Cypress Gardens: A net-zero energy ready affordable housing plan in Comox

The Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society (CVAHS) is a non-profit organization that owns and operates three housing complexes for low-income seniors in Comox, British Columbia. This initiative will replace a 16-cottage unit development with a single 3-story apartment building, providing 52 one-bedroom apartments. GMF funding for this initiative would allow CVAHS to explore net-zero options on top of standard construction predevelopment funding secured from BC Housing. This initiative will evaluate the cost and energy savings of a high-performance building envelope, insulated doors and windows, ventilation, and heating and cooling integration. The goal is to measurably improve the energy efficiency of the planned project, increase energy and housing affordability, and improve resident comfort. Innovative aspect(s): · Since the apartment building replaces 16 cottages, preserving a single-home character was important to the designers. The building design incorporates visual elements to resemble a row of houses rather than a single apartment complex. These visual elements will encourage a sense of pride and belonging for the residents and reduce the likelihood of NIMBYism from neighbours. Replicability: · CVAHS intends to apply the knowledge learned from this new-build project in future developments or retrofits in its portfolio. · Project deliverables include a financial report and a separate environmental options report. This transparency can serve as guidance for future projects of a similar size in the affordable housing sector. Affordability: · In accordance with BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund Program, 20% of the units will benefit from significant subsidies, 50% will follow a rent-geared-to-income model, and 30% will serve moderate income earners. · At least 30% of the units will be less than 80% of the local median market rent. (Project description from original funding application)