Non-profit housing retrofit grants

We offer two types of grants based on your project phase: planning grants, and capital and implementation support grants. Applicants are welcome to apply for both.

Planning grants.

Get grants up to $80,000 to support planning for deep energy and carbon retrofit projects such as:

• Replacing natural gas-fired heating, hot water, ventilation, and air conditioning with electric systems
• Improving energy efficiency
• Adding cooling and improving ventilation
• Other measures that enable buildings to withstand the negative effects of a changing climate

Grants can be used in combination with other funding programs.

You can use these grants for:

• Portfolio planning
• Feasibility studies
• Building energy studies
• Energy modelling
• Other plans and studies required for retrofit projects
• Added organization capacity to support retrofit planning
• Other projects that support a pathway to net-zero and climate resilience

Organizations that have 10+ multi-unit residential buildings in their portfolio are eligible for:

• an additional $30,000 to support net-zero portfolio planning, and
• up to $160,000 in planning grants to support planning for a minimum of two buildings.

Capital and implementation support grants.

Capital grants can support Vancity members who undertake retrofit projects that will achieve a minimum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 30%, and move a building along a pathway toward net-zero emissions. Grants can be used to cover:

• Equipment
• Labour and engineering
• Electrical capacity upgrades

Additional funding for implementation support is available with capital grants. Implementation funding can be used to cover costs such as:

• Project management
• Commissioning
• Training for building management staff

The maximum grant funds available per application is $99,000. This includes:

• 10% of capital costs, up to $90,000
• Up to 10% of capital grant for implementation support

Organizations that have 10+ multi-unit residential buildings in their portfolio are eligible to receive up to $180,000 in capital grants and up to $18,000 in implementation support for retrofit projects in a minimum of two buildings.

Projects not in alignment with a net-zero pathway are not eligible for capital or implementation support grants. For example, projects that include upgrades to existing, or the installation of new, gas-powered space heating/cooling or domestic hot water systems will not be funded. Hybrid systems are also ineligible.

Eligibility.

You are eligible to participate in the program if your organization is:

• A non-profit housing society or a non-profit housing co-operative
• An active Vancity member in good standing

Not a member?
Connect with our Community Investment team and learn about all the ways we can support your organization.

How to apply.

Review the grant guidelines document which includes all the information you’ll need to fill out the application form.

Once we receive your completed application, we’ll follow up within three weeks and if required, request additional information or a meeting to further discuss your project.