THUNDER BAY – HOUSING – Some of the social housing in Thunder Bay could be set for a retrofit with funding by the Government of Ontario.
The province continues to put its new Climate Change Strategy into action by investing $92 million from the Green Investment Fund into social housing retrofits to take advantage of the economic opportunities in clean technologies, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Most of Ontario’s social housing towers were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and can use up to 25 per cent more energy per square metre than a house. To help ensure that these buildings can better meet the challenges of climate change, the province is investing $82 million toward energy retrofits for high-rise social housing towers of 150 units or more. The retrofits will include installing energy-efficient boilers, insulating outer walls and mechanical systems, and installing more energy efficient windows and lighting. At an average cost of $3.5 – $5.5 million for each high-rise project, the funding could help retrofit between 16 and 23 buildings.
It is uncertain where in Thunder Bay the re-fit will happen, but the City is listed on the communities where the province is investing the funds.
Several of the social housing projects in the city, including Windsor, Limbrick, and Academy were build long ago and likely could benefit from support to be more energy efficient.
Ontario will also invest a further $10 million to help improve electricity efficiency in approximately 1,300 single social housing homes, which are often found in smaller and rural communities.
Starting this month, eligible social housing service managers and the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Corporation may submit expressions of interest for funding to the province. The selected service managers will distribute funds starting this spring to the most appropriate projects in their communities.
Ontario’s new Green Investment Fund is a $325-million down payment on the province’s cap and trade program to strengthen the economy, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This $92-million investment will help lower greenhouse gas emissions by about 3,600 tonnes over a 20-year period and create approximately 1,650 job years.
Fighting climate change while supporting growth, efficiency and productivity is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
