Carroll Inn Rededication Celebrates $2.7 Million All-Electric Rehabilitation Project

122 affordable housing units benefit from electrification and interior upgrades

Sunnyvale, Calif. – On September 18, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) joined MidPen Housing to celebrate the completion of a $2.7M multi-phase all-electric rehabilitation project at Carroll Inn Apartments, an affordable housing community in the heart of Sunnyvale. The property, built in 1994, illustrates how existing multi-unit properties can partake in the transition to an equitable, clean energy future. The interior and exterior upgrades expand access to the benefits of electrification, enhance accessibility of the units, and improve overall comfort for residents.

As the property owner, MidPen leveraged a portfolio of local, state, and federal funding programs. The City of Sunnyvale facilitated $490K in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and a collective $1.8M came from the Bay Area Regional Energy Network, the California Department of Community Services and Development, California Energy Smart Homes, and TECH Clean California. SVCE contributed $450,000 to close the remaining funding gap for the electric upgrades.

MidPen Housing received Resolutions from the Offices of Senator Becker and Senator Cortese, the Office of Assemblymember Ahrens, and a Commendation from Santa Clara County District 3 Supervisor Otto Lee.

The improvements to make Carroll Inn all-electric completed in October 2025, and replaced all gas appliances with safe, efficient, electric alternatives. The use of gas in buildings accounts for 34% of Sunnyvale’s greenhouse gas emissions and is a major source of harmful indoor and outdoor pollutants. The building is now equipped with roof-mounted solar panels, central and individual heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), electric dryers, and ductless heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). The new HVAC systems will provide cooling to residents for the first time. All appliances are powered by the clean electricity Carroll Inn generates and receives from SVCE.

“For more than three decades, Carroll Inn has provided affordable homes for people with some of the lowest incomes in our region,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “This investment in modern building systems, renewable energy, and accessibility improvements reflects the long-term commitment by MidPen and our partners to preserving and maintaining healthy, sustainable communities for residents.”

Outdoor units for the split-system central heat pump water heater.

“The federal, state and local partners that made this project possible have chosen to invest in and strengthen existing buildings, and especially in an established community,” said Sunnyvale Mayor and SVCE Board Chair Larry Klein. “It’s essential that the benefits of electrification are felt by everyone, including residents, in spaces like this one, that have been rooted in our communities for decades now.”

The transformed community garden and kitchen space, before and after.

The interior improvements to Carroll Inn, completed in May 2026, replaced all flooring throughout the building and units, established a community garden, installed new kitchen cabinets and countertops and installed security cameras across the property.

Learn more about MidPen Housing properties at https://www.midpen-housing.org/ 

 Learn more about resources to go electric at https://ehub.svcleanenergy.org/ 

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About MidPen Housing
MidPen Housing is one of the most trusted, mission-driven developers, owners, and managers of high-quality affordable housing in California. Our mission: To provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect. Founded in 1970, MidPen currently serves 22,800 residents at 142 properties in 12 Northern California counties. 

Media Contact
Lyn Hikida, VP, Corporate Communications and Public Relations 
(415) 336-0279
lyn.hikida@midpen-housing.org 

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 280,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. Silicon Valley Clean Energy customers receive clean power, competitive rates, and unique offers and services that reduce fossil fuel use, helping create a safer, healthier region. Learn more at svcleanenergy.org. 

Media Contact
Michaela Pippin, Communications Manager
(408) 549-2690
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org