Making Home Upgrades Affordable: Investing $6 million in SEF’s HOMES program
Every Utahn deserves a home that’s comfortable, efficient, and ready for the future. But upgrading an older home can feel out of reach. At SustainEnergyFinance, we believe families shouldn’t have to choose between doing what’s right for their home, their wallet, and their future.
That’s why we’re proud to launch a new Home Retrofit Lending Program, supported by up to $6 million in funding from the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF). This program helps Utah homeowners access affordable and flexible financing for projects that make their homes healthier, more efficient, and safer.
“For too long, Utah families have faced barriers to making their homes more efficient, comfortable, and resilient. We’re excited to change that–by bringing national expertise and capital home to Utah. By partnering with SELF, we’re connecting Utahns with proven tools and affordable financing that have already helped thousands of families across the country.” – Shawna Gabriela Cuan, CEO, SustainEnergyFinance
Practical Solutions for Utah Homes
Through our Homes Program, families can finance a wide range of projects—from insulation, windows, and heating and cooling systems, to solar panels and battery storage. These are practical improvements that lower bills, boost comfort, and build long-term resilience.
Eligible Upgrades for SustainEnergyFinance HOMES Program
We know home improvement isn’t always simple. That’s why our approach is hands-on: we partner with homeowners every step of the way to make the process as smooth and transparent as possible, with consumer protections throughout.
Our program is carefully designed to ensure that homeowners across the income spectrum can access flexible and low-cost financing for critical home improvement projects through a proprietary underwriting process that assesses ability to repay a loan, as opposed to only focusing on credit score.
National Expertise, Local Impact
We are proud to partner with SELF, a national leader in expanding access to affordable financing for sustainable home improvements. SELF has been financing home retrofits for over 15 years, reaching over $60 million for more than 12,000 people across 17 states and the District of Columbia. SELF chose us to implement their successful programming in Utah. Together, we share a simple goal: helping families build stronger, healthier homes.
“This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when mission-driven lenders work together to expand access to affordable financing for sustainable home improvements. We’re proud to share the tools, expertise, and technology that have helped thousands of families across the country—and to see those benefits take root in Utah communities through SustainEnergyFinance’s local leadership.” – Duanne Andrade, CEO, SELF
First Loan Closed: Solar Power in Moab
We’re excited to share that our new Homes Program is already making an impact. We completed our first loan for a solar energy project in Moab that will help a local family produce their own clean power and lower monthly energy costs. This project marks the start of a larger effort to bring practical, affordable energy solutions to homes across Utah, especially our rural communities.
Looking Ahead
In the months ahead, we’ll be expanding outreach to homeowners, contractors, and community partners statewide. From all corners of the state to the Wasatch Front, we’re here to make financing accessible for families who want to invest in their homes and their communities.
If you’re a homeowner looking to make improvements—or a contractor or community group interested in partnering with us—learn more at sustainenergyfinance.org or contact us at homes@sustainenergyfinance.org.
Together, we can build a stronger Utah, one home at a time.
About SustainEnergyFinance
SustainEnergyFinance (SEF) is a nonprofit green bank headquartered in Utah, dedicated to creating equitable access to clean energy and resilient housing finance. SEF works with public, private, and philanthropic partners to catalyze projects that deliver measurable environmental and social impact.
Learn more about our work and upcoming projects at sustainenergyfinance.org
About SELF
SELF’s mission is to rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and innovative financing for sustainable property improvements, with the primary focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. We strive to create positive social, economic, and environmental impacts by helping people improve the health, safety, and quality of life in their homes while reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn more at solarenergyloanfund.org
Projected energy savings based on source savings. All information is from sources deemed reliable. No representation is made and we do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided. No assurances can be given that the future results indicated, whether expressed or implied, will be achieved.