Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) are announcing that applications are now open for the new Rental Energy Microgrant (REM) Program, which offers $2,000 grants to support energy-efficiency upgrades in local rental housing. The program will provide funding for up to 25 rental units citywide. Applications are open now through December 6, 2025.

Funded through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the REM Program aims to strengthen Somerville’s rental housing stock by incentivizing small landlords to complete energy-efficiency and decarbonization projects. The program is designed to complement existing Mass Save incentives and make it easier for property owners to pursue improvements that benefit both landlords and renters.

“Somerville is committed to increasing energy efficiency in every home, including the many rental units that make our community vibrant and accessible,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “This program provides an extra boost for landlords making green upgrades — a win for property owners, a win for tenants, and a win for our climate goals.”

Benefits of participating include:

Because tenants often pay utility costs directly, rental units can lag behind owner-occupied homes in pursuing energy improvements — even with strong state incentives. The REM Program helps close that gap by offering supplemental funding for eligible projects in small multifamily buildings (2–4 units).

To receive a microgrant, projects must meet program eligibility requirements, submit all required documentation, and be completed by November 2, 2026.

Property owners can review full program details and apply online at somervillema.gov/R2NZ. For questions or assistance, contact OSE staff at ose@somervillema.gov or 857-270-4965.