The subsidized housing units in Drumheller are getting a much-needed makeover, not only for aesthetics, but also for energy efficiency.
The Drumheller Housing Administration, which stewards the provincially operated subsidized units in Huntington Hills and in the Greentree area, was able to secure a federal stimulus grant through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to make improvements to the properties.
Over the last three years, the Housing Administration has been able to replace 80 per cent of the furnaces, with high efficiency units. It also retrofitted the hot water tanks and toilets to save energy and water.
The administration has also been able to renovate the interiors of many of the 50 units as they have become vacant.
The last step of the process is replacing the siding, and right now crews are in the process of this renovation.
“Not only does it reduce our carbon footprint, but it also saves money with the energy improvements,” said Jay Garbutt chairman of the Drumheller Housing Administration.
He adds that even though the province foots the bill for the heat and water; it comes out of revenues supported by taxpayers.
The Huntington Hills units were built in 1971, and the housing units in Greentree were built in 1967. Canada’s Economic Action Plan is paying for 100 per cent of the project, and Garbutt applauds the Drumheller Housing Administration management for pursuing the grants to retrofit the units.
He said the management has been able to take advantage of the Inside-Out program and used federal inmate labours for many of the improvements. It has also extensively used local contractors when possible to complete the bulk of the work, putting more locals to work.
“This is a direct result of the federal stimulus program,” said Garbutt.
