New Pilot Program Offers Funding to Retrofit Market Rental Buildings

July 18, 2023

The City of Vancouver has launched the Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator (RARA) pilot program to future-proof existing rental buildings, making them more resilient to the impacts of climate change, while improving energy efficiency, increasing indoor comfort and decreasing emissions with minimal impacts to tenants.

“Collaborating with other levels of government and partners is key to making housing more resilient to extreme weather events,” says Mayor Ken Sim. “By upgrading our existing rental buildings, we’re prioritizing safety, health and comfort while making Vancouver’s housing stock more energy efficient.”

Funded by the City in partnership with CleanBC and BCHydro, and administered through LandlordBC, the RARA program has $3.5 million in grant funds available for owners of market rental buildings to undertake critical energy retrofit upgrades, including building electrification and fuel-switching using new heat pump technology. Findings from the pilot program will inform future investment in Vancouver’s existing rental stock while maintaining stable tenancies.

“Our government’s goal is to make homes as energy efficient, comfortable and affordable as possible, to use less energy and to reduce the environmental impact of existing buildings,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We are pleased to partner with the City of Vancouver to help with the upfront costs that come with home energy retrofits so people can benefit from greater energy efficiency.”

Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator benefits include

  • Retrofitting and electrifying Vancouver’s existing buildings with air source heat pumps will add cooling and create healthier, more comfortable and safer living spaces during extreme heat and forest fire smoke events. 
  • Upgrading space heating, water heating and ventilation to low carbon and more energy efficient versions will improve comfort and may reduce operational costs. 
  • Assisting building owners with the tools to plan for other building retrofits and monitoring ongoing energy consumption will support future upgrades. 
  • Technical and administrative support along with clear expectations for landlords to effectively retrofit buildings will minimize impacts on residents and maintain stable tenancies. 

Earlier this year, City council also directed staff to establish an incentive-based program that targets existing and older multi-family buildings, with the objective of reducing emissions and also providing cooling. This direction helped catalyze additional partnerships and funding for the RARA program.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1[i], 26th Edition – A Road Map: Section 28 – Motors and Generators

    Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1[i], 26th Edition – A Road Map: Section 28 – Motors and Generators

    Rule 28-000 – Scope states that Section 28is a supplementary or amendatory section of the code and provides additional and specific requirements for the installation, wiring methods, conductors, protection, and control of all motors and generators. Read More…

  • Statement by ECAO Executive Director, Graeme Aitken on Tariffs

    Statement by ECAO Executive Director, Graeme Aitken on Tariffs

    February 7, 2025 ECAO posted the following statement from Executive Director, Graeme Aitken on their website regarding potential U.S. Tariffs: For almost 80 years, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Ontario (ECAO) has served and represented the interests of Ontario’s industry-leading, unionized electrical contractors. Over those many decades, ECAO has stepped up during times of challenge… Read More…

  • Rigid PVC Conduit vs. ENT in High-Rise and Multi-Use Applications

    Rigid PVC Conduit vs. ENT in High-Rise and Multi-Use Applications

    February 7, 2025 By Phil Crangi Choosing the right high-rise construction conduit can significantly impact project efficiency and costs. While rigid PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) conduit may have a lower upfront cost, ENT (Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing) offers more significant advantages due to its long-term labor savings and installation efficiency. ENT and fittings form an integrated system… Read More…

  • EFC Tariff Response: Advocating for Free Trade

    EFC Tariff Response: Advocating for Free Trade

    February 7, 2025 STATEMENT FROM CAROL MCGLOGAN, PRESIDENT & CEO, ELECTRO-FEDERATION CANADA ON U.S. TARIFFS Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), representing Canada’s electrical and automation industry, strongly opposes the recent tariffs announced (an subsequently delayed) by President Trump on Canadian imports. These tariffs threaten to disrupt North American supply chains, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and… Read More…


Changing Scene