Toronto Community Housing's Building Renewal Program kicked off in 2005 and will continue at an accelerated pace in 2006. The Building Renewal Program puts into action our Community Management Plan commitment to improve and maintain the condition of our properties. Equally important, it is a key element of our Green Plan. It will deliver energy savings and help reduce our impact on the environment.

Up to $100 million will be invested in this initiative over four years. Phase One includes 19 developments, including more than 100 buildings with approximately 7,500 units in 15 of the former Community Housing Units. The buildings were chosen because they have higher-than-average utility costs as well as below-average building conditions as compared to other Toronto Community Housing properties.

Two private consulting firms (AMERESCO and MCW) have been hired to carry out the work and to engage tenants throughout the process.

The program will achieve three major outcomes:

1. Reduce energy consumption
2. Improve building conditions
3. Reduce the backlog of capital repairs

Energy savings will finance a significant portion of the capital costs. Urgent repairs, retrofits and renovations will come first, with energy-efficiency always being a key priority. Work includes items such as:

• Retrofit lighting (both in-suite & common areas)
• Building systems replacement and enhancement – heating and hot water boiler replacement & HVAC system enhancements
• In-suite domestic water (water conservation)
• Building envelope work, such as window retrofits and door replacement
• Balcony repair/replacement
• Security system improvements
• Toilet and appliance replacement (energy efficiency)
• Kitchen and bathroom improvements
• Lobby and corridor refurbishment
• Playgrounds, soccer fields, landscaping

Tenant consultation meetings

Tenant engagement is a vital component of the Building Renewal Program. Tenants contribute their ideas so that priorities can be set within the renewal section of the Building Renewal Program. The consulting firms and Community Housing Unit staff hold regular meetings with tenants to keep them engaged and up to date on the progress of work.

Tenants also get Building Renewal Program newsletters translated into 18 languages.

Interesting outreach activities in 2006 include:

• Promoting the Building Renewal Program to the public by placing large signs outside BRP sites
• Youth involvement - young tenants will pair up with adults and staff to conduct Building Renewal Program energy-conservations surveys of tenants and staff. They'll also participate in fun activities like the Energy-Hog Challenge and help teach others about how to save on energy use.
• Outreach through community leaders to tenants and ethnic groups who are not as strongly represented on Building Renewal Program committees.

Communities in Phase One

The following buildings were selected to be renewed in the first phase:

• Kingston Galloway
• Lawrence Orton
• Mornelle Ellesmere
• Morningside Ling
• Dunn Ave
• Blake Boultbee
• Moss Park
• Bleeker 1 & 2
• Jane Firgrove
• Jane Falstaff
• Agnes McPhail
• Kennedy Road
• Parkwoods Rayoak
• Kennedy Glamorgan
• 121 Humber Blvd
• Pellham Park
• Eglinton Markham
• Gerrard River

It is anticipated that the second phase of the Building Renewal Program (to include other buildings) will begin in about two years. The Building Renewal Program connects with the Toronto Community Housing's Green Plan as well as the Appliance Replacement Program and other capital renewal programs.