federal rebate programs, helping households remain safely in their homes and avoid displacement.
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The goal of this program is to electrify home appliances and heating for approximately 33 low- to moderate-income households in the County, while increasing awareness of energy‑efficiency programs and strengthening community engagement among Limited English Proficient residents.
In April, DEP announced new federal and state support for HEECAP. United States Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Rep. Jamie Raskin secured federal HEECAP funding through Congressionally Directed Spending (Senate) and Community Project Funding (House). In addition, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development) awarded $500,000 to DEP through the FY2026 State Revitalization Programs. This funding addresses a significant need, as many income-eligible homes in the County are deferred from Maryland’s weatherization programs due to health and safety concerns. HEECAP will help repair these homes, enabling residents to access available efficiency and weatherization services, reduce energy burdens, improve indoor air quality, and prevent home deterioration.
For more information about energy efficiency and assistance programs available to County residents, visit the HEECAP website, call 301-7-ENERGY, or email energy@montgomerycountymd.gov.
To learn more about additional County grant opportunities, visit the OGM Grants Application Platform.
Visit the DEP Flickr page to view photos from the HEECAP program.
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Media Contact: Cindy Peña, celinda.pena@montgomerycountymd.gov
Read the original article at mcdep