An innovative approach to addressing homelessness in rural Newfoundland and Labrador
How a Regional Energy Coach helped Otter Housing plan for net-zero housing in rural Newfoundland and Labrador
Project Duration: -
SUSTAINABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
About Otter Housing Association
In rural Newfoundland and Labrador, the Otter Housing Association (OHA) is taking significant strides to address homelessness through an innovative housing project in Port Rexton. The initiative, which plans to construct between 12 units, is designed to offer both affordable and rent-geared-to-income options. Notably, the project is committed to sustainability and energy efficiency, aiming to set a benchmark for Net Zero Energy developments in rural areas. The OHA project will be amongst the first bringing the innovative concepts of communal Sustainable Affordable Housing options and Zero Carbon Building standards to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This project aims to be the first certified Zero Carbon Building Design project in the province — a significant step in the right direction, towards a more sustainable construction culture.
Planning for sustainability
Funded by the Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) planning grant, OHA has commenced an extensive planning phase to incorporate advanced low-carbon building technologies. This includes hiring an energy efficiency consultant and an architect with expertise in sustainable practices to oversee the project design. The association is exploring modular construction to streamline the building process while maintaining high energy efficiency standards, and is also investigating the use of solar photovoltaic systems to ensure the buildings can generate as much energy as they consume.
Innovative features for replicability
The project is characterized by several innovative features that promise wide replicability. It focuses on achieving Net Zero Energy status by prioritizing energy generation and conservation, and utilizes prefabricated modules to minimize construction waste and duration, providing a scalable model for similar rural housing initiatives.
Securing future funding
Following the initial planning, OHA plans to seek further study grants from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to refine their construction methods based on early findings. Insights from this phase will guide future applications for capital project funding through FCM and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Social and environmental impacts
The social and environmental impacts of this project are significant. The SAH planning grant funded research on co-housing in the United Kingdom, a region where co-housing developments have gained significant popularity. This research facilitated connections between OHA and nine co-housing communities, which notably included several Passivhaus certified developments. By providing stable, community-centred affordable housing, it directly addresses local homelessness, while its emphasis on Net Zero Energy and low-carbon technologies helps reduce the community's environmental footprint.
A model for rural housing solutions
The Otter Housing Association's initiative in Port Rexton is a prime example of how rural areas can tackle significant social challenges like homelessness through innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Supported by the REC program and SAH funding, this project not only delivers immediate benefits to those in need but also serves as a sustainable model for future developments in similar settings. As OHA progresses, its approach continues to inspire broader shifts toward sustainable and inclusive community planning.
To learn more about OHA and their project’s progress, visit them at otterhousing.ca
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
Related Resources
See All
Local energy generation
Energy
Webinar recording: New GMF funding and support to accelerate community energy systems
Watch our webinar to explore GMF’s new funded learning offer: Accelerating Community Energy Systems. Discover best practices, funding insights and strategies for your municipality.
Community efficiency financing
Energy | Housing
Unlocking the potential of PACE financing: A comprehensive report on Canadian legislation
Read our informative report to discover an overview of PACE legislation in Canada and learn how a PACE initiative can benefit your community.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Aspen Heights: Redefining affordable housing in Saskatoon
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Heartland Housing Foundation: Building a sustainable future in Fort Saskatchewan
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Building a better future: CABN’s net-zero affordable housing pilot
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Pine Tree Park: Transforming affordable housing with energy efficiency and solar power
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Rossland Yards: Transforming affordable housing in Rossland, BC
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy
Transforming communities with Sustainable Affordable Housing: Article series
In a series of six articles, we highlight impactful projects funded by GMF's Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative, demonstrating how energy-efficient, community-centered housing can foster resilience and well-being.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
YWCA Banff: Building stability and community through affordable housing
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Regional Energy Coach list
Get in touch with a Regional Energy Coach in your region and start your energy efficiency journey
Municipal and community buildings
Energy
Webinar recording: Accelerate your community’s net-zero transformation with new GMF funding
Watch our webinar to discover how GMF’s new funding can help you upgrade infrastructure and reduce local GHG emissions.
