Ron Rapp, CEO | Twitter: @havan_ceo |
|
|
|
FAREWELL 2021 ... HELLO TO 2022
On the threshold of 2022, we were all hoping it would be a “post-COVID 19” environment, but this does not appear to be the case. The pandemic has challenged all of us personally and professionally for over 20 months, and the emergence of multiple “variants of concern” will continue to do so well into 2022. All sectors of our industry are to be thanked and commended for adopting the necessary policies and protocols that align with the Provincial regulations, which has allowed our industry to continue working throughout the course of the pandemic.
The near-term outlook for 2022 will have to include coping with C19 variants, but the economy has, and is, showing signs of recovery with employment levels above pre-COVID thresholds, economic growth tagged at an annualized rate of over 5%, and a housing market that is maintaining a high level of demand in the face of limited or diminishing supply.
The road ahead points at a housing market that is still coping with a chronic supply shortage - a key factor in the affordability of available housing, however, it has now become universally accepted with all levels of government and industry that addressing ‘supply-side economics' is the key to increasing the availability of rental, below market, and market housing choices for consumers.
This has led directly to all levels of government undertaking meaningful efforts to close the gap between supply and demand. These include the establishment of a comprehensive National Housing Strategy which includes funding for energy-related retrofits, with the province and municipalities looking to streamline approvals and permitting processes and reviewing land-use policies to unlock all available resources.
Following through on these stated intentions will be essential to ensure the industry and governing institutions can serve the housing needs of our growing population in the Lower Mainland which through inter-provincial migration and pending immigration will be growing in line with the estimates of over one million additional residents within the next 10 years. The industry has, and continues to respond with creative, innovative, and varied options in multi and single-family product offerings, and is expanding purchase, rent to own, co-ownership, and purpose-built rental choices for the consumer.
The challenge of increasing density to increase availability and offset extremely high land values is also driving imaginative and varied architectural solutions across the spectrum of the housing continuum. 2022 will also see dramatic advances in energy conservation and high-performance construction with the adoption of Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code as a mandated and integral part of the BC Building Code.
These initiatives focus on energy high-performance and will be driving significant changes in building envelope integrity, energy choices, HVAC delivery, indoor air quality, window performance, the carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas intensity generated through the provision of new housing. All these initiatives focus on addressing the negative effects of climate change which we have all become acutely aware of through the course of the wildfires, heat dome, and flooding, that along with C19 characterized our lives in 2021.
Home renovations and energy retrofits will also remain at heightened levels of activity with numerous grant, and loan programs driving the move to higher performance, and with consumers choosing to upgrade their homes by accessing their increased equity realized over the last two years or more. Many of our contractor members are reporting that their job calendars are full for the next 24 months, with renovations and home purchases being fueled by a low interest rate environment that will likely continue well into the second quarter of 2022.
The market remains extraordinarily robust, resilient, and vibrant, and the imperative to deliver products across the spectrum is crucial. It remains to be seen whether all three levels of government, despite all the optics and rhetoric, can create the environment to allow those goals to be met.
We hope that with numerous municipal reviews of intake and processes, the commitment of the province to “action” the DAPR recommendations, and the Feds pushing fresh initiatives and fiscal policy, that our sector can advance in a collaborative fashion to plan, design, develop, and construct the homes we need and require to support the pending growth.
The Homebuilders Association Vancouver will focus on continuing to work with local government and industry to deliver the housing required to meet the needs of our communities. Recognizing inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, chronic labour shortages, and potential interest rate increases will be the challenges for industry on the “supply-side”, and it is imperative for all levels of government to establish the means to unlock the barriers to home ownership and market rental housing.
