Nexus Solar / South Beach Homes Partnership Starts Construction on EQuilibrium Demonstration House in Prince Albert
PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan, October 10, 2007 — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced the start of construction of an EQuilibrium demonstration home today.
The YIPI! Net Zero Footprint Housing project will be built near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan as part of CMHC’s EQuilibrium sustainable housing initiative. The project is the result of a unique partnership between South Beach Homes, owned by Montreal Lake Cree Nation, and Nexus Solar Corporation.
“Canada’s New Government is proud to partner with the private sector to develop energy-efficient homes and congratulates the YIPI! project team on the start of their construction,” said Minister Solberg. “EQuilibrium aims to reduce the impact of housing on the environment by conserving energy and other resources, and reducing pollutant emissions. These houses are designed to be healthy to live in and to produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis. They will be a blueprint for the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.”
The YIPI! Net Zero Footprint Housing project will introduce CMHC’s EQuilibrium sustainable housing initiative to residents and visitors to the Prince Albert region. This project highlights First Nations’ engagement to affordable and sustainable technologies.
“I am very pleased to be involved with the YIPI! project,” said Cliff Bird, General Manager of South Beach Homes. “The First Nation participation in this inaugural ready to move (RTM) home is of great significance for our people and our company. The potential for the northern market is enormous! We are honoured to be chosen to construct this home.”
CMHC’s EQuilibrium housing initiative demonstrates a new approach to housing in Canada. It brings together the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, and reduced environmental impact under one roof.
The 12 project teams who won CMHC’s national EQuilibrium competition earlier this year are now turning their design concepts into real homes. Each EQuilibrium team will receive $60,000 from CMHC to offset eligible costs, including those related to documenting the projects, testing, and demonstrating the homes publicly.
In addition, CMHC will work with the winning teams to provide technical and promotional support, including market research. CMHC will also support performance monitoring of the EQuilibrium homes for one year once occupied. The demonstration homes will be open to Canadians to view in 2008, after which CMHC will explore opportunities to advance EQuilibrium housing principles more broadly across the housing industry.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada's national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, environmentally sustainable, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642.
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Monte Solberg
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development
819-994-2482
Michele Klein
Marketing Consultant
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (Prairies and Territories)
Office: 403-515-2903
Cell: 403-585-2058
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