Summary

• B.C. government is offering renewed supports to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in social, non-profit housing
• Eligible social housing providers, including non-profit organizations, co-operatives, local governments, provincial housing authorities and Indigenous housing providers, can now receive as much as $800,000 for equipment upgrades, including electrical upgrades
• Social Housing Energy Savings Program combines CleanBC electrification offers with existing utility energy-efficiency incentives to create a single, streamlined process for housing operators

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The Province is offering renewed supports to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in social and non-profit housing buildings.

“We are expanding support for social and non-profit housing providers to help them reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in their facilities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “The Social Housing Energy Savings Program offers increased incentives and makes it quicker and easier for housing operators to apply for cleaner and more energy-efficient upgrades.”

Social Housing Energy Savings Program

The Social Housing Energy Savings Program (SH-ESP), to be launched Feb. 19, 2026, combines CleanBC electrification offers with BC Hydro’s electrical energy-efficiency incentives to create a single, streamlined process for housing operators.

Under the SH-ESP, the Province’s incentives focus on low-carbon electrification measures, including:

• heat pump retrofits, including fuel-switching from gas or other fossil fuels
• associated building electrical system upgrades

New incentives complement BC Hydro offers

The Social Housing Energy Savings Program will accelerate climate-friendly solutions and deliver energy savings for the social housing sector throughout British Columbia.

• Eligible social housing providers – including non-profit organizations, co-operatives, local governments, provincial housing authorities and Indigenous housing providers – can now receive:
  • as much as $40,000 for feasibility studies
  • as much as $800,000 for equipment upgrades, including electrical system upgrades
• These incentives complement BC Hydro’s offers for energy-efficiency upgrades under the program, such as switching from an electric baseboard to electric heat pump.
• The SH-ESP improves the CleanBC Social Housing Incentive Program, which ended in September 2025, with three notable updates:
  • The maximum project cap has increased to $400,000 from $300,000, excluding electrical service upgrades.
  • Fifty per cent of funding can be provided up front, upon approval and signing of agreement.
  • The application process has been streamlined, making it easier for stakeholders to apply.
• The expanded program will help non-profit housing societies, co-ops, Indigenous governing bodies, charities and local/municipal housing authorities plan and implement upgrades across common areas and in suites.

Quotes:

Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs –

“Social housing providers are proud to be good neighbours in communities across this province. This funding helps housing providers reduce carbon pollution while creating good, healthy homes for the clients they serve. This fund helps everyone live happier, healthier lives.”

Jill Atkey, CEO, B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association –

“With more than 80,000 affordable homes across B.C., the non-profit housing sector has a critical role to play in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. This streamlined approach removes barriers and helps housing providers access the funding they need to upgrade aging buildings faster.”

Yasmin Abraham, president, Kambo Energy Group –

“From a lived-experience equity lens, we know that improving the efficiency of social housing shapes the day-to-day affordability and comfort for some of B.C.’s most vulnerable residents. By supporting social housing providers to improve the efficiency of their buildings and lower energy costs, the Social Housing Energy Savings Program creates space for those savings to support long-term affordability and housing stability for those who need it the most.”

Melina Scholefield, executive director, Zero Emissions Innovation Centre –

“Upgrading aging energy systems in social housing is essential to enabling healthy, efficient, climate-resilient and affordable housing. Building owners and operators need consistent support, which is why stable, long-term incentives like the Social Housing Energy Savings Program are key to delivering projects that get built. When combined with supportive policy and hands-on guidance, these incentives will help the Province deliver retrofits at scale and advance climate action. By accelerating heat pumps and other upgrades, this program will save energy, cut carbon and protect residents from extreme heat.”

Quick Facts:

• Housing providers may receive as much as $1.4 million per site when combining CleanBC-supported fuel-switching and electrification funding with BC Hydro’s energy-efficiency rebates.
• Social housing organizations can access all available supports in one place, helping them reduce operating costs, improve resident comfort and significantly cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Projects may take as long as 18 months to complete, with BC Hydro administering the program.
• The Social Housing Energy Savings Program is available provincewide for electrification funding, while BC Hydro’s electrical-efficiency incentives apply to buildings within BC Hydro and the City of New Westminster electric-service territories.

Learn More:

• For more information, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/stratas-housing-providers/social-housing-offers/social-housing-energy-savings-program.html