This will be the last MMB for 2021 and HAVAN wishes to thank all of our members for their ongoing support, and we look forward to continuing to deliver good value to, advocate for, and represent the best interests of our members and the residential construction sector into the future. Thank you to the HAVAN staff, the Board, all the HAVAN committees, and all who generously contribute your time and energies to this Association and our industry. We wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season, and best wishes for a safe, joyful, and prosperous new year in 2022! Thank you - the next MMB will be issued on January 10, 2022. Cheers
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM havan, actually.
|
|
|
|
QUICK BITES ...
-
Reuters presents this overview of how employers are being forced to accommodate the unvaccinated as not doing so would only exasperate their labour issues. The employment reports from last week suggested that employment levels are at or beyond per-C19 levels, but members across all sectors are commenting on their dire need for more labour resources. No employers can afford to lose anymore staff and are seeking the means to continue to retain those workers that are not vaccinated. We have also seen a sharp increase in demands to release millions of Rapid Testing kits.
-
Vancouver is Awesome discusses the situation due to local Metro Vancouver officials failing to properly fund the maintenance and expansion of critical infrastructure, such as commercial and domestic water supply, that once again the residential construction sector will face DCC increases to help address the short fall. Estimates indicate that these additional charges will amount to more than $1000 per door. This infrastructure is essential to facilitate the projected growth in the metro area and the ability for our members to construct new projects. Even with the additional DCC’s the monies required cannot be met and participation from other levels of government, and tax contributions from metro residents will be required
-
The Financial Post reports that “Policymakers should examine new housing data before proposing solutions.” The article points out that different levels of government and agencies are effectively “working within silos” and are not taking into account the broadly disparate housing needs and the variations of those needs by region and or demographics. The article presents an interesting overview and provides stats that challenge a number of widely accepted “tropes’ about needs. “The housing experiences of Canadians and their unmet needs are diverse, starkly different in some cases, and not just confined to the distinct cohorts of homeowners and renters, which is why policymakers and the private sector need to develop deep insights before trying to deliver solutions”
-
The Globe and Mail provides this piece on the implications of a shift into “electrification” as a means to curb our carbon footprint and reduce GHG emissions. Even though Canada is in the top ten of electricity producers globally, and figures prominently with advances in alternate generating technologies, the fact is: “Electrification – that is, hooking up our vehicles, heating systems and industry to a clean electricity grid – will require Canada to produce roughly twice as much non-emitting electricity as it does today in just under three decades” Answering this need that is required to meet the climate challenge will demand leadership, creativity, and imagination – just the things that governments at all levels are really good at.
-
On the subject of innovation and the challenges faced when seeking to try to introduce alternative housing options, this piece in the Vancouver Sun outlines how a “co-ownership group” called Little Mountain Cohousing “… replaced three expensive detached homes with 25 apartments that middle-income people could afford.”. This community-based group faced the same challenges our members encounter daily across the region. “ … despite the high praise our project received from politicians and planners, it took us two and a half years for us to get permission to build. Each month of waiting cost us $55,000 in consultant fees and loan interest. If we had gained permission within a year, we would have saved a whopping $40,000 per apartment.”
-
BC Housing released the New Homes Registry Report for November 2021 report providing comprehensive stats by housing type and region. Highlights include: 49.668 new homes registered, with 11,389 SFD, and 38,297 multis. For 2021 new home registrations are up by 76.9% over 2020. Please see the comprehensive stats in the body of the report.
- For the final comment in 2021:
|
|
|
|
These two “In-Fill” gingerbread houses were slated for approval by a local municipality - the middle and home on the right were both “eaten” after objections over height from existing neighbors‼️ Concerns were also raised about shadowing, density, traffic, overlook, and diminished confectionary value! Staff will work with the proponent bakers to come up with something more … uhhh, palatable⁉️😂🎄🎄🎄 Happy holidays to all! |
|
|
|
HAVAN AWARDS: YOUR LOCAL AWARDS
DESIGN. BUILD. ENTER. WIN.
|
|
|
|
YOU HAVE STARTED ON YOUR
2022 HAVAN AWARDS ENTRIES, RIGHT?
The industry is busy.
