FCM’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Community Housing Transformation Centre (the Centre), a non-profit organization that works with housing organizations across Canada to drive transformation, sustainability and growth in community housing.
The Community Housing Transformation Centre is a welcome partner in our efforts to create more sustainable communities. As a conveyor of the community housing sector, the Centre supports housing providers and community organizations across the country to build capacity, access funding and develop impactful projects that strengthen the sector.
According to the World Green Building Council, the energy required to construct and operate buildings is responsible for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions. Aging housing stock, rising energy costs and increasing demand for affordable housing have created a unique challenge for municipalities and other affordable housing providers.
The Regional Energy Coaches (RECs) pilot project offers a unique and innovative solution to these challenges. RECs help affordable housing providers initiate energy efficiency retrofits and new constructions, right from the earliest stages of project planning. They provide project management and technical support, walk-through audits and coaching to help guide providers through the process of identifying and evaluating the feasibility of projects.
Both FCM and the Centre are supported by federal partners; the Centre is backed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) through Canada’s National Housing Strategy, while the Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative is delivered through the Green Municipal Fund and funded by the Government of Canada. These partnerships represent a willingness to innovate and collaborate to create a more sustainable Canada.