London's social housing out millions after cap and trade cancelled

The London and Middlesex Housing Corporation (LMHC) is scrambling after a provincial decision to cancel the cap and trade program resulted in a $7 million funding loss.

The organization had been counting on the moneyto improve air quality and energy efficiency at its buildings. In fact, it had already spent $10,000to complete energyaudits to assess what needed to be done.

"It was unfortunate that our provincial government decided to go this way especially without consulting with those of us who are in this sector," said Sean Quigley, chair of LMHC.

"This cutting of the cap and trade has really put a serious dent in our ability to upgrade our buildings and to make them more livable for the people we serve," he said.

The organization has a budget of slightly more than $2 million.The influx of $7 million would have been spent on the Social Housing Apartment Improvement Program, also known as SHAIP.

To qualify, social housing providers would need 100 apartments or more. LMHC is the only organization in London with that many units. Quigley said, finding energy savings for those units "is a big deal to our budget."

What's next?

As for what to do about the situation, Quigley saidit's too early to tell.

He said LMHC is set tospeak with social housing providers across the province in an effort to ensure the Ford government is aware of their concerns.

"Hopefully we can work together to make sure the voice of social housing is heard and that we're able to deal with the overwhelming need for social housing in our community," he said.