Efficiency Manitoba, Habitat for Humanity working to help low-income homeowners with energy costs

Efficiency Manitoba, the province’s newest Crown corporation, will be providing consultation with Habitat for Humanity on energy-efficient construction and education for low-income homeowners to help keep monthly energy bills low.

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is already part of Efficiency Manitoba’s “new homes program,” which offers rebates to builders whose homes meet energy-efficient standards.

Now, Efficiency Manitoba will work with Habitat to ensure low-income homeowners are informed on what cost-saving initiatives and rebates are available to them to make upgrading their home more affordable.

“Bill affordability and energy poverty are real issues many Manitoba families are experiencing in greater numbers than ever before,” Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba, said in a release Thursday.

“Helping Manitobans access our rebates and expertise to incorporate energy efficiency into their homes plays an important role in addressing these burdens.”

Habitat Manitoba’s home-ownership program provides homes to families without down payments and unique mortgage payment plans. Families are also required to attend financial education workshops.

All new homes Habitat Manitoba builds are at least 25 per cent more energy efficient than homes built to the province’s current minimum standards.

“Building energy-efficient homes is one of the ways that we ensure that both the purchase cost and the operating costs are affordable for the low-income families that we serve,” said Jamie Hall, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.

In 2024, Habitat Manitoba plans to build 23 homes across Manitoba and in Kenora.

Nineteen families received homes through Habitat in Manitoba in 2023, including people living in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Landmark, Morden, Portage La Prairie and Winkler.