As a collaboration between USAID and Habitat for Humanity, REELIH (Residential Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Households) aims to provide residents with renovation loans to improve energy efficiency. Because multi-apartment buildings were privatized in the 1990s, with ownership transferred from the state to residents, maintenance has largely been deferred, meaning energy efficiency is a major issue across Central and Eastern Europe).
In Armenia, ten buildings have been partially retrofitted, benefitting 1,500 residents. Due to the success of REELIH, the Yerevan Municipality has committed to co-financing retrofits on another 900 units. The main ongoing aims of REELIH in Armenia include eliciting investments for energy efficiency, mitigating the impact of rising energy prices on low-income families, develop sustainable financial models, and contribute to the formation of homeowners’ associations (HOAs).
Sources:
Habitat for Humanity. (n.d.) rely on REELIH. Habitat for Humanity Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Links: https://www.habitat.org/emea/stories/rely-reelih;
https://getwarmhomes.org/our-approach/reelih-project-in-armenia/