FCM and Canada announce $66.3M for 162 energy efficient housing projects

The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced that $66.3 million in funding has been approved for 162 energy efficiency projects across the country.

The investments were made through the Green Municipal Fund’s (GMF) Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) and Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiatives and include capital projects, program design studies, and feasibility studies.  

“Energy efficiency is an affordability solution. Together with the Government of Canada, FCM’s Green Municipal Fund is helping Canadians lower their energy bills, improve their homes and build greater resilience to rising costs and a changing climate. This $66.3 million investment shows what strong federal-municipal partnership can deliver: practical solutions that improve people’s lives and can be scaled in communities across the country,” said Carole Saab, FCM CEO.

Included in this announcement is $34.6 million for 21 projects through GMF’s Community Efficiency Financing initiative. This initiative is empowering municipalities and their partners to provide financing options for homeowners to reduce costs through energy efficiency home upgrades. On average, homeowners save 30 per cent in energy costs following CEF-funded upgrades.  

The financing programs are designed and administered by municipalities, utility providers, and third-party partners, and are built to remove the financial barriers that have historically kept energy upgrades out of reach for many Canadian homeowners.  

Since launching in 2020, CEF-funded retrofit programs have been established in 47 municipalities across eight provinces, with over 16,000 homeowners anticipated to access home energy retrofits as a result. Today’s announcement represents 21 programs of that portfolio, spanning communities from Atlantic Canada to British Columbia. 

“Through today’s $66.3 million investment, affordable housing providers and homeowners in communities across Canada have access to the tools and support they need to reduce energy costs, while improving home comfort and providing greater protection from price shocks. These are real results that will impact the lives of thousands of Canadians, and FCM is proud to work alongside the Government of Canada as we continue this critical work,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President.

The announcement also includes $31.6 million for 141 projects through GMF’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative (SAH). The SAH initiative launched in 2020 as a six-year, $300-million program to support not-for-profits, co-ops, and municipalities to retrofit existing housing and construct new, energy-efficient homes. To date, the program has supported more than 3,700 units across the country reducing emissions, lowering operating costs and improving housing quality.  These projects are empowering rural, urban, and remote communities to address urgent housing shortages, build economic resilience, and enhance the quality of life for families, seniors, and individuals in need. 

Regional breakdown of funded projects:

Featured image: (Government of Canada)