The legacies of residential segregation continues to exclude communities of color from healthy and affordable housing.

There has been little state or local action to stimulate the construction of energy efficient, affordable housing and to prevent displacement in rapidly growing areas.

Policymakers and building industry trade groups have resisted strong energy codes that would provide minimum acceptable standards for new buildings.

Low-income communities face higher outdoor temperatures than other communities due to a lack of green infrastructure and the urban heat island effect, making it more difficult and expensive to cool their homes.

In winter, some low-income utility customers are forced to use inefficient and dangerous equipment like an oven to heat their home.

Power plants are disproportionately located near low-income and minority communities, placing these groups at a higher risk for chronic conditions like asthma.

Access to electricity, gas, and water can be shut off for nonpayment, even in periods of dangerous heat or cold.

Low-income tenants lack capital, and landlords control the quality of housing but do not pay the costs of energy inefficient housing.

Low-income residents are functionally excluded from many utility-administered energy efficiency and renewable programs because they cannot pay the required upfront installation or equipment costs.

Yet low-income customers must pay higher fixed fees on their utility bills to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Federal energy assistance programs have been chronically underfunded, and until 2006 state LIHEAP disbursements were calculated using a formula that gave preference to heating-dominant climates outside of the Southeast.