Energy retrofits for 32 affordable housing buildings

The program helps provide energy conservation upgrades for affordable housing in the Basin.

Halcyon House in Nakusp will be upgraded to become more energy efficient. (Left to right: Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust; Robin Hicks, Manager, Halcyon House; Nakusp Mayor Karen Hamling; and Tim Payne, Executive Director, Halcyon Assisted Living Society.) — Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust

(Columbia Basin) – Thirty-two buildings in 14 communities with over 600 affordable housing units will be more energy efficient with the help of $1.6 million from Columbia Basin Trust.

“We announced the Energy Retrofit Program last year with the goal of helping to upgrade as many affordable housing units as possible to save energy and reduce operating costs for non-profit housing groups,” said Aimee Ambrosone, Columbia Basin Trust Director, Delivery of Benefits. “Thanks to the hard work of all these non-profit housing organizations and the many quality applications we received, we are increasing our overall commitment to $2.5 million.”

Delivered in partnership with the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and BC Housing, the program helps provide energy conservation upgrades for affordable housing in the Basin. Twenty organizations will be receiving over $1.6 million for projects that range from installing new boilers to insulating attics. This is in addition to the $900,000 allocated in the first intake, which committed to upgrading 500 units in 25 buildings in 13 communities.

Halcyon House in Nakusp is one of the grant recipients. The assisted living facility, which houses 17 units for seniors, was built in 1980 and was dealing with aging equipment. The Halcyon Assisted Living Society will now be installing new heat pumps, replacing insulation and upgrading lighting throughout the building.

“Having the ability to address these issues is going to help us improve our energy efficiency which will reduce the operating costs of our organization,” said Tim Payne, Executive Director, Halcyon Assisted Living Society. “These upgrades are also going to benefit our residents. They take great pride in this building so for them to see it being updated brings them a lot of joy, not to mention added comfort levels once the work is complete. It’s a win-win for everybody involved.”

To see the full list of projects funded, visit ourtrust.org/energyretrofit2018.

Residents told the Trust that affordable housing, energy conservation and non-profit support were priorities for them; the Energy Retrofit Program addresses all three. Learn more about the Trust’s work in housing at ourtrust.org/housing.

The Trust is also developing an energy sustainability program for community purpose buildings. The program is expected to be launched later in 2018 and aims to lower energy consumption and costs by supporting energy retrofits and generation measures to enhance the building’s sustainability.

Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.