A San Antonio apartment property qualifies for the CPS Energy Multifamily Program if it meets four rules: at least 25% of units are occupied by tenants using rental assistance or income-qualifying assistance, or the property is owned and operated by a 501(c)(3); units are individually metered with CPS Energy electric service; the property is at least 10 years old; and it has five or more units. If all four are true, you can enroll and get a no-cost property assessment.
The program is run for CPS Energy by CLEAResult. Here is how to check each rule and what happens after you enroll.
The four eligibility rules
| Rule | What the program says | How to check it |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted housing or nonprofit | At least 25% of units occupied by tenants using rental assistance, or receiving federal, state, or local income-qualifying assistance. Or the property is owned and operated by a 501(c)(3). | Count units paid with housing vouchers or other assistance on your current rent roll. |
| Individually metered | Units are individually metered, with electric service from CPS Energy. | Check whether residents hold their own CPS Energy accounts. |
| Age | The property is 10 years old or older. | Use the certificate of occupancy or original construction date. |
| Size | Five or more units. | Count units on the property. |
The 25% rule, in practice
This is the rule most owners ask about. The program accepts tenants who pay with a housing assistance voucher, and tenants who receive "some type of federal, state, or local income-qualifying assistance." A property with Housing Choice Voucher holders in a quarter of its units clears the bar. So does a property owned and operated by a 501(c)(3), regardless of tenant mix.
To prove it, the program lists three accepted forms: acceptable proof of qualification, HUD documentation, or a self-attestation letter. Ask the program team which one fits your property before you gather records.
Individual metering
A master-metered property, where one meter covers all units, does not meet this rule. The program is built around upgrades inside individually metered units served by CPS Energy.
From the field: "Metering catches owners off guard. An older property can look individually metered from the parking lot and still have a building on a master meter. Check the CPS Energy accounts building by building before you count the whole property in."
CG's field team
On a first visit, our team checks the rules in the same order as the table above: rent roll, meters, age, then unit count. If one is unclear, we flag it for the program team instead of guessing.
A quick self-check before you call
Run the numbers on your own rent roll first. The 25% threshold is simple arithmetic: a 40-unit property needs at least 10 units with tenants on rental or income-qualifying assistance, and a 120-unit property needs at least 30. Count only occupied units with current assistance, since the rule refers to units occupied by tenants using assistance.
Then confirm the other three rules in a few minutes:
- Metering: look at a recent resident utility setup. If each unit has its own CPS Energy account, you meet the metering rule.
- Age: find the certificate of occupancy or the year built on the county appraisal record. Ten years or older qualifies.
- Size: five units is the floor, so small fourplexes do not qualify on their own.
If a 501(c)(3) owns and operates the property, the 25% count does not apply. If the property is close on the 25% rule, say so when you contact the program team. They can tell you which proof they will accept and whether a self-attestation letter is enough.
What paperwork the program asks for
The property manager page lists four items for enrollment:
- Enrollment application.
- Rent roll. The program uses it to confirm the assistance threshold. Check the enrollment application or ask the program team for the exact format.
- Floor plan.
- Site map.
Why this matters: the rent roll is usually the slowest piece. Pull a current one before you start the form.
How a project moves from enrollment to install
CPS Energy describes a seven-step process:
- Complete the enrollment form.
- Once enrolled and approved, the property gets a no-cost property assessment to find qualifying upgrades.
- The program team reviews the recommended upgrades.
- The trade ally provides a full scope and cost breakdown in a Letter of Intent (LOI) before any work begins.
- The property manager or owner signs the LOI to reserve funds.
- Upgrades are installed with calibrated equipment.
- The property receives post-installation verification.
The program says installation typically takes 4 to 8 weeks after the work is scheduled, depending on the number and type of upgrades.
All work is done by an approved, registered trade ally. You can choose your own trade ally or work with a participating contractor. A contractor that has not worked in the program before has to be approved before the project starts. CG Service Pros is a participating trade ally in the CPS Energy Multifamily Program. For an overview of the program's measure groups and approval process, see our CPS Energy multifamily rebate guide.
What it costs the property
CPS Energy says its incentives "typically cover all or most" of qualifying equipment costs. Some upgrades may need an investment from the owner. The program names window replacement, window A/C units, ENERGY STAR appliances, duct replacement or repair, HVAC replacement, and custom measures.
Incentive amounts vary by equipment type and available funding, and the program does not post a public rate table. The LOI is where you see the real numbers for your property before anything is installed.
How payment works with CG
CPS Energy pays the trade ally once the project is complete and all documents, including the final invoice and W-9, are submitted. The program says payment is typically processed within 6 to 8 weeks after that. CG Service Pros collects the incentive directly from the program at the end of the job, so the property is not waiting on a check. If the assessment includes upgrades that need an owner investment, the LOI shows that amount separately, and it is billed on the terms written in the LOI.
From the field: "Read the LOI line by line with your asset manager before you sign. It shows the scope and anything the property pays, and it is much easier to change before funds are reserved."
CG's project leads
What if the property does not qualify?
If the property misses a rule, the program team is still the right first call, because rules can change and they can confirm your status. CPS Energy runs other programs as well, but CG Service Pros works only in the Multifamily Program in San Antonio, so we can only help with properties that fit it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the CPS Energy Multifamily Program?
Properties with at least 25% of units occupied by tenants using rental or income-qualifying assistance, or owned and operated by a 501(c)(3). Units must be individually metered with CPS Energy electric service, the property must be at least 10 years old, and it needs five or more units.
Do Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher tenants count toward the 25%?
The program counts tenants using housing assistance vouchers as a form of payment, as well as tenants receiving other federal, state, or local income-qualifying assistance.
What documents do I need to enroll?
An enrollment application, a rent roll, a floor plan, and a site map. To show income qualification, the program accepts proof of qualification, HUD documentation, or a self-attestation letter.
Is the property assessment free?
Yes. CPS Energy says enrolled and approved properties receive a no-cost property assessment.
How long does installation take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks after the work is scheduled, depending on the upgrades.
Who runs the program?
CLEAResult runs the CPS Energy Multifamily Program. You can reach the team at 210-353-2SAV (2728) or CPSEnergyMultifamily@clearesult.com.
Next step
CG Service Pros was named Austin Energy's 2024 Contractor of the Year and has handled rebate projects for more than five years. In a single year, the team completed more than 4,500 multifamily units. In San Antonio, we work only in the CPS Energy Multifamily Program, so our reviews focus on apartment properties that fit its rules. If your San Antonio property meets the four rules, request a review on our San Antonio multifamily page.
Sources
Program details checked November 2, 2026:
