04/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2026 11:53
New Program Provides Support for Cost-effective Energy Efficiency and Electrification Improvements in Residential Buildings
Serves as a One-Stop Shop To Enhance Building Performance, Deliver Utility Bill Savings and Improve Quality of Life
Builds On Governor Hochul's Recent Commitment of Up To $150 million To Support Energy-Efficient Heat Pumps for Homeowners and Small Buildings Across the State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $125 million is available to upgrade affordable multifamily housing in upstate New York. The State's new Affordable Multifamily Program Upstate (AMP Up) provides support for a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency and electrification improvements in these residential buildings and serves as a one-stop shop to enhance building performance, deliver utility bill savings, and improve comfort and quality of life for New Yorkers.
"The launch of this new program marks a significant step forward in how New York delivers clean energy solutions to low-to-moderate income communities while prioritizing affordability," Governor Hochul said. "Today, we are making it easier to implement critical building upgrades and improve the living experience for families and residents in upstate multifamily buildings."
The Affordable Multifamily Program Upstate (AMP Up), administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides incentives for a wide range of projects in multifamily buildings, including simple upgrades like energy efficient appliances, air sealing and insulation to more substantive upgrades such as window replacements, heating system upgrades, and comprehensive modernization efforts. Owners of existing multifamily buildings north of Con Edison's service area that contain five or more households, and in which at least 25% of households earn at or below 80% of area or state median income, whichever is higher, are eligible to apply. Find additional information about the program, incentive levels, and how to access and submit an application.
Additionally, AMP Up includes funding for resilience enhancements for projects facing climate change hazards to help protect New Yorkers from flooding and extreme heat as part of a first-of-its-kind resiliency pilot. The program also provides a complimentary concierge service that guides owners through the project from planning through construction and commissioning. The concierge service includes application assistance, building assessments, project scoping, funding guidance, construction monitoring, and project close-out.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "AMP Up is designed to meet building owners and residents where they are by offering flexible incentives that scale with the ambition of each project. Through an efficiency-first approach and a complimentary concierge service that provides assistance from assessment to completion, NYSERDA is reducing barriers to lowering energy costs and helping upstate multifamily buildings make lasting clean energy improvements."
Building owners can partner with participating contractors to assist with program applications and guide projects through implementation. The participating contractor is responsible for submitting the application and all required documentation, and confirming that program minimum requirements are met.
To learn more about the new program, NYSERDA will host an informational webinar on April 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "New York is committed to solutions that result in housing that is more affordable and more sustainable for the future. The AMP Up program demonstrates that commitment by investing $125 million to make it easier for building owners to prioritize energy-efficiency and resiliency upgrades in affordable developments. Mitigating the effects of rising energy costs is not a luxury reserved for only market-rate housing. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her focus on ensuring all households have sustainable homes that they can afford. We also thank NYSERDA for your partnership in combating climate change."
New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian said, "Supporting the decarbonization of New York State's buildings and addressing energy affordability for our most vulnerable residents are co-equal priorities for the Commission, as evidenced by the $5 billion authorized through the Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Portfolio in 2025, which supports the AMP Up program and beyond. Affordable multifamily housing has historically been a hard-to-reach market segment, with barriers to energy efficient upgrades that range from access to capital for building owners, to a lack of technical support for improving the energy performance of these buildings. Today's program announcement by Governor Hochul and NYSERDA advances the State's efforts to preserve affordable housing, reduce energy consumption and costs for building owners and tenants, and improve the overall living environment for these vibrant communities thousands of New Yorkers call home."
"The launch of this new program marks a significant step forward in how New York delivers clean energy solutions to low-to-moderate income communities while prioritizing affordability"
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "As we seek to lower the cost of rising utility bills across Upstate New York, the AMP Up program will help ensure that we're targeting every part of our building stock, and that should begin in part with Upstate New York's multi-family homes. Across my district, residents of rural communities often struggle to afford and make costly energy efficient upgrades to their homes, often multi-generational properties. This program will allow seniors and families who may otherwise not be able to afford it, to make critical upgrades that will ultimately save them money in the future. I commend Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for stepping up to address this unaddressed need and encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply as soon as they can."
