General Project Description

BUILD is a non-profit organization delivering the Warm Up Winnipeg program. BUILD is dedicated to combining environmental stewardship and poverty reduction. We train people with limited experience in the formal labour market primarily to retrofit existing buildings. Our work includes increasing insulation levels and installing water saving fixtures.

Greening of Centennial Pilot Project

The Greening of Centennial Project started in November of 2006. The Centennial Neighbourhood is one of Canada's poorest communities. With support from the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro and help from the Winnipeg Foundation and Winnipeg's United Way , more than 120 low income families received energy and water retrofits with average utility bill savings of $500 per home per year. The work was completed by local residents. See the press release here. This successful pilot program was the genesis of Warm Up Winnipeg which has a presence in 16 of Winnipeg's poorest neighbourhoods.

Demonstrated Need in Community

Green Communities Canada (GCC), a national organization which supports community based NGO's doing environmental work, has published a paper which helps document the level of "Energy Poverty ". It is not uncommon for some low income families to spend 25% or more of their income on utility bills. In 2006, average household income in the lowest quintile was $16,000 of which $1,175 was spent on basic utilities. The average energy burden of the highest income quintile was only 2 percent, compared to 7.3 percent for the lowest quintile. About one million households spend more than 10 percent of their income on energy costs. This is an alarming figure but understated because often landlords include utilities in rent. "In other words", says the GCC, "rising energy costs are often buried in rising rents, rather than showing up as increased energy burden."

The vast majority of low income families live in substandard (and chilly!) housing, much of which was built with limited insulation in attics, walls and basements. While these houses may offer cheaper than average rent or require lower down payments than newer more energy efficient homes - they cost more to "operate".

Typical Retrofit Upgrades

Warm Up Winnipeg retrofits homes with additional attic and basement insulation. We also install low flush toilets, efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, compact flourescent lighting, and pipewrapping.

Community Partners

Warm Up Winnipeg is now focussing its efforts in 16 of Winnipeg's lowest income neighbourhoods. We are partnering with neighbourhood renewal corporations including North End Community Renewal Corporation , West Broadway Development Corporation , Spence Neighbourhood Association , and the Central Neighbourhood Development Corporation . If you live in one of these neighbourhoods, please contact them directly for application assistance.