Renters pay the energy bills, but they don’t have the power to control their power costs. Energy burden disproportionately affects Iowa renters, who are often trapped in this dilemma—responsible for monthly utility bills but unable to implement efficiency upgrades that would lower their costs. Because only property owners can make decisions about insulation, heating, and cooling systems, or appliance upgrades, renters remain vulnerable to high energy expenses. Meanwhile, Iowa lags behind other states in advancing affordable, decarbonized housing solutions.

This recorded Zoom roundtable will convene a diverse group of experts and stakeholders for a guided conversation, co-facilitated by the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa and the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition. By bringing together housing providers, community action representatives, utility professionals, local and state leaders, and national housing experts, the roundtable aims to spark collaboration, influence policy, and drive meaningful progress toward equitable decarbonization across Iowa’s affordable housing sector. The discussion will highlight systemic barriers that hold affordable housing renters back, while lifting Clean Energy District perspectives to connect statewide issues with community-level realities. Policymakers, developers, housing authorities, community advocates, and utility representatives will gain greater awareness of both the urgency and the opportunity to reduce energy burdens and accelerate decarbonization in Iowa’s affordable rental housing.