Putting residents at the centre of retrofit projects: Tools, lessons, and funding support
Resident engagement is a critical factor in the success of affordable housing retrofit projects.
Meaningful engagement can help build trust, reduce disruption, improve project outcomes, and ensure retrofits meet the needs of residents.
Join The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund (GMF) Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative for a discussion on the newly released Resident engagement toolkit and the resources and funding available to support retrofit planning.
Developed collaboratively by TAF and GMF, the toolkit provides practical guidance, tools, and real-world examples to help housing providers effectively engage residents before, during, and after retrofit projects.
Participants will hear key insights from the toolkit, explore a case study from a housing provider that has applied resident engagement practices in a retrofit project, and learn how the new SAH funding can support early-stage planning activities that contribute to successful retrofit outcomes.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about implementation and available support.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify practical strategies for engaging residents throughout the retrofit lifecycle, from project planning through implementation and follow-up.
2. Recognize common resident engagement challenges and proven approaches to addressing them, drawing on lessons from housing providers and sector practitioners.
3. Understand the role of the Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) grant in supporting early-stage retrofit planning.
Speakers and Moderator
Moderator:
Stephanie Pineau
Speakers:
Kaitlin Carroll, Senior Manager, Retrofit Services, The Atmospheric Fund​
Kaitlin is the Senior Manager, Retrofit Services for TAF’s Retrofit Accelerator program, where she manages deep energy retrofit projects in multi-family buildings across the GTHA.
Kaitlin is the former co-chair of the Canada Green Building Council – Greater Toronto Chapter’s Emerging Green Professionals Committee, and one of Corporate Knight’s 2018 Top 30 Under 30.
Kaitlin is a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional in Training (CMVP-IT). She holds a Master’s of Building Science from Toronto Metropolitan University and a B.A in Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto
Kwesi Johnson, Relationship Manager, Toronto Community Housing
Kwesi Johnson is a Relationship Manager with Planned Project Services in Toronto Community Housing’s Facilities Management Division. His work focuses on tenant engagement and communications for major capital improvement projects, helping to build strong relationships with tenants and communities and ensuring residents are informed and engaged throughout the project process.
Kwesi brings extensive experience in community development, stakeholder engagement and relationship management. He holds a master’s degree in Sociology and Equity Studies from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing an MBA in Community Economic Development. A longtime community advocate, he is committed to strengthening communities and advancing approaches that improve outcomes for residents.
Katie Desormeaux, Outreach Officer, Sustainable Affordable Housing, Green Municipal Fund
