Adapting Community Housing to Extreme Heat

Led by Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada (HICC) with support from Efficiency Nova Scotia, this two-part training will build capacity to act within community housing organizations, enabling them to understand heat risks, identify affordable solutions, and translate them into phased plans.

Session 1: From Risk to Options (January 21, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM AST)
Participants learn about the climate and housing context, complete a Vulnerability Checklist, and develop a menu of budget-friendly quick wins (O&M and minor retrofits). The session includes a live demonstration of climate resources and introduces the action planning template to be used in the following session.

Session 2: From Options to Phased Plans (January 27, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM AST)
The second session covers moderate retrofit options, funding and delivery pathways, and a five-step planning framework. In a hands-on studio, participants convert their selected measures into a one-page phased plan with timelines, funding considerations, and stakeholder identification.

Course Exercise

Participants will also complete a short exercise between sessions with support from a designated HICC contact or the Climate Help Desk, where they will assess a building, shortlist three low/moderate-cost measures, and note basic budget constraints. Participants who attend both sessions and complete the course exercise will receive a Certificate of Course Completion.

Outputs & Supports
By the end of this training program, each participant will have:

• A prioritized set of heat-resilience actions tailored to one building
• A draft phased plan
• A funding “hook” for at least one measure
• Project resources and templates
• Direct pathways to continued support from climate experts
• A Certificate of Course Completion

Your Experts: HICC

Chris Chen is a Manager in the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Directorate at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. He leads initiatives to strengthen climate resilience in community housing and public infrastructure, supporting municipalities and non-profit housing providers in adapting to extreme weather and future-proofing assets. Chris brings expertise in public policy, asset management, and intergovernmental collaboration. He is committed to helping communities address climate risks through practical, affordable solutions.

Glenn Milner is a Senior Advisor at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada within the Climate Toolkit Solutions Office. In his role, he develops approaches to build capacity within communities across Canada in managing low-carbon, climate-resilient housing and infrastructure. Glenn is a climate adaptation and risk management professional, a licensed Professional Engineer, and holds a master’s degree in climate change from the University of Waterloo.

Milad Rostami is a Policy and Program Advisor at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, where he works on strategies to improve housing resilience and affordability. With a Ph.D. in Building Engineering, Milad brings expertise in building performance assessment and climate-resilient housing design, bridging technical analysis with practical policy solutions. He is driven by a commitment to creating sustainable, affordable communities that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate.

Your Experts: Efficiency Nova Scotia

Charity Carr is a passionate housing advocate raised in the construction industry. She has worked extensively throughout the industry and is a certified construction site manager with the Professional Home Builders Institute. She is a certified energy manager and building science expert who holds accreditations from the AEE and CIET. She presently volunteers as a board director with the Canadian Home Builders Association of Nova Scotia and stands as a member of the Technical Research Management Committee and Net Zero Council nationally. In her current role, Charity is a business development manager with Efficiency Nova Scotia specializing in new construction and renovation of affordable housing.