Oct 28th, 2021

News Release: OCHC joins the Race to Zero Pledge

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(OTTAWA, ON) October 28, 2021 – Ottawa Community Housing Corporation is proud to announce we are joining the City of Ottawa’s Race to Zero Pledge amongst organizations such as Carleton University, Minto and the National Arts Centre.
Along with our partners at the City, we have joined a United Nations-led coalition of cities, businesses and institutions to enact climate action.
The pledge aligns with OCHC’s own Energy and Conservation Strategy, which aims to reduce our carbon footprint by using the highest standards of sustainable design practices for new buildings and retrofits. As part of that plan, we also added green infrastructures – such as 36 solar arrays in communities across the city and solar walls.
Much of the work to move towards a more sustainable and greener portfolio depends on funding commitments from partners at all levels of government. One example is the recent $200 million commitment from the CMHC and Co-Investment Fund, which will allow us to complete deep-energy retrofits on several buildings. This will allow us to reduce our carbon emissions by 7,000 tonnes per year – the equivalent of taking 1,512 cars off the road every year.
Quotes
“I am pleased OCHC is a part of this historic moment. At OCHC, a dedicated team of Conservation and Sustainability staff work each and every day to innovate and find ways to reduce our carbon footprint, make our portfolio more energy efficient and divert waste, while increasing tenant comfort. We sign this agreement to acknowledge our achievements and commit to continuing that sustainable work for our communities, the City and beyond.”
 – Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, OCHC 
“As the City’s largest landlord, it is crucial that Ottawa Community Housing aligns with the City’s Climate Change Master Plan. Recent buildings such as the PEER project in Overbrook and the passive house at 811 Gladstone – which is currently the largest passive house in Canada – show that OCHC is committed to sustainable development. Signing this pledge is another important step towards zero emissions by 2050.”
– Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and OCHC Board Chair 
Quick Facts

• The Corporations 36 solar arrays and three solar walls produce 400,000 kWh each year – enough power to charge 9 million smartphones
• An innovative Prefabricated Exterior Energy Retrofit Project (PEER) in Overbrook was recently completed that turned four, 60-year townhomes into net-zero homes – meaning they produce as much energy as they consume. It was named as one of the country’s Clean50 Top Projects by Delta Management and is the first of its kind in Canada.
• Energy retrofits have saved $38 million in utility costs over the last 10 years.
• In the last 10 years, OCHC has reduced its carbon emissions from 36,000 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes (the equivalent of taking 1,512 vehicles off the road).
• OCHC has built the largest affordable housing building certified Passive House in Canada at 811 Gladstone

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 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
Communications
media@och.ca
613-914-9953
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