New green loan program supporting sustainable improvements in city

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 7, 2022.

The City of Lethbridge has announced a new $3.8 million investment from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund.

The investment will be used to help Lethbridge residents make energy efficiency and sustainability improvements to their homes through a lending program with the City.

Lethbridge is one of four Alberta communities to share in the $25 million funding delivered through the Community Efficiency Financing initiative, working alongside Calgary, St. Albert, and Canmore.

Loans will be repaid over time through City property tax bills, with the program being expected to be available in late February 2023, offered on a first-come, first-served basis to homeowners.

“A unique value-added bonus for Lethbridge, is that 20 per cent of the funding is dedicated to supporting affordable housing providers,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “This means that some of the most vulnerable members of our community will get to experience the improved upgrades.”

Whether it is new windows or doors, or being able to install solar panels, the investment will give residents an advantage towards sustainability.

“Financially it has been a burden to upgrade and become greener, this is going to be much easier now with this process,” said Hyggen.

“We are still developing a list of final products that are available,” said Larry Laverty, manager of tax and assessment for the City. “We are working on a website right now, which should be open in the next couple of months.”

The City was able to get the funding through an application to the Green Municipal Fund, saying it works towards a lower carbon footprint.

“We are very forward thinking and we have fantastic staff that truly search out all these grants at any opportunity,” said Hyggen. “Our staff is working on ways to become greener, they are bringing that to council to look over, and I am very happy with what our staff has been able to guide us to.”