SAH- Assessing the deep energy retrofit of the McLaren Hotel to offer 150 units of affordable housing in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - SAH
Sector
Energy
Project value$173,062
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
Building – Existing – Energy efficiency
Grant amount$86,530
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Winnipeg, MB
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
749,607
Project timeline
2022 - 2023
Project number
18288
Description
The Equal Housing Initiative (EHI) is applying to the study grant to evaluate how best to retrofit the McLaren Hotel (built in 1910) to the United Nations Standards of Adequate Housing. EHI envisions renovating the entire 150 units in different phases to avoid resident displacement. The units will remain in the form of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) which will be designed to include supportive services for residents.
A walkthrough performed by a Regional Energy Coach (REC) informed EHI of several opportunities to achieve a 25% energy reduction. The proposed measures include a more-efficient building envelope, windows, doors, insulation, heating, cooling, lighting, water, appliances, and piping. This retrofitting work also aims to prevent the emission of 38 tons of CO2 and obtain utilities savings of an estimated $10,543 per year.
The SAH study Grant will support the applicant in hiring professionals to complete a comprehensive Building Assessment and an American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) level 2 energy audit. Results from this study will support the organization in accessing additional funding from FCM for their capital project.
Innovative aspect(s):
Replicability:
SRO is an approach used to convert hotels into housing. Generally, such retrofits are done in buildings that are often structurally dated causing poor living conditions for tenants. EHI aims to build a viable, innovative, and replicable framework to redevelop the SRO sector in Winnipeg, which could replicate to other urban areas across the country. In this regard, this project will develop resources that can be shared with other organizations in the sector during and at completion.
Affordability:
All 150 units will be offered at 75% below the local MMR of Winnipeg and tenants will be assisted by the Manitoba Employment Income Assistance Benefits program.
A walkthrough performed by a Regional Energy Coach (REC) informed EHI of several opportunities to achieve a 25% energy reduction. The proposed measures include a more-efficient building envelope, windows, doors, insulation, heating, cooling, lighting, water, appliances, and piping. This retrofitting work also aims to prevent the emission of 38 tons of CO2 and obtain utilities savings of an estimated $10,543 per year.
The SAH study Grant will support the applicant in hiring professionals to complete a comprehensive Building Assessment and an American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) level 2 energy audit. Results from this study will support the organization in accessing additional funding from FCM for their capital project.
Innovative aspect(s):
- This retrofit project follows a model called the “venture philanthropy model” in which a privately owned building, in this case a historical hotel, is donated to an affordable housing provider.
- EHI has been developing and piloting a practicum program comprised of a multidisciplinary team of students (social worker, addiction and peer outreach worker, psychology) from the University of Manitoba, Booth College, and Université de Saint Boniface. This program will be providing both unique educational opportunities for students and appropriately aligned support systems to residents.
Replicability:
SRO is an approach used to convert hotels into housing. Generally, such retrofits are done in buildings that are often structurally dated causing poor living conditions for tenants. EHI aims to build a viable, innovative, and replicable framework to redevelop the SRO sector in Winnipeg, which could replicate to other urban areas across the country. In this regard, this project will develop resources that can be shared with other organizations in the sector during and at completion.
Affordability:
All 150 units will be offered at 75% below the local MMR of Winnipeg and tenants will be assisted by the Manitoba Employment Income Assistance Benefits program.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
Equal Housing Initiative Inc., MB