Oct 5th, 2021

Media release: OCHC’s PEER Retrofit Named as One of Canada’s Clean50 Top Sustainability Projects

(OTTAWA, ON) – October 4, 2021 – OCHC is proud to announce that our Prefabricated Exterior Energy Retrofit (PEER) pilot project has been selected as part of the Clean50 Top Projects Awards. 

It is an honour to be recognized by Delta Management’s Clean50 Award Program for recognizing sustainability leaders. The PEER Pilot Project was the first panelized, net-zero retrofit of its kind in Canada and it is an important step towards improving the energy efficiency of affordable housing. 

This retrofit involved the installation of prefabricated, insulated panels to the exterior of the home without the need to re-locate tenants. To be able to complete the work, staff constructed a workshop dedicated to the creation of panels and brought the research to life with their innovation and hard work.  

Ottawa Community Housing employees were among the incoming Clean50 honourees at the “Clean50 Summit 11.0” in Toronto on October 1. It was an opportunity for like-minded people to discuss critical sustainability challenges facing Canada and to celebrate the designated “Top Sustainability Project of the Year.”   

As part of those award ceremonies, OCHC also received the Vancity Investment Bank Community Champion Award. This award is designed to recognize “Community Builders” – organizations that are already community-focused and driving positive social & economic change. It is awarded to an organization that is primarily bringing community and social benefits and taking action to bring environmental change. 

The cumulative accomplishments of Canada’s Clean50 Top Projects in reducing and avoiding GHGs over the past two years adds up to a very big number. OCHC is grateful for the leadership, innovation and impacts these organizations have shown in the projects they have completed. 

Quotes 

“As the first of its kind in Canada, it’s fitting the PEER retrofit project was named as part of the Clean50 Awards. Ottawa Community Housing Corporation has once again proved to be a leader in the housing sector. I want to congratulate the team on all the work they are doing to increase affordable housing in our city, while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint.” 

– Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and OCHC Board Chair 

“At OCHC, it is with steadfast passion that we innovate to build sustainable communities for current tenants and future generations. Congratulations to all the other companies named, it’s exciting to see commitment for a better planet at work.” 

– Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, OCHC  

“OCHC seeks ways to innovate and complete new builds and retrofits, such our PEER project, using sustainable design practices. That is why we are honoured to be recognized as part of the Clean50 Awards.” 

– Cliff Youdale, Chief Development Officer, OCHC  

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“Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Awards are amongst the awards announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Canada’s Clean50 organization, to recognize the best sustainability oriented projects completed in Canada over the prior two years.  Projects are chosen based on a five “I”s criteria:  Impactful, Innovative, Inspiring, Informative and can readily be Imitated.” 

”Delta’s criteria in determining Project awards is to carefully consider a combination of actual measurable impact, demonstrated innovation, and the project’s ability to inspire others to imitate it – and Ottawa Community Housing Net-Zero PEER Pilot completed by Ottawa Community Housing is a terrific example.” 

– Gavin Pitchford, CEO, Delta Management Group 

About Delta Management Group / Canada’s Clean50:
Leading sustainability and cleantech search firm Delta Management Group in 2011 founded, and remains the steward of Canada’s Clean50 awards.  The awards were created to annually identify, recognize and connect 50 sustainability leaders, 10-20 Emerging Leaders and Top Projects from every sector of Canadian endeavour. The firm also annually convenes the Clean50 Summit, in order to facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation in the fight to keep human-caused climate impacts below 1.5 degrees.   

About OCHC: 
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses have a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second-largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. www.och-lco.ca  | Twitter  | LinkedIn  | Facebook  | Instagram

 Media Contact
Jennifer McIntosh
media@och.ca
613-914-9953