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At the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Vancouver Island (CHBA VI), we know that building homes today isn’t just about putting up walls and a roof—it’s about creating communities that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and affordable. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Change Builders, a new podcast series dedicated to exploring the people, projects, and innovations shaping the future of housing on Vancouver Island.

Hosted by Kerriann Coady, CEO of CHBA VI, Change Builders shines a light on builders and industry leaders who are actively finding solutions to today’s housing challenges. The series goes beyond theory, diving into real-world construction projects, energy solutions, and practical approaches that balance innovation with affordability.

Why Change Builders Matters

Housing in our region faces multiple pressures: rising energy costs, stricter building codes, affordability challenges, and the increasing need for sustainable design. Change Builders highlights how builders are meeting these demands head-on. The series emphasizes three core principles:

Builder Innovation: How forward-thinking builders are using design and technology to deliver high-performance homes.

Efficiency–Affordability Balance: How homes can be energy-efficient without breaking the budget for homeowners.

Collaboration and Partnerships: The role of industry collaboration, utilities, and policy frameworks in enabling sustainable housing.

What You’ll Hear on the Podcast

Each episode of Change Builders will explore practical, actionable insights for builders, policymakers, and homeowners alike. Topics will include:

High-performance homes: Exploring insulation, mechanical systems, and building envelopes that optimize energy efficiency.

Energy solutions: From electrification to heat pumps, solar integration, and energy-saving strategies.

Financing mechanisms: How innovative tools like PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) can align climate goals with housing affordability, making energy upgrades more accessible for homeowners.

Real project outcomes: Interviews with builders, energy advisors, trades, and suppliers to demystify high-performance construction and uncover lessons learned.

Municipal permitting and policy: Examining how regulations, incentives, and rebates impact the feasibility and economics of energy-efficient housing.

Looking Ahead

Future episodes of Change Builders will feature:

• Guests specializing in small-format housing, including carriage homes and secondary suites, walking listeners through design choices for envelopes and mechanical systems.
• Voices from jurisdictions that have implemented PACE financing, sharing insights on what works—and what doesn’t—so Vancouver Island can adapt successful models.
• Building science experts unpacking carbon metrics, high-performance tools, and innovative construction practices.
• Collaboration with BC Hydro and FortisBC to provide builders with energy literacy resources, incentives information, and guidance for implementing cost-effective energy solutions.

Join the Conversation

Change Builders is more than a podcast it’s a platform for learning, sharing, and shaping the future of housing. Whether you’re a builder, designer, policymaker, or homeowner interested in sustainable construction, this series will provide insights that are both practical and inspiring.

Stay tuned for the first episode, where we’ll explore the balance between energy performance and pricing, featuring a guest expert who specializes in small-format housing and practical approaches for building efficient, affordable homes.

Subscribe to Change Builders and be part of the conversation shaping a smarter, greener, and more resilient Vancouver Island.

A special thank you to our partners, BC Hydro and FortisBC, for their support in making Change Builders possible and for advancing energy-efficient, sustainable housing across Vancouver Island