Benefits to Community

There are many benefits to the Windsor community that can be realized with the creation of the home retrofit program detailed above. These potential benefits include:

• Neighborhood revitalization

• Increased property values

• Alleviation of “energy poverty” for low-income and vulnerable populations

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

• Improved local air quality due to emissions reduction

• Increased economic activity as lower utility bills result in people having more money to spend at local businesses

• Job creation for building professionals and trades

Next Steps

The work undertaken in the attached Business Case outlines a potential plan to move the R-DEER program forward and meet the goals of the CEP emission reduction targets. As identified throughout this report however, there is a great deal of detailed analysis that is required in order to ensure the development and implementation of a successful retrofit program. This detailed analysis will be the next step for this project and it is expected that in the subsequent report to City Council, the following will be discussed:

• Corporate Risks (Legal and Financial)

• Corporate and Community Benefits

• Collaboration with other Ontario municipalities pursuing similar programs

• Grant funding opportunities

• Further discussion with Enwin and other service delivery agents

• Continued next steps and funding requirements

Risk Analysis:

At this stage there is no risk associated with undertaking the further detailed analysis that will be required in order to more fully explore the corporate risks, benefits, grant opportunities and other relevant program details for Council’s consideration prior to the development of Windsor’s Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit (R-DEER) Business Plan. It is expected that the forthcoming report to Council will clarify the immediate next steps needed in order to more fully develop a proposed business plan for the R-DEER program. Additionally, the report back to council will further identify and present possible risk and any available mitigation measures as they become apparent