Brookfield Residential COVID-19 Response and Safety Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant shifts across every industry, and the real estate sector is no exception. Brookfield Residential, a leading homebuilder, recognized the urgency of responding quickly to protect its employees, customers, and communities. From implementing workplace safety protocols to embracing digital homebuying solutions, Brookfield response to the crisis has been both comprehensive and adaptable. In this post, we’ll dive into Brookfield Residential’s efforts to keep their operations running smoothly, safeguard those involved, and continue providing safe homes for families.

Initial Response to the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic led to sudden, widespread disruptions across industries globally, and Brookfield Residential’s first priority was the safety of its employees, clients, and partners. As soon as the pandemic hit, the company implemented a series of measures to adhere to public health compliance and minimize exposure risk in all its facilities, including model homes, construction sites, and sales offices.

Key Measures Taken:

• Immediate Remote Work Transition: The shift to remote work and digital solutions was one of Brookfield’s first actions. Employees in roles that allowed for telecommuting transitioned quickly to home offices.
• Enhanced Communication: Brookfield Residential made it a priority to keep communication channels open, providing employees, customers, and partners with continuous updates on health protocols and any changes to service delivery.
• Adherence to WHO Guidelines: The company strictly followed the World Health Organization (WHO) health and safety guidelines, incorporating social distancing measures and mandatory PPE usage where in-person interaction was necessary.
• Proactive Health Screenings: Health screenings for employees working on construction sites and in offices ensured that only healthy individuals were present in physically demanding environments.

Workplace Safety Protocols

As construction continued in many areas. Brookfield Residential implemented workplace safety protocols on all job sites. Ensuring that construction workers were safeguarded from the virus while continuing to build homes.

Key Safety Protocols:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employees, especially those working on site. Were required to wear protective gear, including masks, gloves, and face shields.
• Social Distancing on Job Sites: Construction zones were modified to ensure that workers maintained safe distances from one another. This involved restructuring work schedules and altering workflows.
• Enhanced Site Cleaning Protocols: Job sites underwent frequent sanitization, and tools and machinery were disinfected after each use.
• Staggered Work Schedules: To minimize the number of workers present on-site at any given time, staggered work schedules were introduced.
• Health Monitoring: Daily health checks and temperature screenings became mandatory for those entering the job sites or office premises.

Adaptation of Home Sales & Customer Engagement

Brookfield Residential quickly adjusted its approach to home sales as in-person meetings were no longer feasible in many locations due to COVID-19 restrictions. The focus shifted toward leveraging technology to provide homebuyers with the same level of service and support remotely.

Changes in Customer Interaction:

• Virtual Home Tours: To replace traditional in-person showings, Brookfield introduced virtual home tours. Allowing potential buyers to explore homes from the comfort of their own space. These virtual walkthroughs included detailed video tours and 360-degree interactive views.
• Online Consultations: In addition to virtual tours, the company offered online consultations via video calls, enabling customers to ask questions, discuss their needs, and receive expert advice remotely.
• Interactive Customer Experiences: New technology-enabled features were incorporated, such as AI-driven recommendations for prospective homeowners, which tailored home options based on their preferences.
• Appointment-Based Model: Brookfield transitioned to an appointment-only sales model for any in-person visits to sales offices or model homes. This ensured limited crowding and allowed the company to strictly control safety measures for physical meetings.

Flexible Closing Processes

The pandemic brought financial uncertainties and delays for many buyers. Brookfield Residential adapted its closing processes to offer more flexibility and support to customers during these challenging times.

Key Changes in Closing:

• Flexible Closing Dates: Recognizing that homebuyers were facing a unique set of challenges. Brookfield Residential introduced flexible closing dates, allowing buyers to adjust their move-in timelines to suit their circumstances.
• Electronic Document Signing: To eliminate the need for physical presence, Brookfield incorporated electronic document signing and remote notarization services. This innovation ensured that all paperwork could be completed online, avoiding unnecessary delays.
• Virtual Closings: In some instances, closings were conducted entirely virtually. With digital signatures and video calls to ensure a smooth process without requiring in-person interaction.

Impact on Construction & Development Projects

While construction projects were generally deemed essential in most areas, the pandemic caused some delays and disruptions in the construction and development pipelines.

Adjustments to Construction:

• Supply Chain Disruptions: The global supply chain disruptions affected the availability of certain building materials, causing delays in some projects. To combat this, Brookfield Residential looked for alternative materials and adjusted project timelines to accommodate new lead times.
• Staggered Scheduling: On construction sites, staggered work schedules were implemented to ensure fewer workers were on-site at a time, reducing the risk of exposure.
• Health and Safety on Construction Sites: Enhanced site cleaning protocols were established to maintain the highest standards of hygiene, ensuring that construction workers could work safely. These included frequent sanitization of common areas and equipment.
• Project Timelines Adjustments: Despite challenges, Brookfield Residential worked tirelessly to maintain construction schedules as closely as possible. While adjusting for realistic timelines given supply chain issues and social distancing measures.

Employee Support Programs

The pandemic took a mental and physical toll on many, and Brookfield Residential took extensive steps to ensure that employees were supported throughout this challenging time.

Employee Well-being Initiatives:

• Extended Paid Sick Leave: The company offered extended paid sick leave to employees who contracted COVID-19 or needed to quarantine due to exposure.
• Mental Health Resources: Mental health became a primary focus as employees navigated the stress of the pandemic. Brookfield provided mental health resources, including counseling services and virtual support groups.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: For employees who couldn’t work remotely, flexible work arrangements were introduced to accommodate new childcare arrangements or other family responsibilities.

Community Assistance Initiatives

Throughout the pandemic, Brookfield Residential also focused on supporting the wider community. This included assisting frontline workers and local businesses that were impacted by the crisis.

Community Support Programs:

• Donations to Frontline Workers: Brookfield Residential partnered with local organizations to make donations to frontline workers, providing food, hygiene products, and financial assistance where needed.
• Support for Local Businesses: Brookfield worked with local businesses to help them survive the pandemic, offering financial contributions or running promotional events to drive sales.
• Housing Assistance: The company initiated housing assistance programs, including rent relief for families and discounted home purchase programs for essential workers.

Long-Term Adaptations & Future Outlook

As the world adapts to post-pandemic life, Brookfield Residential is also looking toward the future. Many of the changes implemented during the pandemic are expected to become permanent fixtures in the company’s operations.

Key Long-Term Adaptations:

• Technology-Driven Homebuying: The adoption of digital homebuying solutions is likely to remain central to Brookfield’s strategy moving forward. Virtual home tours, AI-driven home recommendations, and online consultations will continue to enhance the customer experience.
• Enhanced Safety Standards: Moving forward, Brookfield Residential is committed to maintaining enhanced safety standards in both construction and customer engagement. This includes regular sanitation and mandatory PPE usage on job sites.
• Sustainable & Smart Home Designs: With an increased focus on health and wellness, sustainable and smart home designs are becoming more popular. Homes will feature air filtration systems, multi-functional spaces, and wellness-focused features that promote healthier living environments.
• Resilient Communities: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building resilient communities. Future projects will prioritize sustainable infrastructure and eco-friendly materials, making homes more resilient to future disruptions.

Conclusion

Brookfield Residential’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be both innovative and adaptable. The company commitment to workplace safety protocols, flexible closing processes. Digital homebuying has allowed it to navigate through a global crisis while keeping the safety of its customers, employees, and communities at the forefront. As the world continues to adapt to the new normal, Brookfield’s focus on sustainability, technology-driven solutions. And enhanced safety measures ensures that it will remain a leader in the real estate market for years to come.