Energy efficient affordable housing: policy design and implementation in Canadian cities

In Canada, social housing is defined as government-subsidized housing for individuals who cannot afford adequate and suitable housing in the private market. This housing support is often offered in partnership with private and public nonprofit organizations (Housing Services Corporation, 2013). Energy Efficient Affordable Housing: Policy Design and Implementation in Canadian Cities explores and analyzes the various approaches to and impact of energy efficiency programs on social housing in various Canadian cities and provinces. This book addresses the relationship between federal, provincial, and local governments related to energy efficiency, and presents several innovative approaches to leveraging public and private resources to improve affordability through retrofits and other improvements. The book is organized into eight sections, with an introduction, a review of federal and provincial policies focused on improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock, five chapters investigating energy efficiency programs and efforts in various provinces. It concludes with a chapter focused on future directions. The Canadian Economic Action Plan (CEAP) funded energy-efficient improvements and other programs aimed at stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the recession. Additionally, the CEAP included the Green Infrastructure Fund that targeted projects focused on improving environmental quality and sustainability into the future. Chapter 1, the introduction, Energy Efficient Retrofits and Policy Design for Sustainable Affordable Housing, lists the four research objectives addressed in this book: