Grants will help improve over 600 units across the 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.

A total of 287 units of affordable housing in the East Kootenay will benefit from this funding, including $371,900 to Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays for four buildings: Abbott Gardens (23 units); Baker Gardens (36 units); Sonja’s Gardens (35 units); Crestbrook Gardens (24 units).

Fernie Family Housing Society’s New Horizons Village is getting $5,000 to upgrade 32 units.

Invermere’s Family Dynamix Association is receiving $9,600 for three units in Canterbury Housing and 18 units in Carriage Court Apartments.

In Kimberley: Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays is getting $108,700 for 23 units in Gatehouse Gardens; Kimberley Seniors Project Society is getting $16,500 for 12 units at 650 Church Avenue; and Marysville Lions Housing Society, $2,600 for 35 units in Valleyview Lodge.

The Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society will receive $1,140 for 30 units in Lilac Terrace and Sparwood Seniors Citizens’ Society $55,900 for 40 units in The Seniors’ Villa.

“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.

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.

Lead image: 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.)

Columbia Basin Trust

Article Share