Abstract
Low-and Moderate-Income (LMI) tenants are at risk of being left behind in the clean energy transition. While building electrification's environmental and health benefits are evident, it can pose accessibility challenges for LMI residents, who already bear a disproportionate energy burden. Electrification of multifamily LMI housing is particularly challenging due to the complex decision-making dynamics in landlord-tenant relationships, such as split incentives, master-metered gas systems, and capital pass-through costs. Additionally, LMI residents of multifamily housing often suffer from heat stress, lack air conditioning within their homes, or lack the means to afford elevated electric bills from space cooling. These issues are exacerbated by the fact that LMI tenants often hesitate to advocate for improvements due to the fear of retaliation or eviction. The compounded effects of extreme heat, energy burden, and power imbalance threaten the health and safety of LMI residents. In this study, we investigate air conditioning access for LMI households residing in multifamily buildings and explore the potential role of building electrification in mitigating heat stress. Our mixed-methods approach aims to assess residential building electrification's role in decarbonization and comfort, health, and safety. This study is part of an ongoing effort to understand LMI households' perspectives and concerns regarding building electrification and aims to provide insights that inform equitable policy solutions.