Resources for Residents and Tenants
Better Buildings for Residents, Tenants, and Communities
High performing buildings have better air quality, reduced energy costs, and can be more resilient to climate emergencies.
When it comes to reducing pollution from existing buildings, everyone should be part of the solution. As policies for energy efficiency and emissions from existing buildings evolve, this will bring positive impacts to communities but may also present challenges. Learn how to get involved and make your voice heard.
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LEARN
Review our intro to the connection between buildings and climate change, High Performance Buildings and Building Performance Standards.
Attend an upcoming training related to Building Performance Standards.
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EXPLORE
Use our interactive Building Support Agent to get information on tenant rights and protections, available rebates and programs, tips for working with your property manager, andlocal organizations to contact for support.
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PARTICIPATE
Learn about policies under development in California and how you can participate.
Get tips for renters on improving the sustainability and resilience of your building.
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IMPLEMENT
Use USGBC-CA’s Resources for Residents to take action where you live and work.
Scroll down for additional resources, and keep an eye out for the resources we’ll be adding over the coming months.
More Resources for Residents and Tenants
Health, Energy, and Equitable Decarbonization
Strategic Actions for a Just Economy’s (SAJE’s) Tenants at the Center: An Equitable Path to Decarbonization (2025) report provides California renters with critical information about their rights during building electrification and energy upgrades, explaining how to advocate for improved comfort without displacement, access utility bill savings, and ensure landlords implement retrofits that benefit residents rather than just property owners.
The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), Elevate, and NRDC released a Community Health Priorities and Building Performance Policies (2025) report that explains how building performance policies can benefit tenants by potentially lowering utility bills, improving indoor comfort and air quality, and creating opportunities for residents to participate in decision-making about building upgrades that affect their homes and health.
SAJE’s Decarbonizing California Equitably (2023) report explains how building electrification and energy upgrades can be implemented with tenant protections to prevent displacement, ensure affordability, improve indoor air quality, and create opportunities for residents to participate in the clean energy transition while maintaining housing stability.
Implementation Tools and Resources
USGBC California’s Green Homes California program provides resources and project support for both residents and owners of existing housing in frontline communities.
USGBC California’s Resources for Residents / Recursos para Residentes are available in English and Spanish and provide California homeowners and renters with practical guides, fact sheets, and tools for improving home energy efficiency, accessing utility rebates, understanding green building features, and implementing simple sustainability measures that reduce utility bills while enhancing comfort.
The California Energy Commission's (CEC’s) Homeowner and Renter Energy Resources page provides a comprehensive collection of guides, rebate information, energy-saving tips, and DIY assessment tools to help California homeowners improve energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and access available incentives for home upgrades and retrofits.
Visit USGBC-CA’s Resource Library geared toward California building owners and implementers, service providers, tenants, policymakers and others.