Apply for Financial Feasibility Study for Social Housing Retrofit

Deadline: 20-Sep-26

C40 Cities is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct an economic and financial assessment and develop business models to support the scaling up of social housing retrofits in Tel Aviv-Yafo. The assignment focuses on identifying practical financing mechanisms that can help the city expand energy-efficiency improvements in social housing while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing energy poverty, improving living conditions, and advancing social equity.

About the C40 Cities Social Housing Retrofit Assignment

Buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Improving the energy performance of existing buildings, particularly social housing, can therefore play an important role in climate mitigation. In Tel Aviv-Yafo, many social housing residents experience energy poverty and may lack the financial resources required to upgrade their homes. Municipal intervention can help address these challenges by combining climate action with measures that improve living conditions for low-income residents. The Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks a consultant to examine completed retrofit work, assess its economic and financial implications, and develop business models that can help the city determine which initiatives should be prioritized under its Energy Master Plan. Purpose of the Consultancy The main purpose of the assignment is to identify viable financial and business models for scaling up social housing retrofits in Tel Aviv-Yafo. The consultant will assess existing retrofit experience and financing approaches and determine which mechanisms could be adapted to the city’s local context. The assignment is intended to help Tel Aviv-Yafo: - Evaluate the economic and financial performance of completed retrofit projects. - Identify suitable financing models for future retrofit activities. - Understand how financing mechanisms can work across different housing types. - Prioritize initiatives under the city’s Energy Master Plan. - Develop actionable financial mechanisms for further development or pilot testing. - Integrate equity and inclusion considerations into retrofit financing approaches. Economic and Financial Assessment A central part of the assignment is a comprehensive economic and financial assessment of retrofit work that has already been completed. The assessment will examine existing experience and help identify lessons that can inform future social housing retrofit investments. The analysis is expected to provide a foundation for determining which financing approaches are financially and practically suitable for scaling retrofit activity in Tel Aviv-Yafo. Development of Business Models The selected consultant will develop business models that can help the city scale up social housing retrofit initiatives. These models should consider the specific characteristics of different housing segments and identify mechanisms that can realistically be implemented in the Tel Aviv-Yafo context. The business models are intended to support decision-making under the city’s Energy Master Plan and help identify priority mechanisms for further development or pilot testing. Review of Financing Models The consultant will review financing models used at both the national and international levels. This review will examine approaches that have been used to finance building energy-efficiency improvements and determine their potential applicability to Tel Aviv-Yafo.

The consultant will consider:

- Existing national financing models. - International financing approaches. - Financing mechanisms for building energy efficiency. - Applicability across different housing types. - Potential for adaptation to Tel Aviv-Yafo. - Opportunities for further development or pilot testing. Shortlist of Actionable Financial Mechanisms Based on the economic assessment, stakeholder engagement, and review of existing financing models, the consultant will develop a shortlist of actionable financial mechanisms. The shortlist should be tailored to Tel Aviv-Yafo’s specific context and provide practical options for the city to consider. Priority mechanisms may then be selected for further development or pilot testing as part of the city’s broader retrofit and energy-planning efforts.

Scope of Work

The consultancy includes several interconnected areas of work.

The scope includes:

- Project inception and management. - Stakeholder engagement. - Review of existing retrofit experience. - Review of national financing models. - Review of international financing models. - Economic and financial assessment of completed retrofit work. - Assessment of financing mechanisms across different housing segments. - Development of business models for scaling social housing retrofits. - Development of a shortlist of actionable financial mechanisms. - Recommendations for mechanisms that could be further developed or pilot tested. - Analysis and reporting. Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder engagement is an important component of the assignment. The consultant will engage with relevant stakeholders to understand existing experience, financing challenges, housing characteristics, and opportunities for scaling energy-efficiency improvements. Effective engagement can help ensure that the proposed business models and financing mechanisms reflect the realities of different housing segments and the needs of social housing residents. Focus on Different Housing Segments The assignment recognizes that a single financing model may not be suitable for every type of housing. The consultant will therefore need to demonstrate an ability to address diverse housing segments. The assessment should consider how different housing characteristics may affect the suitability, feasibility, and potential implementation of financing mechanisms for energy-efficiency retrofits. Equity and Inclusion Equity and inclusion are important considerations in the consultancy. Social housing residents may face financial barriers that prevent them from in