Delivering on our strategic objectives - Canadian Forces Housing Agency Annual Report 2017-2018

Providing excellent services to our customers and clients

People are at the core of everything we do to deliver our mandate. Every CFHA employee is dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible service. To achieve this goal, we work hard to create an environment in which employees can excel both personally and professionally.

We launched the Stars of CFHA program in 2017. This recognition program aims to highlight our frontline staff who provide excellence in customer service across Canada. Three exceptional employees were named the 2017 Stars of CFHA. In addition, Housing Services Centre Esquimalt received the title of 2017 Star Housing Services Centre for their work in providing consistent outstanding customer service.

Being the agent of excellence in the provision of residential housing for the CAF

As noted in Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada's Defence Policy, one of the key objectives related to our mandate is the need to improve infrastructure on bases and wings, including military housing. The policy recognizes that military service has a broader impact than to those in uniform and includes several initiatives to improve the quality of life for both CAF members and their families. We recognize that some of our occupants have special requirements which make mobility within a standard home difficult and we are committed to providing barrier-free design solutions. This is realized through partnerships with CAF leadership, base and wing staff, industry professionals, and occupants. 

In fiscal year 2017-2018, we successfully invested over $144 million into the housing portfolio. Included in the $144 million was $50 million from the Infra2016 program; government dedicated funds for the improvement of national infrastructure as identified in Budget 2016.

Fostering a vibrant, competent workforce in a healthy workplace

As part of our journey of continuous improvement in fiscal year 2017-2018, we took further steps in our pursuit of organizational excellence. On the road to reaching Excellence Canada’s Platinum Level Certification, we joined a two-year wellness study looking at the impact of BestLifeRewarded’s (BLR) Health Behaviour Change Program. Along with four other government organizations, we joined the pilot study in September 2017. The Program uses several behaviour change models to promote a healthy lifestyle. 

In fiscal year 2017-2018, we continued to focus on building an engaged, agile and sustainable workforce. Similar to the rest of the Department, our organization faces challenging workforce demographics that require a concerted effort, as more than 30% of our regional workforce will be eligible to retire by 2022.

Excelling in our sound management practices and stewardship of resources

Throughout fiscal year 2017-2018, we continued to proactively explore new opportunities to implement energy efficient housing solutions in support of the Department’s environmental objectives. As stated in Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy, and the Defence Energy and Environmental Strategy (DEES), new objectives were set which outline the Department’s environmental priorities for the future.  Specific to the Agency, Target 6 commits the Agency to “achieve an EnerGuide energy performance standard for all new or recapitalized residential housing units by 31 March 2020.” In working toward this target, we perform energy efficiency evaluations to assess all new and recapitalized homes. Results for fiscal year 20172018 demonstrate that for all 206 assessed residential housing units, we are well on our way to achieving the target. 

In addition to working toward the DEES targets, we remain committed to being a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainable management practices. Housing-related Energy Star, Green Globes and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles are fully integrated into our technical standards. These standards promote the use of green materials and methodologies for improved energy efficiency in maintenance work, lifecycle replacement and whole house renovation projects.  

In line with Departmental priorities, we continue to dispose of surplus residential housing units, resulting in a reduced environmental footprint and helping to meet the Department’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. In fiscal year 2017-2018, we expended $2.8 million on demolition projects that were carried out in Cold Lake, Winnipeg, Gagetown and Trenton.  

Over the course of the year, the demolition program reduced the national housing portfolio by approximately 1%. These projects have helped to consolidate the residential housing sites and improve privacy, parking, landscaping, as well as security and access in our communities. Demolishing residential housing units also helps reduce operating costs and the need for future infrastructure and servicing utility upgrades. 

The demolition projects follow federal and provincial regulatory requirements, through the proper assessment, remediation and documentation of soil contamination due to legacy activities, compliance with the disposal of systems containing halocarbons, the proper management of construction waste and hazardous building materials, as well as the decommissioning of fuel storage tanks. Surplus housing will continue to be demolished and divested during this upcoming fiscal year, as part of our ongoing rationalization strategy.