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Co-ops to receive funding for energy upgrades: Yours could too!

Published June 02, 2021

It’s now been one year since the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities created the Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative.

This program helps affordable housing providers make their existing homes more energy efficient, or build new energy-efficient homes.

What types of projects were funded?

In the first year of this program, 34 projects were funded. Four of them were housing co-ops:

  • In P.E.I., Community Seniors Cooperative Ltd. received $175,000 for a feasibility study for a new seniors’ residence.
  • Clintwood Housing Co-operative in Toronto received $19,600 to plan for a net-zero energy retrofit.
  • In Calgary, Sunnyhill Housing Co-operative was able to conduct a feasibility study on retrofitting existing townhouses and building a new net-zero multi-unit building in Calgary thanks to a $112,765 investment.
  • Spruce Woods Housing Cooperative, in Brandon, MB, received $21,750 to help them create a plan to use deep retrofits to increase affordability in 81 homes.

How can my co-op get funding to make our co-op greener?

Irfaan, who has shortly clipped hair and beard, stands in front of a brick wall smiling and wearing a blue suitThe Sustainable Affordable Housing program is still accepting applications for plans and feasibility studies like these, as well as for capital projects.

And there are other programs and grants available that can help your co-op provide better, safer, greener homes for members.

If your co-op is interested in improving its energy performance, but doesn’t know where to start, we recommend getting in touch with our Regional Energy Coach, Irfaan Hasham. He’s working with CHF Canada member co-ops to help figure out what energy upgrades their buildings need, and how to pay for them.  You can contact Irfaan at ihasham@chfcanada.coop or call 416.366.2085.


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