What we heard in previous engagement

In summer 2021, we engaged the public about their homes and about the barriers and opportunities of doing energy efficiency renovations.

Through a series of phone interviews, online workshops and focus groups, the key feedback we heard:

• Top climate-related motivations: improving indoor air quality, protection from wildfire smoke, cooling in hot summers, and reducing emissions
• Major barriers to renovate: the costs to renovate (renovations are a big-ticket life cost), challenges adding electrical loads, and finding trusted and reliable contractors
• Navigating the renovation process: it can be overwhelming. How to find consistent guidance to make informed decisions?
• City processes and permit wait times: getting a permit and navigating city requirements can be complex.
• Impact on homes and renters: will new policies lead to renovictions or home demolitions? At what point does it make more sense to redevelop a home?
• Building inspections: will inspector home visits lead to additional costs, or impact on illegal suites?
• Language and cultural barriers: challenge for a wide diversity of demographics to access information and programs
• Renters: they are reluctant to bring up the idea of undertaking retrofits with their landlord as rental is precarious and they didn’t want to risk losing their housing

This valuable feedback helped us shift the plan’s direction and develop solutions to address concerns. You can learn about our proposed solutions in the comment form.