Affordable rental housing across the Kootenays will benefit from more than $5.8 million in clean energy upgrades to 69 buildings comprising of 1,097 units, thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and other additional funding sources.
The initiative will help non-profit housing providers access energy assessments, plan capital upgrades, navigate rebate programs, and complete retrofits or install solar panels.
“Non-profit housing providers across the Basin are doing vital work to keep homes affordable and sustainable for residents,” said Ulli Mueller, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust.
“We’re thrilled to support their efforts by helping them access upgrades and clean energy solutions that improve resident comfort, reduce operating costs, and increase climate resilience.”
Improvements such as heat pumps, insulation, lighting and air sealing enhance energy efficiency, will lower emissions and improve overall comfort for residents.
Operated by Fernie Family Housing Society, North End Court includes a townhouse complex and a 35-unit apartment building serving people with low or moderate incomes, including families, seniors, single parents and individuals living with disabilities.
To reduce energy costs and support sustainability goals, the society is installing a rooftop solar array on the apartment building.
“Keeping costs down and rents affordable—that’s the benefit of solar,” said Gayle Vallance, President of Fernie Family Housing Society.
“It’s something affordable housing providers should consider as we all work to keep rents manageable and reduce emissions.”
The Marysville Lions Housing Society provides affordable housing for seniors and people living with disabilities. Its Valley View Lodge includes 35 units in the main building and a townhouse cluster. A solar installation on the main lodge is expected to significantly reduce utility costs.
“The solar array will power all common areas in the building,” said Clay Kaldestad, Chair of the Marysville Lions Housing Society.
“That means significant utility savings we can put toward building improvements, creating more comfortable homes for our residents.”
Funding projects in the East Kootenay, totalling over $2.4 million, include:
- Baynes Lake Seniors Housing Society: $26,995 for solar, heat pump water heater and LED lighting
- Canadian Mental Health Association- Kootenays (Cranbrook): $410,090 for heating system upgrade
- Aqanttanam Housing Society: $138,255 for boiler upgrade, hot water tank retrofit, heat pumps and window replacement
- Cranbrook Rotary Project Society: $16,870 for pipe insulation
- Kootenay Region Association for Community Living: $118,015 for solar, LED lighting, heat pumps, exterior door replacement, and insulation upgrades
- Creston Trinity Housing Society: $38,000 for attic insulation
- Handy Capable Housing Society: $16,200 for hot water tank upgrade and pipe insulation
- Creston Valley Community Housing Society: $51,300 for a heat pump
- Elk Valley Family Society: $70,845 for solar and heating system upgrades
- Fernie Family Housing Society: $160,650 for solar, heating and cooling upgrades, LED lighting, attic insulation and a heat pump water heater
- Fernie Citizen Housing Society: $116,710 for lighting, attic insulation and an air unit
- Lakeview Manor Society: $2,360 for LED lighting and mini heat pump
- Family Dynamix Association: $458,565 for attic insulation, heat pumps, water and door replacement and insulation
- South Country Housing Project Society: $15,250 for solar, heating and cooling upgrades and windows
- Kimberley Seniors Project Society: $113,785 for solar and window replacement
- Marysville Lions Housing Society: $174,070 for solar, insulation, hot water tank, heating upgrade and window replacement
- Canadian Mental Health Association- Kootenays (Kimberley): $95,455 for heating and cooling upgrades, and LED lighting
- Sparwood Senior Citizens Society: $361,880 for heat pump and insulation
- Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society: $105,805 for LED lighting and hot water tank upgrade
You can find more information here.
