Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have approved $66.3 million for 162 energy efficiency projects across the country.
The funding is being provided through the Green Municipal Fund’s Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) and Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiatives. It includes capital projects, program design studies and feasibility studies.
Of the total, $34.6 million will support 21 projects through the CEF initiative, which helps municipalities and their partners provide financing options for homeowners undertaking energy-efficiency upgrades.
Homeowners save an average of 30 per cent in energy costs following CEF-funded upgrades, according to the announcement.
The financing programs are designed and administered by municipalities, utility providers and third-party partners to address financial barriers to home energy upgrades.
Since CEF launched in 2020, retrofit programs have been established in 47 municipalities across eight provinces, with more than 16,000 homeowners anticipated to access home energy retrofits.
The 21 programs in the latest announcement span communities from Atlantic Canada to British Columbia.
The announcement also includes $31.6 million for 141 projects through GMF’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative.
Launched in 2020 as a six-year, $300-million program, SAH supports not-for-profit organizations, co-operatives and municipalities in retrofitting existing housing and constructing new energy-efficient homes.
To date, the program has supported more than 3,700 housing units across Canada, with projects aimed at reducing emissions, lowering operating costs and improving housing quality.
The projects are intended to help rural, urban and remote communities address housing shortages, build economic resilience and improve housing for families, seniors and individuals in need.