Community efficiency financing
Energy
Webinar recording: The real impact of home-energy efficiency financing
Watch our webinar to discover how you can achieve your climate goals by implementing a home-energy efficiency financing program in your community
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy
Webinar recording: Transform your approach to energy efficiency with the Housing Providers’ Toolkit
Watch the discussion on how to take advantage of the Housing Providers’ Toolkit.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Project cash flow calculator
Our energy project calculator is designed to aid housing providers in quantifying the associated costs of sustainable, affordable housing projects. Use the calculator to understand the viability of a potential project and make informed decisions.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Funders list for sustainable affordable housing
Access additional funding sources from across Canada to support your next affordable housing project.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Toolkit: Navigating energy-efficient affordable housing projects
Discover a toolkit designed for affordable housing providers aiming to prioritize energy efficiency. This toolkit offers insights into the benefits of energy-efficient housing, addresses unique challenges, and provides practical tools to identify solutions.
Municipal and community buildings
Energy
Webinar recording: How to start reducing GHG emissions in community buildings
Watch the discussion on how to create a GHG reduction pathway for community buildings.
Municipal and community buildings
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: How to get a project started, tips for small francophone communities
If you’re a small francophone municipality looking to develop sustainability projects and access funding, watch this webinar to learn how others overcame common challenges.
Community efficiency financing
Energy
Community Efficiency Financing market guide
Guide to help Canadian municipalities assess potential home energy upgrade programs
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: Affordable housing providers’ impact on energy poverty
The webinar will feature a housing project helping moderate income households while achieving high environmental standards.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy
Understanding energy efficiency: A guide for affordable housing providers
This guide is for affordable housing providers, such as municipalities or housing cooperatives, interested in improving energy efficiency in their buildings.
Municipal and community buildings
Energy
Resource library: Community Buildings Retrofit
Find practical case studies and guidance for planning your local community building retrofit.
Community efficiency financing
Energy | Housing
Video: Nelson scales up local program to support home-energy upgrades
In this video, Carmen Proctor, Climate & Energy Manager at the City of Nelson, tells the story of the program’s success to date, shares key lessons learned from running the program, and highlights their next steps to scale up the program.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: Asset management and energy conservation
Learn how the non-profit housing sector can integrate energy management into asset management to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Community efficiency financing
Energy
Resources: Community Efficiency Financing
Read guidebooks and case studies to see how municipalities are designing home upgrade financing programs.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Video: 5 keys for sustainable social housing success
Gordon Szaszi, Project Manager Housing Development, shares Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) experience creating the business case for a 67-unit affordable housing development for seniors.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Video: 5 keys for sustainable social housing success
This video walks through the key sections of a successful business case: Needs Assessment, Organizational Readiness, Project Vision and Financials.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Resources: Sustainable Affordable Housing
Learn how to retrofit existing housing for energy-efficiency and plan new builds for higher performance.
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: Take your project from study to capital
Watch this webinar recording and discover how others have successfully converted studies into a capital project that provides social, economic and environmental benefits.
Energy
Webinar recording: The 5 keys to a green municipal project business case
Watch this webinar recording and discover the five critical focus areas you need to address to get your project started, from financing and partnerships to integrating a triple-bottom-line approach.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Video: 1,500 Toronto residents benefit from retrofit initiative
Bryan Purcell, of The Atmospheric Fund, tells the story of how an initiative to perform energy efficiency retrofits of 7 community housing buildings in Toronto achieved so much more.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy
Regional Energy Coaches
Regional Energy Coaches help affordable housing providers plan energy efficiency retrofits and new builds.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: Making affordable housing sustainable
Watch this webinar recording to learn about the various forms of grant, loan and capacity building support we offer to help you retrofit existing units or build new ones.
Municipal and community buildings
Energy
Factsheets: Municipal Energy Roadmap
These factsheets offer specific guidance around building-level solutions, community-level solutions, and long-term strategies to help you drill down and meet your objectives.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Factsheets: Sustainable Affordable Housing
Learn how to retrofit existing housing for energy-efficiency and plan new builds for higher performance.
Sustainable affordable housing
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: Apply for GMF’s Sustainable Affordable Housing funding
Watch this joint webinar hosted by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA to learn how to apply for FCM’s newest funding initiative – Sustainable Affordable Housing.
Energy | Housing
Webinar recordings: Best practices in municipal sustainability
How are cities and communities of all sizes tackling their environmental challenges? Find out from our five-part webinar series on innovations and opportunities in municipal energy, waste, water, transportation and land use initiatives.
Energy | Housing
Webinar recording: How to prepare a GMF capital project application
Need advice for preparing your GMF capital project funding application? Watch our webinar recording to hear tips from our staff and find out what reviewers are looking for.
Related Projects
See All
Community efficiency financing
Energy | Housing
Case study: Bringing energy efficiency to Saskatoon homes
Community efficiency financing
Energy | Housing