WE HAVE BEEN BUSY
Like many of you, for altER, the pandemic motivated a significant change in the way that we interact with each other, emboldening a shift in priorities to adapt to the uncertainty of navigating a world with COVID19. While the team has been working diligently on our projects, we have also been looking, listening and learning from the experiences 2020 and 2021 have brought us. There is a lot to do!
The damage resulting from COVID-19 to public health – physical and mental – and the economy is unprecedented, and its true extent will unfortunately not be known for years to come. Early data, however, suggest a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities in Canada and around the world, exacerbating existing societal issues. While the damage caused by these challenges seems irreparable, at altER, we believe it presents an opportunity for us to rethink the way we approach the obstacles we face and how to better prepare for the future.
We hope you will continue to support us as we continue to learn, discover and create solutions that will improve the educational, financial and physical well-being of our clients and their communities to foster increased participation, development and productivity.
Project Progress
Matters like the limited housing supply and the scarcity of affordable options, declining job security and the newly added challenges of navigating the financial uncertainty of the pandemic have made it more apparent that holistic solutions are the only arsenal strong enough to tackle complex problems. There are several exciting developments in the pipeline and our the team is working hard to make a reality.
What have we been up to?
- TOTM, be totally you! TOTM is a new consumer product developed from hemp and bamboo fabric. 100% eco-friendly, vegan, and made with recyclable organic fibres. TOTM underwear comes in a variety of styles, colours and absorbency levels. By utilizing bamboo and hemp for its products, totm’s apparel routinely: breathes, keeping the individual dry and cool from the porous nature of hemp, absorbs and protects against compression leaks, as hemp is more water-absorbent than cotton, and retains its color after washes, getting softer with each wear. Currently in testing, TOTM’s combines form, comfort, and function to make the perfect companion for menstruation and incontinence management.
- BNP Stress Testing and Simulated Household Reporting
In September 2020, altER was successful in proving our Basic Necessity Percentage (or “BNP”) as a viable affordable shelter metric. As of May 2021, we have completed over 100 million simulations testing our metric and highlighting potential use expansion and adoption. - Feasibility Study – A development, financial, and operational feasibility study was conducted for the renewability and repurposing network (or “RRN”) that forms part of the Lan Igiro community augmentation project. This aims to assess the viability of the development of a Lan Igiro community, with a particular focus on the renewability features and its integration’s impact on potential future residents and neighboring communities. The addition of this network would create economically productive opportunities in the form of solar energy, raw material for natural gas production and a more efficient recycling system that aims to incentivize the redirection of recyclables and other household waste away from landfills.
What is Coming? What Are We Doing Now
- Online Basic Necessity Percentage (BNP) Calculator
You will soon be able to calculate your household’s BNP through the altER’s website. A household’s BNP represents a household’s current lifetime necessity affordability, which can assist households in financial planning and monthly prioritization of basic needs for long-term sufficiency. If you want to find out what this number is today and receive a free Household BNP Preliminary Report, contact us! - Expanding Our Capacity
At altER, we believe collaboration creates solutions and we are looking to grow our team in order to expand our capacity to complete crucial projects currently in development. We will be seeking individuals to fill a variety of roles in the coming months and will be posting various career opportunities on the altER website and various online job boards. View our current employment opportunities or connect with us to work together to create alternative solutions to the world’s challenges.
Click here to see altER’s current job opportunities. - Lan Igiro Letter of Support
While data, models and research provide insights into potential solutions, community engagement is important to ensure that the solutions we develop are informed by the individuals they will impact and represent a shared vision among all stakeholders. Lan Igiro is seeking support from all those who believe in a sustainable solution for the complex housing challenge Canada is facing. A solution that fosters healthy living, vibrant and dynamic communities all while being environmentally sustainable and economically productive. Smarter cities begin with smarter communities. Follow altER on social and check back on the altER website to show your support for altER’s solution to Canada’s housing challenge.
As we continue our work in the coming months we will be posting updates on the altER website and on our social media channels.