You're swamped.
Why enter the HAVAN Awards when business is good?
Smart companies understand the importance of marketing when you are busy to STAY busy, not just when business starts slowing down -- that's when it's usually too late. Think about your favourite brands: they stay top of your mind because of their constant marketing to you, their target market, so when you are ready to buy, you will remember them first.
Stay top of mind of homeowners so when they are ready to buy, build, renovate or design their home, your award-winning work makes them call you first. Get started on your HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence entries! The Call for Entries closes on Monday, January 17 -- less than 6 weeks from today!
Whether you enter a single kitchen renovation or a new master-planned community, the HAVAN Awards offers a wide variety of categories to showcase your work and leverage your Finalist and Winner accolades to connect with past, current, and future clients.
Metro Vancouver is a competitive region with many talented companies in the homebuilding and design industry. Stand out and get noticed -- bring home a HAVAN Award in 2022!
1. Download the 2022 HAVAN Awards Call for Entries PDF package now. The package includes everything you need: entry rules, eligibility, categories, criteria, budget worksheet, permission forms, and award resources.
2. Check out the HAVAN Awards webpages to read more Frequently Asked Questions page, check out past finalists and winners, and more.
4. Don't have time to do your submissions? There are members who do specialize in photography, writing, and full award services packages to make it easier for you to enter. Here is a list to get you started.
5. If you have specific questions, connect with Wendy McNeil at HAVAN ([email protected]).
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Gain access to TWO exclusive premiere networking events by sponsoring the awards program. Contact [email protected] for details.
|
|
|
|
HOLD TO DATE! THE LEGENDS ARE COMING!
Tuesday, February 2, 2022
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
HAVAN’s Legends of Housing, presented by FortisBC, is one of the most anticipated annual events of the year, featuring three of the construction industry’s top influencers and trailblazers who have helped shape today's Metro Vancouver housing market and will influence its future. Details coming in January!
|
|
|
|
HOME DESIGN & RENO SHOW
Sponsored by Western Living Magazine
|
|
|
|
LOOKING TO CONNECT FACE-TO-FACE WITH CONSUMERS?
Saturday, April 2, 2022
9:30am - 4pm
Sign up for the Home Design & Reno Show sponsored by Western Living Magazine.
A unique boutique show held at VanDusen Garden, with a focus on home design
featuring designers, and renovators, this event attracts homeowners actively
focused on home renovations looking to source professionals who can inspire and bring
|
|
|
|
|
|
IT'S A DOG'S LIFE
We are looking for the parting shot for the Contact 2022 Directory, featuring a dog, or other creature to promote 'Building the Home Your Dog Deserves.' Selected photo to be featured, with credit in the ad running in Contact 2022 (distribution 12,000) via home shows, retail outlets, and membership.
|
|
|
|
HAVAN Spotlight: Robert Banks
|
|
|
|
Word of Mouth Floors does three things exceptionally well. Backed by 100 sourcing trips to China and 100 trips to Europe (1), they take customer relations to the next level (2), with experience running the largest online digital selection (3). New HAVAN member Robert Banks likes hockey, beer, and family, not always in that order! Knowing a thing or two about karaoke, and Jeeps, Robert is happy to buy a beer to HAVAN members who reach out! Hang on Robert, we have 1100+ members! Check out Robert's Spotlight.
