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.
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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
Ontario Electricity Support Program
Date
1 January 2016
The Agency has learned about several Ontario programs that can help co-ops and their members save energy—and money. While your co-op will need to invest some money in order to benefit in some initiatives, these measures offer long-term value. If this idea interests your co-op, you may wish to check
SAVE ON ENERGY for Co-op Housing
Date
23 December 2015
This program is delivered through participating local electrical utilities. It involves energy-efficient incentives for co-ops with buildings of six or more separate units.
Options include support for:
- Energy audits
- Equipment upgrades
- Improvement of the building envelope
- Training to help
Government of Canada Announces First Ever National Housing Strategy
Date
4 December 2017
The federal government has unveiled their National Housing Strategy. This document will set forth the next generation of social housing policy for Canada and builds on the investments that were contained in the 2017 federal budget. Specifically, the strategy announced detailed plans to protect long
CHF Canada Greener Co-op Microgrant
Date
28 March 2018
Would you like your co-op to have a positive impact on the environment? Do you want to decrease your consumption of non-renewable resources and save money while doing it? Maybe you’d like to start a community garden, or install a few rain barrels? Do you want to explore adding solar panels or a roof
Information Sheet - Energy Audits
The Agency for Co-operative Housing
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Plans in Action
The average co-op with an approved capital replacement plan tucks away more than $3,600 per unit in reserves each year--triple the 2007 amount. Does their future hold better windows? New kitchens? Savings mean more choices.