May 20, 2026
Louisiana Homeowners Can Get Affordable Loans to Make Climate-Resilient Home Upgrades Through Finance New Orleans
For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2026
Contact:
press@usgreenbanks.org
Louisiana Homeowners Can Get Affordable Loans to Make Climate-Resiliant Home Upgrades Through Finance New Orleans
Residential RE-UP Loan Program Provides Low-Interest Financing for Home Retrofits, Lowering Energy Burdens and Strengthening Our Community
New Orleans, LA — Louisiana homeowners and landlords looking to make clean energy and storm-resilience home improvements as hurricane season approaches can now apply to Finance New Orleans’ loan programs for low-cost financing. Finance New Orleans, a public investment financing agency, helping make home mortgages and improvements accessible and affordable for all New Orleanians. To streamline the process, Finance New Orleans has partnered with the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) and a network of pre-screened, local contractors. Homeowners and landlords throughout the state can apply online, work with a vetted professional to estimate their project, and receive fast approval to begin improvements that make their homes safer and more energy efficient.
As climate-related risks and energy costs continue to rise, low- and moderate-income residents who are impacted first are often systematically excluded from conventional lending markets. In response, Finance New Orleans offers programs like the Resilient Energy Upgrades (RE-UP) Loan Program, which serves as a critical financial bridge for homeowners and landlords to improve their residences. The program offers unsecured, low-interest loans ranging from $3,000 to $25,000 (and up to $50,000 for solar projects) with fixed rates between 5% and 12%. These funds empower residents to invest in essential upgrades, including:
- Energy Efficiency: HVAC upgrades, heat pumps, insulation, and weatherization to lower utility bills.
- Climate Resilience: FORTIFIED roofing, impact-resistant windows, and reinforced doors designed to withstand hurricanes, high winds, and severe weather — helping protect homes and reduce costly storm damage.
- Renewable Energy: Solar panels and battery storage to increase energy independence.
- Water Management: Water-saving fixtures and plumbing and sewer infrastructure to mitigate flooding risks.
“Climate-resiliant home improvements should not be luxuries. These upgrades are not just beautification projects — they are essential for protecting homes from natural disasters and stabilizing finances in the face of rising energy bills,” said Annie Clark, Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer of Finance New Orleans. “Our financial system is not equipped to help everyday homeowners maintain their homes. That’s where Finance New Orleans comes in. Through programs like the RE-UP loan, we are filling the financing gap to ensure that every Louisiana homeowner and landlord, regardless of their credit score, has the resources they need to maintain their home, build equity, and lower their long-term living costs.”
“Finance New Orleans is a prime example of how local, mission-driven green banks and community lenders are transforming their communities by working in tandem with the people they serve,” said Dan Adler, Executive Director of the GB 50. “By aligning household finance with climate resilience, Finance New Orleans helps New Orleanians make everyday financial decisions that turn into long-term housing stability. Their work demonstrates the power of the GB 50 network: scaling proven, market-driven solutions that deliver energy affordability and local economic growth where it’s needed most.”
The RE-UP program is uniquely inclusive, utilizing flexible underwriting that does not require a minimum credit score or home equity. Instead, eligibility is based on steady income and the ability to repay, ensuring that low to moderate-income households, who are often disproportionately impacted by rising energy costs, are not left behind.
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The US Green Bank 50 (the GB 50) is the member-founded and member-driven coalition of Green Banks across the United States. The GB 50 supports regional, state, and local mission-driven green banks in accelerating clean energy project development that drives economic, health, and environmental benefits for communities across the country.
Finance New Orleans is a public investment bank that aims to improve the quality of life in Greater New Orleans by funding climate-resilient housing and infrastructure. Since 1978, we have supported New Orleans residents with affordable mortgage and home financing tools designed to strengthen neighborhoods and expand access to safe, stable homeownership. Today, the agency continues this legacy by helping families protect their homes through accessible financing that supports sustainability, resilience, and long-term affordability. To learn more about our resilient homeownership work, visit www.financenola.org.