|
|
|
|
HAVAN now offers a Career Page where employers can post jobs and people who are looking for work can post their resumes too. We will be reaching out to local trade schools with this new feature, making it a great time to post your available positions. Help spread the news! #HAVANconnects
|
|
|
|
Position: Project Manager - Sustainable Construction Consulting
Term: Permanent Full Time
Number of Positions: 1
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
Job Start Date: ASAP
Job Location: Burnaby
E3 Eco Group is growing, and we are looking for a smart, fun, keen learner to help us carry out our day-to-day operations as Project Manager. At E3, Project Managers are one of the most essential parts of our business. Project Managers carry out the day-to-day tasks to deliver industry-best project work that E3 is known for. Project Managers are often the first point of contact for our clients, so they tackle problems to the ground and get better results as they go. MORE. |
|
|
|
Position: Commissioning (Cx) Site Tester - Sustainable Construction Consulting
Number of Positions: 1
Application Deadline: 31 Jan 2022
Job Start Date: ASAP
At E3, Commissioning (Cx) Site Testers carry out one of the most vital parts of our business: conducting reviews, inspections and testing on-site, providing photo documentation, and collecting accurate data to produce high-quality reports that E3 is known for. Cx Site Testers often communicate and interpret test results on site with clients, using their problem-solving abilities to help clients obtain better results. Cx Site Testers at E3 are organized, punctual, and reliable – daily duties include scheduling site visits and tests, keeping appointments, developing relationships and effective communication with Site Supervisors, and working with Project Managers to help complete project certifications on time. MORE.
|
|
|
|
Position: Energy Modeller
Term: Permanent Full Time
Number of Positions: 1
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
Job Start Date: ASAP
Job Location: Burnaby
At E3, Energy Modellers are a vital part of our business, supporting the delivery of industry-best project work that E3 is well known for. Energy Modellers offer support to Project Managers working on multiple projects, to ensure that models are effectively completed on budget, on time, and per quality and certification expectations. On top of this, Energy Modellers at E3 are great team players – always working well with their team and stakeholders. MORE.
|
|
|
|
2022 BUILDERS' BREAKFAST
10-PACKS PACKED WITH EVEN BETTER BENEFITS
20 CPDS
20% SAVINGS OFF COURSE PRICE
5 FREE ADDITIONAL WEBINAR REGISTRATIONS
CONVENIENT - MOST COURSES ARE ONLINE
DISCOUNTED PRICING AT HAVAN IN-PERSON EDUCATION EVENTS
COURSE RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ON DEMAND
OPEN TO ALL HAVAN MEMBERS,
NOT JUST BUILDERS!
|
|
|
|
Committee meetings will be hosted online and in-person. Contact staff liaison for log-in details.
WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Meeting every two months. Next meeting: January 5th, 4:30pm online. Contact [email protected]
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: Thursday, January 6, 9:30am – 10:30am online. Contact [email protected]
EDUCATION & TRAINING: Tuesday, January 11, 9am - 10:30am, online. Contact [email protected]
SUPPLIERS' COUNCIL: Wednesday, January 19, 9:30am - 11:00am, Location TBC. Contact [email protected] (email with link goes out January 14)
TECH COMMITTEE: Thursday, January 20, 8:30a - 10:30a, Location TBC. Contact [email protected]
DESIGNERS COUNCIL: Tuesday, January 25, 9:30am - 10:30am, Open to Designer Company owner members only. Contact [email protected]
RENO COUNCIL: Tuesday, January 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Joey Burnaby: Open to Renovator Company owner members only. Contact [email protected]
|
|
|
|
CHBA WEBINAR:
Top Canadian Home Buying Trends Heading into 2022
This member-exclusive webinar will unveil the results from the 2021 Home Buyer Preference Survey. Learn about the top home buying trends through an in-depth look at this year’s data, including new questions that provide insight on how the pandemic has affected buying preferences, how people feel about aging in place features, and energy efficiency expectations. December 16 @ 1PM ET. Register here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAVAN is a symbol of integrity and trust. Consumers turn to HAVAN to source builders, renovators, products and services to build their homes which help shape the communities where people want to live. As Canada's second largest, fastest growing home builder association, HAVAN attracts the industry's best, providing leading advocacy initiatives, education and resources to help our member companies thrive. A not-for-profit association, HAVAN is proudly affiliated with both the provincial CHBA BC, and national CHBA offices. Together, we are building excellence. |
|
|
|
|
|
