Climate-resilient investments in affordable housing through long-term sustainable upgrades.
Across British Columbia — from Northern communities to Metro Vancouver — older rental buildings are feeling the strain of increasingly unpredictable weather. Deeper cold snaps, heavier snowfall, and sharper temperature swings are putting pressure on aging heating, plumbing, and building systems.
Many of the properties protected through the Rental Protection Fund were built decades ago and are still in excellent condition, but have outdated energy and electrical systems: ageing boilers strained by winter demand; inefficient lighting and heat, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems that drive up operating costs; and single-pane windows and minimal insulation that allow heat to escape. Left unaddressed, these issues not only increase emissions and expenses, but also affect tenant comfort and long-term building resilience.
To address deferred maintenance and support essential building upgrades, the Fund provides Renewal Grants, which are a one-time, upfront capital contribution to be invested in these critical building systems, identified in the building's capital plan. Some of the repairs that we’ve helped to fund include building fascia repair, mold and asbestos remediation, and window replacements. Larger projects include entire roof replacements or zone valve replacements — helping to improve the flow of hot and cold water to different zones within a building.
At Moody Apartments in New Westminster, New Hope Community Services completed a zone valve replacement project as part of its capital renewal plan, supported by the Fund. New zone valves were installed in both common areas and individual units, improving temperature controls, energy efficiency, and overall building performance. As a result, tenants now experience more consistent and reliable heating (and cooling) throughout the year.
At Packard and Garden Court Housing Co-operatives in Coquitlam, several capital renewal projects addressed long-standing deferred maintenance. Exterior lighting was upgraded to energy-efficient LED fixtures to improve visibility and safety, alongside extensive repairs to the baseboard heating system. Several co-op members had been living with broken electrical baseboard heaters for many years, prior to the Community Land Trust of BC acquiring the properties. These units have now been fully repaired and restored, providing a reliable source of heat, especially during the coldest months of winter.
“These buildings are home to many seniors, and we were concerned about the ongoing issues with unreliable heating and years of deferred maintenance. For some time, many residents were relying on space heaters to stay warm. These are not energy efficient and can create serious fire risks." said Jared Whipp, Property Manager at Community Land Trust. "We have repaired and replaced many baseboard heaters, which has made a real difference in both safety and comfort for our members."
In some cases, additional funding is required to carry out larger building upgrades or deep-energy retrofits. The Fund’s acquisition program allows non-profit housing providers to stack funding and access additional third-party programs to undertake more extensive retrofits and repairs, particularly when projects are tied to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or improved energy performance.
One example is Tantalus Manor in Squamish, jointly acquired by Hiy̓ám̓ Housing and Housing Squamish with support from the Rental Protection Fund. Earlier this year, the property was approved for $4.9 million in retrofit funding through federal program Canada Greener Affordable Housing Fund*. The project will include an upgrade to electrical panels and circuits, installation of high-energy efficient lighting, and the installation of energy recovery ventilators and high-efficiency electric heat pumps in each unit, among other activities. While helping to heat tenants and improve comfort, this work will also result in an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a 60% decrease in energy consumption. Most importantly, and aligning with our core vision of the Fund, no tenant will be displaced during or after the extensive retrofit, and rents will not increase.
"A retrofit that will improve the comfort, safety, and resilience of Tantalus Manor and the well-being of current and future residents,” said Sarah Ellis, Executive Director of Housing Squamish.
Harsher winters are becoming a reality across B.C. and Canada, but stress of unreliable housing doesn’t have to be. By strengthening existing buildings, investing in long-overdue repairs, and creating pathways for deeper energy upgrades, affordable homes can be made ready for colder temperatures and a changing climate. Creating building resilience isn’t just about insulation and heating systems—it’s about ensuring that every resident has a safe, stable place to call home, every season of the year.
*The Community Land Trust applied for additional funding through Canada Greener Affordable Housing Fund and have recently been approved for Packard and Garden Court properties. Scheduled work is set to commence in March 2026. The planned retrofits will include significant upgrades to the building envelope, including roof replacements, window upgrades, and the installation of in-unit heat pumps.
