The panelists took turns to discuss their take on current opportunities in the housing sector. They highlight that:

• We now have the ability to collect climate related housing data and create information databases that stakeholders can use.
• We recognize that collaboration is needed and despite the imperfection of climate data, the insight it provides is critical.
• There is an abundance of federal support and investments.

The timing is opportune, with Canada’s climate goals aligning with the findings of the solutions labs’ experts.

Panelists agreed that now is the time create a more robust industry and think outside the box by proposing innovative approaches such as electrifying buildings, etc. Overlap in the solutions labs interest are in the areas of policy development, mission driven retrofits, advancing the supply chain, and building useful toolkits and packages.

To make the most of these opportune conditions the group agreed that there is a need for all levels of government to prioritize that we are having a housing crisis coinciding with a climate crisis, and to mobilize solutions accordingly. Participants concluded that the housing sector needs to:

• Overcome costing complexities in deep retrofits
• Provide access to availability
• Devise financing mechanisms
• Remove regulation barriers
• Stimulate change by motivation

Similarly, Governments need to provide better data on total life cycle costs, to account for externalities, and to level the playing field between climate compatible, affordable housing and non-climate compatible non-affordable housing. And lastly, developers need to determine to what standard their buildings should be built.

For those interested in taking part in the upcoming round of the solutions lab, the next call for proposals will be open starting September 13^th, 2021.