Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxwumixw (Community Operations) and interdepartmental cooperation enables renovations for homes on reserve
Application can be found here.
Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxwumixw (Community Operations) is leading a crucial pillar of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s (Squamish Nation’s) Climate Legacy Strategy. This strategy is guiding the Nation in advancing climate action in its Community and Aysáych (Territory) to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.
The second goal of the Climate Legacy Strategy is to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings. To achieve this, Community Operations is offering home energy retrofits across the Nation.
Across the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw so far, 190 homes have completed insulation work, 161 homes have received new heat pumps, and 30 homes have had new windows installed. Many of the households that applied for retrofitting required remediation due to poor ventilation. In particular, attics where bathroom fans had not been properly vented were a problem. With improvements complete, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People are now seeing lower household energy costs (smaller Fortis bills), improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort during hot and cold seasons all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Community response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Members are saying how pleased they are with the results, particularly the comfort provided by heat pumps. Scheduling HVAC installations during the summer heat was particularly beneficial.
Carla George, a Junior Elder who has lived in X̱wemelch’stn (Capilano Reserve) for nearly 23 years, had her attic re-insulated, a heat pump installed, received new hood fans in the kitchen and both bathrooms, and had six windows replaced.
Carla moved into her then-new home with her husband, son, and six-month-old daughter. Her family now includes a granddaughter. The house hadn’t had any major renovations until she applied for the retrofit program. With the recent installations and upgrades, Carla says, “It’s warmer throughout the house now with the new insulation and heat pump. Before, our basement would be really, really cold but now it’s more regulated. And also, before the heat pump, once the heat started my son would be way too hot downstairs, but it wouldn’t be warm enough upstairs.”
As for the climate benefits, Carla said, “I’m very grateful for this program, especially thinking of my granddaughter in the future being able to have a more energy efficient home. And also grateful that we’re thinking of the land, air, and water, and taking care of Mother Earth. Our homes are now taking better care of us individually and as a Community.”
Speaking about the process, and of the contractors who did the work, Carla had nothing but praise. She said they showed up promptly at the agreed upon time, wore boot covers while in the house, and took the time to do the job correctly, even if it meant calling in a colleague to help diagnose heat pump issues.
After the heat pump was installed, the workers took the time to show Carla how to control her home’s temperature through her phone and through the new thermostat.
Retrofitting Older Homes
Retrofitting older homes is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to take climate action by reducing energy demand and emissions. Examples of retrofitting include window upgrades, insulation improvements, air sealing, heating system efficiency upgrades, and heat pump installations.
Beyond the climate benefits, these retrofits also improve comfort and health for residents. Better windows reduce drafts, moisture, and mold risk. More efficient homes stay warmer during winter storms and cooler during heat waves or power outages. Heat pumps provide both cooling and heating, providing much needed air conditioning during hotter summers. Lower energy use means lower monthly bills, helping households adapt to rising energy costs. And for the Nation, Community Operations estimates the climate retrofits on Squamish assets have saved $4.1 million in costs.
How to Apply for a retrofit
The application process for home retrofits takes about one month to complete and requires CleanBC to issue a funding code and a site visit.
If interested, contact Community Operations at 604-980-8655 or at communityoperations@squamish.net and be prepared to provide information like the age of your home, its square footage, its primary heat source, and BC Hydro and Fortis account numbers. The application can be found here.
Once approved, the typical retrofit process takes about four to six months. The initial site visit and assessment is carried out by Shoreline Building Performance.
Our Climate Legacy Strategy
Upholding the Climate Legacy Strategy and its four pillars: Pillar One: Wa cht iyímen ta átsḵiwilhmin – Our Low-Carbon Infrastructure; Pillar Two: Wa cht lháwat ta ḵ’eḵ’sín̓ tisyatshen – Our Land & Water; Pillar
Three: S7ulh tl’estl’ís ts’its’áp’ – Our Green Economy; and Pillar Four: Wa cht lháwat ta úxwumixw – Our People & Community.
Together, these pillars of the Climate Legacy Strategy address both the urgent need to take action on climate as well as a 25-year strategy to steward our land for future generations. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s Climate Legacy Strategy honours the Nation’s relationship to the land, water, and air of its territory.