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Ontario Housing Co-ops: Energy-Efficient Growth
Date
14 February 2022
Enbridge Gas offers a program that will mean energy savings for Ontario housing co‑operatives (customers only) that are planning to add new units.
The Savings by Design Program is for new-construction projects, either low-rise or multi-family elevator buildings. The goal of the program is to
Is your co-op taking advantage of funding programs?
Date
30 March 2022
From new construction to sustainability upgrades, a housing co-op always has projects on its wish list.
Fortunately, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and other organizations offer funding programs that your co-op can use to turn those wish-list items into reality.
CMHC Seed
Managing Your Business
Housing co-operatives are small businesses formed to provide housing for their members. They prosper best when they are fully occupied and members pay their housing charges in full and on time.
A housing co-op is not a complex business, but it takes work to keep it going. As the steward of your
Protecting the Environment
This world is the only one we have. Investing in sustainability will save your co-op money and protect future generations too.
Check out ideas from the Agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and others that will help reduce your co-op’s
Save Water
Sounds simple, but if every member uses less water, you can shrink your co-operative’s water bill, leaving more money for other priorities. Water rates may rise in future; now is the time to take action.
Use Less Energy
Are outdoor lights on sensors or timers? Has your co-op switched to LED lighting in your common spaces? Good investment! Not only will it use 75 to 90 % less electricity than incandescent, but the bulbs will last much longer.
Encourage your members to cut energy use too. They can turn down the
Grants and Loans
Grants and loans come and go, as government priorities change at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Those that support environmental sustainability in not-for-profit housing are no different. Opportunities can change without notice, so when you discover one, go for it right away.
Plant a Garden
Even a modest property can look beautiful when it includes colourful gardens and mature trees. People will want to live there and the co-op’s neighbours will love you.
Some co-ops have generous outdoor common space with plenty of room for a community garden. Others were built almost to the lot line
Your Environmental Sustainability Policy
Co-ops that care about climate change and want to shrink their environmental footprint should consider approving their own Environmental Sustainability Policy. A model is available from the Co‑operative Housing Federation of Canada. It was written so that you can easily remove any points that don’t
Tip of the Month
Infectious Arrears
In co-ops where board members are behind on their housing charges, the amount all members owe is almost four times higher than in co-ops where board members pay on time. This number speaks for itself.