Energy Trust of Oregon’s EPS New Homes supports trade allies by listening to builders to understand the challenges they face. This allows us to tailor programs, incentives, and technical support to meet their needs to deliver homes that are both affordable and high performing

To explore these challenges firsthand, EPS New Homes recently convened a small group of builders for an ad hoc meeting called the . The session brought together builders working in a range of affordability models, from grant‑funded and income‑restricted housing to market‑rate homes designed to remain accessible to first‑time buyers. Through open dialogue, several common themes emerged:

• Builders discussed the upfront costs of higher‑efficiency systems and the difficulty of communicating long‑term value to buyers.
• Others shared the complexities of stacking incentives with grants and other funding sources.
• Specific design challenges were also top-of-mind, including fitting heat pump water heaters into smaller homes or installing them in homes without garages—a common condition in the region.
• Many builders also noted the limited availability of true market‑rate affordable housing.

Affordable, Rural, and/or Tribal Bonus Incentive
To address financial challenges that come with building affordable, high-preforming homes, EPS New Homes offers an affordable, rural, and/or tribal bonus incentive. Homes that meet affordable, rural, and/or tribal criteria can earn up to $1,550 in addition to standard whole-home energy use incentives. To qualify as affordable, a home must be sold or listed as less than or equal to $448,732 or have an income restriction for buyers.

Interested in building affordable, highly efficient homes? Contact our trade ally coordinator for more details on how to qualify for bonus incentives.