Retrofitting Affordable Housing and Why It Matters Now
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Many regions in Canada are growing fast. The Halton Region in Ontario is no exception. By 2031, more than a million people are expected to call this area home.
That kind of growth puts pressure on housing, infrastructure, and the climate all at once.
The good news is that a big part of the solution already exists. It’s the affordable housing we have right now.
Instead of building endlessly outward, it is possible to get more value out of existing homes through smart, practical retrofits. These upgrades lower emissions, cut utility costs, and make life more comfortable for residents, all without tearing buildings down.
Why Focus on Housing Retrofits?
Most housing-related emissions don’t come from construction. They come later, from daily energy use.
A few key facts help explain the urgency:
Residential energy use makes up nearly one-fifth of Ontario’s total demand
About two-thirds of that energy goes to heating and cooling
Extreme heat, flooding, and ice storms are becoming more common
In 2024 alone, Canada saw over $9 billion in insured losses from extreme weather
Older buildings weren’t designed for this reality. Retrofitting helps them catch up.
Where the Halton Region Stands Today
Our research focused on the Halton Region in Ontario, an area typical of many Canadian communities. Halton Community Housing Corporation manages a mix of townhomes and apartment buildings across Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills. Many have already seen upgrades, but most of those were basic maintenance.
What’s missing is a strong sustainability lens.
That’s where targeted retrofits come in. The policy brief highlights four buildings, two family townhome complexes and two senior apartment buildings, as ideal candidates. They vary in age and layout, but all share the same opportunity, reducing emissions while improving daily living.
The Most Effective Retrofit Options
Rather than doing everything at once, this brief focuses on strategies that work across different building types.
1. Solar panels
Rooftop solar and parking lot canopies generate clean power right where it’s used.
Benefits include:
Lower electricity bills for residents or housing providers
Reduced strain during peak pricing hours
Payback periods of about 8 years
Panels that last 25 years or more
After installation costs are recovered, that’s years of near-free energy.
Government incentives can shorten the payback even further.
2. Heat pump HVAC systems
Air source heat pumps are a strong alternative to traditional heating.
They:
Provide both heating and cooling
Work efficiently in Canadian climates
Improve comfort during heat waves
Cut greenhouse gas emissions
With extreme heat becoming more common, cooling is no longer a luxury. It’s a health issue.
3. Low-flow washroom fixtures
This is one of the simplest upgrades with immediate returns.
Switching to efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators can:
Save tens of thousands of litres of water per unit each year
Lower water and energy bills
Reduce pressure on sewage systems
Many older buildings still use fixtures from the 1990s or earlier. The difference in water use is dramatic.
4. Greenery and nature-based solutions
Plants do more than just look nice.
Depending on the site, options include:
Tree planting and native landscaping
Community gardens with rainwater collection
Green roofs on flat-roof buildings
These features cool surrounding areas, manage stormwater, and support mental health. For seniors, especially, access to green space matters.
A Practical Path Forward
Retrofitting affordable housing isn’t flashy. It’s not a single headline-grabbing project.
But it works.
These upgrades support climate goals, protect residents from extreme weather, and keep housing affordable over the long term. The upfront costs are real, but so are the savings.
If Canada wants sustainable housing that lasts, this plan for Halton County gives us strategies for where to start.
Lark Scientific’s Role
Lark Scientific supported this research as part of its collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s EWEAL program, providing technical expertise and resources to help bridge academic insights with practical municipal applications. By contributing to evidence-based environmental solutions like green roof retrofits, Lark Scientific is helping accelerate climate adaptation strategies in communities across Canada.