Feds invest $30K into planning for new net-zero affordable homes in Chilliwack

CHILLIWACK — A registered nonprofit charity in Chilliwack has received new federal funding to support low-cost housing while minimizing environmental impact.

Inclusion Chilliwack Society has received $30,000 from the Green Municipal Fund’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative to plan new net-zero homes, which will involve redeveloping an affordable housing site into an energy-ready 51-unit building in the city.

The $37,500 project joins over 160 others across Canada in helping people get home energy retrofit funding and build more energy-efficient homes, for a total investment of $66.3 million through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

“More energy-efficient homes mean lower energy bills for Canadians and fewer emissions for our environment,” said Julie Dabrusin, environment, climate change and nature minister. 

“Our government is helping people make energy-saving upgrades, advancing affordable housing solutions, and building a cleaner, more sustainable future for our country.”

The City of Chilliwack has previously received $105,000 for climate risk planning, as well as $68,750 for a feasibility study of fleet electrification, also through the Green Municipal Fund.

The exact location of the affordable housing site and the planning timeline have not yet been released.