A new way to build: Aviva Canada funds Climate-Resilient Housing for Alberta Families

November 19, 2025 – (Calgary, AB) – The future of climate-ready housing is being built in the Calgary area with two new pilot projects aimed at setting a new standard for home construction that helps protect families from severe weather.

As Albertans continue to face increasingly frequent and severe climate-driven storms, Aviva Canada is stepping up—partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction on two new pilot projects aimed at showcasing climate-resilient homes built to withstand severe wind and hail.

Aviva Canada is committing over $400,000 to fund:

(a)    hail-resistant features for a 24-unit affordable housing project just outside of Calgary in Chestermere, Alberta, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

(b)   installation of wind and hail-resistant materials in a multi-unit housing project in Calgary, in collaboration with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.

“We must work together to help protect Albertans and homeowners across Canada from the growing threat of severe weather events,” said Susan Penwarden, Managing Director, Personal Lines at Aviva Canada. “The homes built through these projects will not only provide shelter, they’ll also provide peace of mind to these families that their home can stand strong today and in the future. These projects are a powerful example of how we can work together to show how climate resilience and affordability can go hand in hand.”

Conclusions drawn from the Calgary pilot projects are aimed at helping builders and others in the construction industry better understand the cost and feasibility of climate-resilient construction. Insights from the pilots will also help to inform future Habitat for Humanity projects, building codes, industry training, and policy advocacy, with the hope of creating a safer future for homeowners.

Some of the key climate-resilient features of the builds include:

• Impact and wind-resistant Class 4 hail-rated shingles designed to withstand damage.
• Hurricane ties and extra fasteners to keep the roof securely attached to walls during high winds.
• Secondary ice and water barrier underlayment, adding extra protection beneath shingles to prevent leaks if shingles are damaged or blown off.
• Durable Hardie Board siding, triple pane windows, and hail-resistant roof vents and gutters that can reduce damage from hail and windborne debris.

These projects reflect Aviva’s commitment to better protecting Albertans, and all Canadians, in the face of a changing climate. By bringing together industry, community, and government partners, Aviva is helping to create a blueprint to build back better, and safer, for resilient communities across Alberta and beyond.

Quote from Pedro Barata, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada:

“This is a meaningful partnership for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to Aviva’s support, we’re able to integrate the latest and most effective resilient features into these builds—protecting families and demonstrating that climate-ready housing is both achievable and affordable.”

Quote from Paul Kovacs, Executive Director of ICLR:

“The important take away for Canadian homeowners is that their home can be better protected from increasing risk from extreme weather and wildfire. Our collaboration with Aviva Canada is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how resilient construction can safeguard families and communities—while informing future building practices across the country.”

Facts & Data:

• 2024 was the worst year on record in Canadian history for insured damage from severe weather events, totaling $9.2B in insured losses (more than the combined total losses for 2023 ($3.1B), 2022 ($3.1B) and 2021 ($2.1B)).
• Alberta and British Columbia account for more than half of Canada’s insured losses from extreme weather events, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
• Alberta has been the site of five of the 10 costliest disasters in Canadian history, including the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, which resulted in $4.6 billion in insured losses, and the 2024 Calgary hailstorm, which caused $3.1 billion in insured damage.
• Every dollar spent on adaptation and resilience delivers $13-$15 in direct and indirect future savings and benefits, including lower repair and replacement costs and avoided supply chain disruptions.
• Despite this, the federal government has only allocated $1.9 billion to climate adaptation over the past decade.

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