Capital Planning

Accessibility upgrades to buildings focus on making facilities more usable for individuals with disabilities, in line with regulations such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). These upgrades typically include modifications to common areas like installing ramps, accessible entry ways, creating accessible restrooms, adjusting signage, removing barriers and ensuring proper parking accommodations. Additionally, pathways, drinking fountains, and telecommunication systems may also be upgraded. The goal is to provide an inclusive environment with features such as accessible entrances, clear routes of travel, and compliance with specific building standards​. 

Upgrades to parking lots, sidewalks, and landscaping in community spaces often aim to improve safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. Enhancements include resurfacing and adding features like permeable pavers to manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and combat pollution. Landscaping improvements such as drought-resistant plants, decorative fencing, and green spaces are incorporated to create welcoming environments that support walkability and community use. Sidewalk upgrades may include widening, adding ramps, or implementing visual markers to enhance accessibility and pedestrian safety, particularly in urban and underserved areas​.

Deep energy retrofits are comprehensive upgrades to buildings aimed at significantly reducing energy consumption and improving overall performance. These retrofits often focus on enhancing the building envelope—such as walls, roofs, and windows—for better insulation and air sealing. Other improvements may include updating heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and water heating equipment to more efficient models. These retrofits can also involve integrating renewable energy sources and smart energy management systems to optimize energy use. The process typically begins with detailed energy audits to establish baselines and identify opportunities. It can address multiple components simultaneously to achieve high energy savings, making it a critical strategy for decarbonizing the building sector and mitigating climate change.

Repair initiatives often include electrical upgrades as part of broader building rehabilitation efforts. These upgrades typically focus on improving safety and functionality. Common electrical improvements include repairing or replacing outdated wiring, updating circuit panels to meet modern safety codes, and installing energy-efficient lighting. In some cases, electrical upgrades may also address health hazards such as faulty or overloaded systems, particularly in older homes and buildings. Programs often prioritize these improvements when they directly impact tenant safety, energy efficiency, or compliance with building codes​.

Elevator modernization involves upgrading an elevator's critical components to enhance safety, performance, and compliance with current codes. This process typically includes replacing or improving systems such as the control panels, motors, wiring, and doors. It often incorporates advanced technology like energy-efficient drives, updated communication systems, and modern safety mechanisms. Modernization can also improve the elevator's aesthetics, aligning its design with contemporary standards and the building’s style

Energy reduction in buildings involves minimizing energy consumption while maintaining or improving functionality and comfort. Key strategies focus on improving energy efficiency through upgrades to existing structures and systems. Typical components of energy-efficient retrofits include enhanced insulation, high-performance windows, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and LED lighting. Sealing air leaks and adding renewable energy systems like solar panels also play significant roles. Construction techniques to reduce energy use in older buildings often involve retrofits, which address the building envelope, heating, cooling, and lighting systems simultaneously. Smart energy management systems and advanced materials, are frequently utilized. These approaches not only cut operational costs but also help reduce carbon emissions, contributing to global sustainability goal.

Exterior envelope repairs focus on maintaining and improving a building's protective outer shell to ensure structural integrity, energy efficiency, and occupant safety. These repairs typically include balcony replacements to address deterioration from exposure, brick repairs to resolve cracks or displacement, and other necessary interventions such as resealing windows, fixing cladding, or improving thermal insulation. These efforts often aim to prevent water ingress, mitigate safety hazards, and enhance the building's lifespan while ensuring compliance 

Building automation refers to the integration of systems within a facility—such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, and fire safety—through a centralized control platform. These systems use sensors, actuators, and software to automate processes, optimize energy efficiency, improve tenant comfort, and enhance safety. Upgrading a building's automation system often involves retrofitting outdated components with modern technology, such as energy-efficient lighting, advanced HVAC controls, smart water management, and enhanced security systems. Additionally, improvements may include integrating IoT devices, cloud-based management, and wireless infrastructure to streamline operations and reduce costs. For existing buildings, common upgrades might include automated lighting systems, demand-controlled ventilation, advanced fire safety mechanisms, and security integration, all designed to improve functionality and sustainability while maintaining tenant satisfaction.

Facility or building condition audits and energy audits are essential evaluations for non-profit housing organizations and other property owners to support effective capital planning. A facility condition audit (FCA) assesses the physical state of a building's structural, mechanical, and other systems, identifying deficiencies and estimating the costs of repairs or replacements. This process helps prioritize maintenance and capital improvements, reducing risks associated with aging infrastructure and improving safety and functionality​.

Energy audits focus on analyzing a building's energy usage, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending upgrades or retrofits to reduce costs and environmental impact. These audits range from basic evaluations to detailed assessments of energy systems like HVAC, lighting, and insulation, often including potential savings and return on investment for proposed measures​.

​Both audits are critical for long-term asset management, enabling organizations to allocate resources effectively, maintain regulatory compliance, and enhance building sustainability and resilience.

Fire safety systems in existing buildings typically include fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting. When these systems are upgraded or replaced during renovations, the focus often shifts to ensuring compliance with updated fire codes, enhancing occupant safety, and integrating modern technologies. Common upgrades include installing advanced smoke detection systems, replacing outdated alarms with interconnected units for improved communication, and enhancing suppression systems. Emergency lighting systems may also be updated to ensure clear evacuation routes. Renovation projects often trigger these updates due to changes in occupancy, new fire hazard assessments, or the aging of existing systems. Such upgrades not only improve safety but also align buildings with current fire safety standards.

Interior renovations to common areas in housing buildings typically focus on improving shared spaces like hallways, entrances, and walls to enhance functionality, aesthetics, and tenants well-being. Common upgrades include repainting or resurfacing walls, updating flooring, improving lighting, and enhancing accessibility features. In some projects, these renovations extend to modernizing doorways, installing fixtures, and improving circulation space. These updates often aim to add aesthetic while ensuring spaces remain welcoming and safe for all tenants.

Mechanical upgrades and improvements in housing involve updating or replacing essential building systems to enhance performance, safety, and energy efficiency. These upgrades often include critical repairs or replacements of aging systems to extend the building's useful life. Typical components requiring such improvements include HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), The goal is often to ensure compliance with modern codes, improve energy efficiency, and provide a safer and more comfortable living environment for tenants.

Roof replacements and repairs are essential for maintaining the structural integrity and energy efficiency of a building. Flat roof replacements often involve upgrading to modern materials like EPDM, TPO, or PVC membranes, which offer improved durability, weather resistance, and energy efficiency. Additional upgrades may include better drainage systems, insulation enhancements, and UV-reflective coatings to prolong roof lifespan and reduce energy costs​.

For pitched roof replacements, common upgrades include using longer-lasting materials like metal or composite shingles, reinforcing structural elements, and installing weather-resistant barriers. Other enhancements might include ridge vents for improved ventilation, gutter replacements, and underlayment upgrades to prevent leaks and increase overall durability​.

Existing building security systems often include basic measures such as intercoms, locked entrances, lighting, and sometimes video surveillance. Security system upgrades or additions typically aim to enhance safety and adapt to evolving threats. Common upgrades include installing advanced access control systems (e.g., key fobs or biometric readers), modern surveillance cameras with remote monitoring capabilities, improved outdoor and hallway lighting, and alarm systems for fire and intrusion protection. Some projects may also add features like emergency communication systems and reinforced entry points.