Social Housing Energy Savings Program

Funding to help social housing providers with energy efficiency upgrades. The Social Housing Energy Savings Program (SHESP) is a joint CleanBC and BC Hydro program.

Incentives available

Funding is first come, first served and subject to available program budget and program rules.

Incentive typeFunding available
Opportunity assessmentUp to $6,000 per site for an opportunity assessment conducted by a qualified consultant.
Feasibility studyUp to $40,000 per site for comprehensive evaluations of specific systems. The funding amount will be determined based on the scale and complexity of the study needed.
Equipment upgrade: Energy efficiencyUp to $600,000 per site for energy efficiency equipment upgrades.
Equipment upgrade: Fuel switchingUp to $400,000 per site for fuel switching equipment upgrades.
Building electrical systems upgradeUp to $400,000 per site for electrical upgrades required for fuel switching. Upgrades must be behind-the-meter to be eligible for funding.
Implementation supportUp to $11,000 per site to assist with various aspects of project management and execution.

Up to $50,000 in top-up funding may be available for fuel-switching projects located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N). Funding is based on the type of upgrades.

Eligibility details

Read the full program eligibility requirements

General eligibility requirements

  • Applicant must be one of these affordable or low-cost housing providers:
    • Non-profit housing society registered under the Societies Act
    • Housing co-op registered under the Cooperative Association Act
    • Local/Provincial government housing authority or registered charity organizations that operate social housing buildings
    • Governing body of an Indigenous community, provided the housing is primarily for low-income households
  • Individual tenants cannot apply to this program
  • Applicant must be either:
    • A customer within BC Hydro service territory or City of New Westminster
    • A customer implementing a fuel switching project located anywhere in B.C.
  • Buildings must be existing and habitable year-round
  • Eligible building types include:
    • Multi-unit residential buildings (for example: high-rises, apartment buildings)
    • Side-by-side stacked duplexes, row homes or townhouses with centralized heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
    • Mixed use residential buildings must have at least 50% of the total floor area as residential living space
  • Single detached, semi-detached, row and duplex houses are not eligible (townhouses that share HVAC systems may be considered eligible)

How it works

Read the eligibility requirements

Visit BC Hydro to see the full incentive details

Complete and submit an application form

Once approved, start your upgrades

Get support

If you would like more information about participating in the Social Housing Energy Savings Program, contact your:

  • Key Account Manager
  • B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association Energy Manager

Energy Coaches can answer your questions about home energy upgrades. They can also help you learn about Better Homes programs and rebates.