Our Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Create coordinated heat responses plans to protect community housing tenants from extreme heat
This includes enhancing partnerships to promote promote better co-ordination of programs and policies directed toward community housing tenants; the addition of heat-related illness to syndromic surveillance; and implementation of a community scorecard such as the Plan Integrate Response System (PIRS).
Recommendation 2
Adjust government policy, code, funding, and programs to protect community housing tenants
Government regulations, policies, and programs must be modernized to adapt to the challenge extreme heat is imposing on community housing tenants. Updated building codes, tailored funding programs, and setting a maximum indoor air temperature will lead to climate resiliency in the fact of extreme heat.
Recommendation 3
Leverage holistic land use and urban design practices to reduce the impact of urban heat islands on community housing in the mid- to long-term
Tackling extreme heat requires rethinking our cities. Through urban tree canopy coverage, green infrastructure, a variety of land uses that support robust community amenities, the natural environment, urban design, and land use planning will mitigate extreme heat and support green communities.
Recommendation 4
Generate more private investment to support the development of climate resilient community housing through replicating and scaling up proven approaches.
Private investment has an important role to play in extreme heat adaptation. Funds should be raised to support climate resilience in community housing through the removal of taxes on municipal bonds, funding energiesprong Canada, utilization of social impact bonds and community bonds, creation of a social impact REIT, and deployment of energy service companies.
