On January 19th, 2026, we gathered in the sunshine with our partners from Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society and Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky Country to announce $4.9 million in funding from the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Fund in support of an energy retrofit at Tantalus Manor, 1098 Wilson Crescent. This is big news as we have been working hard in the background for over a year to make this project happen.
Video Credit: The Squamish Chief
Tantalus Manor was built circa 1965 and while its bones are solid, it’s showing its age and needs some work to ensure it is safe, comfortable, and energy efficient. Because so many of the original components are still in place, Tantalus Manor currently has an energy use rating that is 30% higher than the median for other building in the province. This makes it a great candidate for an energy retrofit.
We are very excited to start the energy retrofit project, which will run from February to approximately September 2026. A primary goal of the project is to convert the building from gas to electrical heat and hot water and improve the building’s air-tightness to improve the building’s energy efficiency and climate resiliency.
Project Activities:
- Replace all single pane glass windows and doors with double pane
- Install energy recovery ventilators and high-efficiency electric heat pumps in each unit
- Upgrade electrical panels and circuits
- Install high-efficiency lighting
- Install water conserving fixtures
Project Benefits:
- Improved tenant wellbeing through improved ventilation
- 80% reduction in Green House Gas emissions
- 60% decrease in energy consumption
- Reduced energy costs will help keep rents affordable over the long term
- Improved tenant comfort through heat and humidity control and air conditioning
Very importantly, tenants at Tantalus Manor will not be displaced from their units during or after the retrofit and rents will not be increasing as a result of the project. Our tenant support coordinator will be on site throughout the project to share information and help tenants when work in taking place in their units.
Housing Squamish and Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society jointly purchased Tantalus Manor in June 2024 with support from the Province’s Rental Protection Fund. The purchase was an important step in preserving existing affordable rental homes in Squamish so they are not lost to redevelopment. It also meant that together we can offer affordable secure off-reserve homes to Squamish Nation Members. Housing Squamish is committed to our core value of Reconciliation and our work to embody it through this partnership.
“Thank you to our partners, funders, the Squamish Nation, and our many allies. Your support helps more of our community members live more affordably within our traditional territory, close to essential services, and strengthens our ability to meet our shared goals.”— Sarah Silva, Chief Executive Officer, Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society
We are very grateful to our funders and supporters:
- $4.9 million from the federal government, through the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Fund
- $280,000 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund
- $149,000 from the Vancity Non-Profit Housing Retrofit Program
- $27,000 in fee waivers from the District of Squamish
We are proud to co-own this building with Hi’yam Housing and proud that this building is now an asset of the community and protected with an affordable housing covenant to ensure that rents remain affordable over the long term!
We look forward to sharing updates with the community as the project progresses.
Huy chexw!