Shared open spaces in newly built housing blocks
All images were taken by the Urban Retrofit team unless indicated.
Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS)
Background
AHANS is a non-profit housing association playing a pivotal role in Nova Scotia’s efforts to upgrade and repurpose older affordable housing stock to make it more energy efficient and climate resilient while also improving tenant well-being. AHANS oversees a mix of small family units, seniors’ housing and multi-storey apartment buildings, many of which were built pre-1980. Their ambitions are significant and include achieving a significant reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while preserving both affordability and architectural character. AHANS has sought to prioritise tenant engagement, education and community partnerships through both retrofitting and new build housing projects.
Human Centred Retrofit Strategy
At the heart of AHANS’s approach is an understanding that residents are not just beneficiaries but also participants in the process of energy reduction. Projects begin with proactive engagement: in the newly built blocks, for insntance, staff conduct door-to-door conversations, provide custom manuals for new energy efficient appliances and technologies and work with residents to tailor upgrades for real-world use. Energy monitoring is implemented at the unit level which ensures that tenants and housing managers have real-time feedback on energy usage.
At the same time, this helps AHANS to provide targeted outreach when tenant behaviours or technical issues impact energy performance. These efforts are complemented by hands-on support for tenants needing extra help, such as regular dryer lint filter checks and one-on-one tutorials.
AHANS combines physical upgrades, including the installation of heat pumps, insulation, double-glazing and smart energy systems, with strategies that support the behaviour change required for success. By having tenants pay their own utilities, a practice which varies in Canadian social housing, AHANS creates an incentive for tenants to change their energy habits. The approach applies in both retrofit and new build housing. Ongoing engagement is prioritised, so outcomes are measured in both comfort and savings
Location:
Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Typology:
Community-led Social Housing Retrofit and Adaptive Reuse
Time frame:
2020–2025
Challenges
Retrofitting older affordable housing stock to make them more energy efficient poses significant technical and financial obstacles. Fully achieving ‘net-zero’ performance is especially difficult within existing and older buildings because deeper upgrades require more complex integration of insulation, heat pumps, airtight windows and smart controls. This also makes it difficult to maintain affordability and minimise disruption to residents. High initial costs and lengthy payback periods also generate complex funding problems.
Government initiatives such as grants and rebates typically require non-profits to frontload capital and navigate extensive reporting across multiple programmes. This can put a strain on both cash flow and administrative capacity.
Tenant buy-in adds another layer of complexity. Successful retrofits depend on residents adopting new behaviours such as properly operating heating systems and conducting routine maintenance on new appliances. Ensuring consistent tenant education is delivered and establishing incentives, such as structuring rent to reward energy saving behaviour, requires ongoing outreach and support from housing managers. Technical skills gaps in the retrofit workforce, supply chain delays and post-renovation performance validation also present ongoing risks.
Newly constructed three storey housing block
Implementation and Community Partnerships
The model developed by AHANS is framed around leveraging community goodwill and sustaining partnerships with local contractors, suppliers and government funders. Project managers emphasise using consistent, durable materials and products to make sure maintenance is easy and predictable for managers and tenants alike.
Vacancy management is also a part of AHANS’s implementation strategy because it attempts to time large-scale projects with tenant turnover. This minimises disruption and means that upgrades can be delivered comprehensively rather than on a piecemeal basis. AHANS also attempts to repurpose building materials as much as possible and, where feasible, incorporates local workforce training into the construction process. While these initiatives can result in complex funding arrangements, AHANS’s robust relationships with suppliers and contractors tends to offset the type of upfront cash flow risks often faced by smaller non-profit housing providers.
Results
AHANS’s human-centred retrofit model has delivered substantial savings in energy and utility costs, plus enhanced living conditions and tenant satisfaction. Concerted efforts to improve smart monitoring and post-occupancy support mean the organisation can quickly identify problems and offer solutions
The model’s flexibility allows for more responsive action to climate risks and evolving tenant needs, cementing AHANS’s leadership role in Nova Scotia’s affordable housing and retrofit sector.
Lessons learned
Engaged Tenant’s Drive Retrofit Success
Face-to-face education is time consuming but builds trust and enables behaviour change while also having a positive impact on energy savings.
Vacancy Management and Continuous Support Minimises Disruption
By timing upgrades with tenant turnover and supporting residents throughout, comfort and satisfaction are maximised.
Community Partnerships Can Reduce Costs
Local contractor and building supplier relationships and goodwill underpin sustainable delivery
Retrofitting is Holistic, not Just Technical
Outcomes must be measured in comfort, health and liveability alongside emissions and cost reductions.
Resilience is not a Means to an End
Continuous tenant engagement and adaptive retrofit strategies respond to changing climate, funding and tenant needs, ensuring lasting community benefit.