As mentioned recently, Moishe Alexander notified blog readership that the seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts was 201,700 units in April, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), up slightly from a revised 199,200 units in March.
“Higher multiple starts were nearly offset by a decline in single starts and rural area2 starts in April. As a result, total housing starts edged higher in April,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 5.1 per cent to 182,500 units in April. Urban multiple starts increased by 27.2 per cent to 98,600 units, while single urban starts decreased by 12.7 per cent to 83,900 units.
April’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased 16.4 per cent in British Columbia, 6.7 per cent in the Prairie region, 4.5 per cent in Ontario, and 1.1 per cent in Quebec. Urban starts decreased 3.3 per cent in Atlantic Canada.
Moishe Alexander presents remarks oh housing starts
Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 19,200 units in April.
As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of high quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making vital decisions.
Moishe Alexander, Canadian Funding Corp. – The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia today announced that social housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will receive $11.8 million for repairs and renovations, and an additional investment of $2.25 million for the construction of new housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. In total, this investment represents over $14 million for affordable housing in HRM.
Moishe Alexander notes that the funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $96 million under the amended Canada – Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing. It also provides a total of $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing, including $400 million for housing for low-income seniors and $75 million for housing for people with disabilities.
The Greystone project, located in Spryfield, will receive $5.9 million for repairs and renovation of 246 units for seniors and families. The Ida Mae Marriott project, also located in Spryfield, will receive $3.15 million to construct 15 new units and to regenerate six existing units for a total of 21 units, which includes 18 units for seniors and three units for people with disabilities. The remainder of nearly $5 million will be distributed amongst 10 projects (a total of 950 units for seniors and families) located throughout HRM for repairs and renovations. Repairs to the housing projects will include exterior refurbishments, including roofs, siding, windows and doors, in addition to interior upgrades to kitchens.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services, made the announcement today.
“Our Government remains committed through our ongoing Economic Action Plan to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Nova Scotia,” said Minister MacKay. “That’s why we’re proud to be investing in the construction and renovation of these units in Halifax, which will provide safe, affordable homes for years to come.”
“The province is committed to making life better for families in Nova Scotia. Housing is a fundamental part of the equation,” said Minister Peterson-Rafuse. “We are very happy to improve and increase affordable housing in metro Halifax. This investment will mean more families, seniors, and people with disabilities will be living in safe, comfortable, accessible homes.”
Moishe Alexander review CMHC Report – The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that $1.7 million in renovation and retrofit work on 125 Newfoundland Labrador Housing units, including co-operatives and non-profit housing properties in the Labrador Region is making a significant difference to these homes.
Renovations and Retrofits in Labrador – Moishe Alexander
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which is a federal plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The Federal and Provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.
The funding is being used for items such as the replacement of roofing, siding, windows and doors, and a complete retrofit of the interiors, which can include the replacement of flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, flooring, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures for future use.
As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador — Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing, made the announcement today.
“Through our ongoing Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s why we’re proud to be investing in the renovation and retrofit of these 125 units,” said Minister MacKay. “These projects are a good way to get the local economy moving, because they put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, while also providing safe, affordable homes for years to come.”
“This renovation and retrofit work will move Newfoundland Labrador Housing and our Provincial Government closer to addressing the need for decent, safe and affordable housing throughout the province,” said Minister Hedderson. “Our government understands how important adequate housing is to the physical and emotional health, and productivity of families, individuals, seniors and persons with disabilities as well as to their communities.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.