Canada Invests in Deep Energy Retrofits for Affordable Housing in Hamilton

March 13, 2025

There is a need and an opportunity for Canada to strengthen energy security and affordability for all Canadians. Canada’s buildings sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions across the country. By increasing the scale and pace of building retrofits, we can make homes and buildings more energy-efficient and improve reliability in units. 

The federal government announced an investment of $10 million through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) for CityHousing Hamilton. The funding will help reduce energy consumption by more than 60 percent in affordable housing units.

Through this project, 123 CityHousing Hamilton townhouses will undertake deep energy retrofits, extending the life of the buildings, increasing tenant comfort in all seasons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is also contributing $14.3 million toward this project, and CityHousing Hamilton is contributing an additional $2.6 million.

The CityHousing Hamilton project is expected to include:

• improvements to the building envelope using prefabricated exterior wall, roof, window and door assemblies, which will improve efficiency and reduce heat loss;
• rooftop solar panels;
• energy-efficient electric heat pumps for central heating and cooling; and
• electric heat pump hot water tanks.

Together with additional upgrades, these retrofits are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent and energy use by 61 percent in the units. The project’s methods will reduce on-site labour time and overall project costs and minimize disruption for residents by allowing them to stay in their homes during the retrofit.

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