3. Results - Canadian Forces Housing Agency Annual Report 2021-2022
3.1 Departmental Results Framework
The Policy on Results sets out the fundamental requirements for Canadian federal departmental accountability for performance information and evaluation, while highlighting the importance of results in management and expenditure decision making, as well as public reporting. The Departmental Results Framework (DRF) is the strategic view of Defence’s mandate, displaying its Core Responsibilities and key performance information to frame the public conversation. It helps Canadians and parliamentarians understand what we do, what we seek to achieve, and how we will determine if we have achieved it. One of the indicators CFHA reports on is the number of Residential Housing Units (RHUs) that are in the ‘Below Average’ Condition Assessment category. This indicator measures the success of housing component life cycle replacements, disposals or recapitalization of older homes in improving the overall condition of the military housing portfolio.
The number of RHUs in ‘below average’ condition increased slightly from 2021 to 2022, going from 1957 to 2148 RHUs. As a result of the pandemic, condition assessment data collection and reporting requirements were periodically adjusted in year in accordance with public health measures. In order to minimize contact with occupants, interior access to residential housing units was reserved for essential work and critical repairs. In FY 2021-22, the decreased amount of inspections may have impacted the ability to collect, update, and report on condition assessment data, as well as the completion of maintenance work and investment planning initiatives.
In addition to whole house renovations, bundled lifecycle work has the potential to change the overall condition of the military housing portfolio. Implementation of lifecycle work on RHUs proved challenging in FY 2021-22 due to supply chain disruptions, which included challenges related to the pandemic environment, consumer price index increases, as well as contractor and material availability.
Energy efficiency upgrades full text
Energy efficiency upgrades
1010 furnaces and hot water tanks replaced
716 roofs replaced
317 air conditioners systems installed
159 electrical upgrades
288 exterior renovations completed
3.2 Canada's Defence Policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged
3.2.1 Improve Housing for CAF Personnel
Investments in the housing portfolio continued to enable the implementation of Canada’s Defence Policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), initiative 104B: Improve Housing for CAF Personnel.
FY 2021-2022 saw a program of lifecycle replacement and capital improvements that continued to align the portfolio to the needs of the CAF, including increased energy efficiency, improved condition and revitalized communities. Construction of new RHUs occurred in Comox and major projects were implemented in Halifax, Greenwood, Gagetown, Petawawa, Borden, Shilo, Wainwright and Cold Lake. CFHA operational activities ensured that RHUs were in good repair and neighbourhoods were well-maintained.
The CFHA investment program continues to develop in response to the operational requirement for housing, secured baseline funding (supporting multi-year planning), and increased pressures in the Canadian housing market.
Portfolio projects full text
In FY 2021-2022, CFHA invested over $125M in the residential housing portfolio:
- 119 recapitalized RHUs
- 147 new kitchens
- 172 new bathrooms
- 425 new sheds and fences
- 256 steps and sidewalks replaced
- 115 new driveways
- 234 stair guards or harps replaced
- 93 interior renovations completed
- 2256 other projects
During FY 2021-2022, CFHA faced many challenges in sustaining operations within the ever-changing pandemic environment. The Agency continued to demonstrate its resilience, high level of adaptability and agility as it delivered housing services to roughly 26,000 CAF members and their families.
3.2.2 Reduce the Housing Portfolio's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
CFHA is working to align with the goals outlined in the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy. The agency is taking action to improve the housing portfolio’s energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by integrating these goals into our maintenance, renovation, and new construction programs.
Achievements over the past year include:
- Working with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to:
- Develop tree planting plans for three CFHA sites - Wainwright, AB, Dundurn, SK, and Moose Jaw, SK - as part of the Two Billion Trees Commitment; and
- Benchmark the energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Agency’s housing portfolio.
- Completion of a net-zero feasibility assessment on existing CFHA 6- and 12-unit archetypes.
- Progressing on the design and development of net-zero carbon-ready building types representative of the Agency’s portfolio;
- Beginning the process of incorporating net-zero carbon ready design and construction principles into the CFHA Design Standards and specifications; and,
- Digitizing our business processes with the Mobile Workplace initiative and the launch of Phase 1 of the Occupant portal and its online forms, as well as the distribution of the new Digital Welcome Kit.
3.2.3 Feature projects
Kingston:
In order to address the accessibility needs of a family with a child with special mobility needs, Housing Service Centre (HSC) Kingston built a special deck that provides wheelchair ramp access to the RHU. Not only is the family now able to access the rear of their RHU, they are now able to enjoy the warm, outside air together without going through a cumbersome and lengthy detour through the front entrance of their home.
Gagetown:
HSC Gagetown continued work on a project to remove old incandescent bulb light fixtures and replace them with new fixtures and LED bulbs. In FY 2021-2022, 93 RHUs received both LED basement and interior lights, 107 RHUs received Basement LED only, 103 RHUs received the interior LED only (LED in basements were already done in previous years). The plan is to have 100% of the incandescent lighting replaced in the next 3-4 years in Gagetown.
As 30% of the electricity produced in New Brunswick comes from fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, and petroleum), this project not only reduces electric bills of about $200-250 per RHU annually for occupants, but also contributes to the environmental targets and goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs
LEDs are super-efficient light bulbs; they create a lot of light but use very little energy. ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and they last at least 15 times longer. Certified LEDs also produce almost no heat and are resistant to vibration, which cuts cooling and replacement costs.
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