By Hannah Schneider
Mid-winter, when windchills reach close to –40°C, it’s easy to forget that the global temperature has risen about 1.1°C since 1880. It may not seem like that big of a change, but it should be cause for alarm. That increase is driving extreme weather, more frequent and intense weather-related disasters, reducing sea ice and snow cover, and changing habitat ranges for plants and animals. Climate scientists say global warming exceeding 1.5°C could trigger several and lead to irreversible climate impacts.
What does this have to do with housing? Housing and climate are actually deeply interconnected. According to the UN, the climate crisis severely threatens the right to adequate housing around the world. Indigenous Peoples are more likely to live in inadequate housing and have disproportionately higher rates of homelessness, and as such, they are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Winnipeggers see firsthand this impact when entire communities are forced to evacuate their homes and move into the city due to wildfires or floods. Evacuations to the city may protect people from natural disasters, however, evacuees are presented with a new swath of risks upon arrival. They are placed in precarious housing, such as hotels, and in some cases, could end up on the street. Evacuees may face poor conditions in their placements, such as mould or cockroaches. Even worse, they may be kicked out of their rooms for reasons such as renovations, the government not paying the hotels, or perceived disturbances, leaving them unsheltered in an unfamiliar place.
Climate change is creating climate refugees and razing our already insufficient housing supply. Natural disasters were the main cause of internal displacement within the past decade, forcing an estimated 20 million people a year from their homes. Most recently, the fires in Los Angeles destroyed over 10,000 residential structures.
So, the question is: what can be done here at home? Coincidentally enough, the solution lies within housing itself. The carbon emissions generated through housing development, cooling and heating homes, and commuting contribute to the rising global temperature. About 39 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are produced by the construction industry.
What can housing developers and builders do?
1. Reduce the environmental impacts of construction sites
You ever walk by an active construction site, and all the vehicles are idling? That adds up. Experts suggest solutions such as using energy efficient vehicles, optimizing transportation to and from the worksite, using renewable energy onsite, and implementing a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).
2. Build green
With climate change and escalating energy costs, it’s more important than ever for developers to invest in sustainable design. Green roofs, solar panels, rainwater collecting systems, recycled materials, and energy-efficient windows and doors are all examples of prioritizing the environment in development.
What can governments do?
1. Refocus on reducing carbon emissions, prioritizing green energy, and sustainable development.
2. Sustainable urban development
Winnipeg’s Housing Accelerator Fund plan promotes density, development around major transit corridors, and the redevelopment of pre-existing properties and City-owned lots. Urban planning such as this reduces urban sprawl and encourages the use of public and active transportation.
What can I do?
1. Upgrade for energy efficiency
Proper insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and a little bit of caulking can go a long way to reduce your carbon footprint. Efficiency Manitoba offers rebates and consultations to improve the energy efficiency of your home, as well as multifamily buildings and businesses.
Touching on many of the elements listed above, The Tamarack Institute makes several recommendations on how to address both housing affordability and climate:
1. Converting vacant buildings into affordable housing units
2. Retrofitting
3. Passive houses and passive design
– Refers to any technology, construction methods, or other strategies that increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve indoor environmental quality, without the need for expensive and overly complex mechanical or energy systems.
– Encourages developers to set aside a percentage of newly constructed units to be affordable.
– Builds such as granny suites or carriage houses increase density and take pressure off the housing market at no expense to the public.
Sustainable construction and passive design are already top-of-mind for many affordable housing developers across the country. In fact, sustainable design makes housing cheaper to operate and rent. Here are some projects coming down the pipeline here in Winnipeg that I’m excited about:
Market Lands – Exchange District
Developer: UWCRC 2.0 & Centre Venture Development Corporation
Market Lands is a mixed-income, mixed-use project that is designed for net zero energy consumption. It will create 102 new apartment units, with half of those units affordable at 59 percent the median market rent. It is slated for completion in Spring 2026.
Solara Flats – 380 Colony
Developer: UWCRC 2.0 & Lotus Holdings
This 21-storey development is set to become the tallest net-zero carbon residential building in Canada. 86 of its 214 units will be affordable, rented for 59 – 69 percent the median market rent. It will provide year-round solar energy, promote natural lighting, and employs systems for highly efficient energy use. Solara Flats will open its doors Winter 2025.
With the consequences of climate change knocking at our door, it may seem hopeless. But there are things we can do to reduce our environmental impact as individuals and organizations. And we can even build some affordable housing along the way.
About the Author: Hannah Schneider is the Housing Supply Research Specialist at End Homelessness Winnipeg. She has a background in community engagement, outreach, qualitative data analysis, and lots of research and writing. She holds a BAH in Sociology at the University of Winnipeg.