State Senator Kevin Parker said, "This investment is about delivering real relief to families by creating lower energy bills, safer and more comfortable homes, and healthier living conditions for communities that need it most. For too long, too many New Yorkers in affordable housing have faced high utility costs and outdated building systems, and this program directly addresses those challenges. I am proud that my longstanding advocacy for clean energy equity and expanded access to state resources has helped lay the groundwork for initiatives like AMP Up. These kinds of targeted investments are exactly what our communities need, support that is both economically impactful and environmentally responsible. This program underscores our commitment to making sure no New Yorker is left behind in the transition to a cleaner, more affordable energy future."
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "Affordability is a critical issue for households across the board, including those in multifamily housing. While much of the conversation focuses on rent, utility costs can be just as burdensome and are often overlooked. The Affordable Multifamily Program for upstate communities will help modernize energy systems in these buildings, improving efficiency and providing another meaningful way to reduce overall living costs."
Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "Our building sector is the largest contributor to emissions in New York, making the decarbonization of existing multifamily housing of all kinds critical as we work towards a clean energy economy. The newly established AMP Up program will serve as a one-stop shop for affordable, multifamily buildings in upstate New York - providing much needed energy efficiency, resiliency, and technical support funding to reduce emissions, lower utility costs, and improve comfort."
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, "AMP Up is a smart investment in our housing and our communities, helping building owners make needed upgrades that lower costs for residents while improving long-term resilience. It's a practical approach that will make a real difference for families across the Capital Region."
City of Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs said, "Programs like AMP Up are the kind of investment we need to support residents and strengthen our housing stock at the same time. Upgrading affordable multifamily housing with energy-efficient systems helps lower utility costs, improve living conditions, and make buildings safer and more resilient for the people who call them home. I appreciate the State's commitment to providing resources that help property owners make these improvements in a practical and cost-effective way. In Albany, we know that housing quality and affordability go hand in hand. Investments like this help ensure that residents can live in homes that are not only affordable, but also efficient, reliable, and built to meet the needs of today and the future."
Rural Housing Coalition Executive Director Mike Borges said, "The Rural Housing Coalition is pleased to partner with NYSERDA on this new initiative to reduce energy usage and costs for affordable housing providers in rural areas of the state. We applaud the Governor's continued efforts to address both climate change and energy costs in a comprehensive way."
Good Carbon Co. Energy and Sustainability Manager Talal El Danaf said, "AMP Up represents a meaningful shift in how building decarbonization is approached; moving from fragmented incentives to a more integrated pathway. By simplifying the process and aligning technical support with clear, prescriptive solutions, NYSERDA is making it significantly easier for affordable housing providers to plan, finance, and execute electrification projects at scale."
Greenologists LLC Owner Peggy Gans said,"Greenologists and our clients eagerly anticipate the launch of NYSERDA's new multifamily program. We have seen owners and developers increasingly focus their capital improvement planning on building electrification and energy conservation. We are confident that NYSERDA's AMP Up program will provide the assistance needed to make energy-efficiency goals a reality. We are proud to be providers in the NYSERDA network and look forward to assisting our clients in achieving their energy efficiency and electrification goals."
NYSERDA's AMP Up program replaces the utility-administered Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (AMEEP) and is now the sole ratepayer-funded affordable multifamily program serving Upstate New York. AMEEP will remain open to downstate customers.
Buildings are one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. Through NYSERDA and utility programs, more than $5.6 billion has been invested to decarbonize buildings and support high-efficiency all-electric heating and cooling technologies.
Funding for this program is provided through the New York State Public Service Commission's 2025 Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Order, which funds statewide market development programs from 2026 through 2030.
Today's announcement builds on the Governor's commitment to provide up to $150 million in supplemental funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Green Small Buildings Program, which supports the installation of energy-efficient heat pump systems in small residential buildings across New York State - helping to expand access to clean heating and cooling technologies, while reducing emissions and improving affordability for homeowners and renters.
New York State's Climate Agenda
New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.