Oakland SAVES Grant Program
Oakland Saves StoryMap
Energy efficiency supports all three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy costs, and creating local jobs. In celebration of Earth Day, Oakland County is showcasing the impact of its 2024 energy efficiency program, Oakland SAVES, which provided upgrades that benefitted both the environment and the community through a brand-new StoryMap.
Oakland County partnered with Michigan Saves to upgrade nearly 1,100 households, improving comfort, resilience, and reducing utility bills, while also generating over $7.7 million in local contracting work. The StoryMap features participant testimonials, a map of completed projects, and an analysis of its environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Visit the new Oakland Saves StoryMap
Application Closed
The response to the Oakland SAVES program was phenomenal with more than 1,100 households receiving approval for the money saving, energy efficiency upgrade grants in less than a week. Tier 1 and Tier 2 grant incentive funds have been fully committed to previous applicants. The application is no longer available.
THERE ARE STILL OPTIONS
- Michigan Saves has a residential financing program that provides low-interest loans to homeowners for eligible energy-efficiency projects.
- Oakland County’s Neighborhood and Housing Development department has a home improvement program that provides interest-free low loans for needed house repairs.
- OLHSA has a weatherization assistance program that is a free energy conservation service for low-income households to reduce energy usage and utility bills.
- DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance
- Consumers Helping Neighbors Program
- Oakland County is actively seeking partners to help extend and expand the Oakland Saves initiative.
Oakland County partnered with Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank, to invest $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide qualified residents with an Oakland SAVES grant. These grants were used for energy efficient upgrades to homes, producing savings in energy consumption and utility bills and improving our residents’ health, safety and comfort.
“Helping our residents upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes will not only enable them to save money on their utility bills but will also be beneficial for the environment. Less energy usage means a reduction in carbon emissions and that translates into a cleaner, more sustainable environment for all of us.”
Dave Coulter, County Executive
Any qualified resident in Oakland County applied for a grant in one of two tiers:
- Income-qualified households received up to $5,000 from a pot of $4 million to help pay for projects.
- Other residents applied to have 20% of a sustainable home improvement project covered by a grant, capping out at $3,000 each from a pot of $1 million.
Eligible improvements included: the installation of insulation, energy-efficient doors and windows, weatherstripping, and heating, ventilation, water heater and air conditioning improvements.
For more ways to improve your energy efficiency and reduce both costs and climate impact at home, check out the resources on our Sustainability at Home page.
News & Updates
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Sustainability
Oakland County Rises from Silver to Gold in Environmental Leadership
22 May, 01:00 PM
- Oakland County achieved gold status for exemplary action in the Michigan Green Communities program.
- The Oakland SAVES Grant Program committed more than $5 million in grants for energy-efficient upgrades to more than 1,050 homes.
- The county has planted hundreds of trees on campus and reduced fleet fuel consumption.
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County has risen from silver to gold certification for its environmental leadership from the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program.
“Through innovative initiatives like Oakland SAVES and our concerted efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, Oakland County is moving toward a greener, more sustainable future,” County Executive Dave Coulter said.
As part of the annual MGC Challenge, local governments can win bronze, silver, gold or platinum seals of achievement in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, and environmental justice. At the 2023 MGC Challenge, seven communities received bronze certification, 20 received silver certification, and 36 received gold certification.
The county earned gold by reaching sustainability goals in the following categories:
- Planning for inclusive and lasting impacts
- Climate resilience and adaptation
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Responsibly managing materials
- Sustainable land use and economic development
- Improving health outcomes
- Protecting and conserving water resources
- Supporting clean and inclusive mobility
- Inspiring and mobilizing residents
“Oakland County’s elevation to gold certification in multiple environmental categories underscores our relentless pursuit of sustainability, resilience, and community well-being,” Chief Sustainability Officer Erin Quetell said.
Environmental sustainability is one of the 8 Strategic Goals that guides Oakland County. In 2023, the Oakland County Office of Sustainability with Michigan Saves invested $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to create the grant program, Oakland SAVES (Simple Actions for Valuable Energy Savings). The program helped more than 1,050 households receive approval for energy- and money-saving home improvements, including attic insulation and ENERGY STAR furnaces. On the Oakland County campus, the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Facilities, Maintenance & Operations decreased its fleet’s fuel consumption, added electric and hybrid vehicles, and planted nearly 500 trees — all to reduce carbon emissions.
The MGC program is free to all local governments in Michigan. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for Michigan.
Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Department of Transportation; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association. More details about this program can be found at migreencommunities.com.