Page 11 - Realign | CHC Annual Report 2021

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Repair and Renewal / Health and Safety

REPAIR AND RENEWAL CHANGES ARE COMING!
Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation (CHC) has received a historic and transformational $170M investment in our
communities between 2022- 2028 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as part of the National Housing Co-
Investment Fund for Housing Repair and Renewal Stream and the City of Windsor and County of Essex. With this funding, we will
improve the quality of our units with a focus on modernized accessibilit y and energy-efficient upgrades where possible. This vital
reinvestment will restore dignity and enhance the quality of life for residents who live with us at CHC. In turn, creating a stable platform
for healthier families and their surrounding neighbourhoods.
With an ageing portfolio and a historic underfunding of capital repairs, establishing a sustained funding mechanism for a portion of the
capital needs is key to the long-term sustainability of CHC's housing stock. This new funding will breathe new life into CHC's social
and affordable housing portfolios. Over the next six years, improvements for accessibility, energy efficiency, fire life safety
renewal, access and security, building envelope, structural repair program, elevator modernization program, building systems,
unit interiors, and other infrastructures. The work also aims to improve at least 25 percent in energy efficiency and greenhouse
gas emissions.

HEALTH AND SAFETY - Pandemic REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
CHC modified its pandemic response as legislation on COVID CHC incurred no fines for noncompliance with legislated
changed, and science taught us new means of mitigation. No health and safety requirements.
CHC workplace outbreaks occurred throughout the pandemic.
CHC's business reopening plan helped CHC return services to full Incident Reporting
CHC expects all incidents to be reported, ranging from minor
capacity well before year-end. The introduction of mandatory
hazards to trespassing, near misses, minor incidents, and
employee and contractor vaccinations at CHC helped to keep all
critical injury. CHC's incident reporting program went online in
parties safe and maintain essential services.
Q2 of 2021.
CHC employees are to be acknowledged for their contribution to Good employee communication for all levels of potential loss
preventing workplace transmission. From daily disinfection of resulted in nearly 1000 incident reports. No critical injuries
high touch surfaces in high-rise buildings and offices, actively were reported to employees or contractors.
screening tenants and visitors for COVID, doing wellness checks,
and wearing their PPE, CHC employees played a significant role in Training
keeping each other and our residents safe. Throughout the pandemic, CHC maintained the delivery of
safety training for new and existing employees. CHC
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE employees completed 481 in-house health and safety training
An essential aspect of CHC's mission is to provide safe and units and 55 external health and safety training courses.
affordable housing. The COVID pandemic affected our daily FIRE SAFETY
lives, and we all saw increases in certain challenging
behaviours. CHC saw an uptick with some of these challenges Fire safety is a critical component of CHC's safety program.
in our Glengarry Community, and we set out to launch several CHC executed a plan to inspect all 28-building fire alarms,
initiatives in 2021 to help with these concerns including: protection systems and equipment during the COVID
pandemic. 2021 was a pivotal year in fire protection. CHC
The installation of additional security cameras and issued a tender for a new fire system and equipment service
monitors contract to provide future online inspection data to ensure a
The hiring of the security group The Commissionaires speedy response to repairs and deficiencies.
- Windsor
The creation of Committees of the CHC Board, JHSC and Safety Groups
working together with the City of Windsor, CHC staff CHC implemented a new employee safety structure. In
and community partners to identify solutions to keep addition to a JHSC at the main office, new local safety groups
people safe. were created in each district.

HEALTHY WORKPLACE CHC attended the virtual Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony organized by
AWARDS the local Working Toward Wellness Committee. We were recognized for
implementing comprehensive workplace wellness activities and initiatives to
promote positive lifestyle behaviours. We were required to provide examples
of activities or measures that were put in place and evolving to support
employee and community health, safety, and mental well-being during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
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