Canadian Funding Corp Review – The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts reached 150,100 units in September compared to 157,300 units in August, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
“The decline in housing starts in September is attributable to the volatile multiple starts segment,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “However, starts of single homes, which are a barometer of the trend in housing markets, climbed in September to reach their highest level so far this year. The rebound in existing home sales and the upward trend in new home construction, support our expectation that housing demand has strengthened and that housing starts will be stronger in the second half of 2009.”
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts declined by 5.2 per cent to 131,500 units in September. Urban multiple starts decreased by 21.4 per cent to 62,700 units, while urban single starts moved up 16.8 per cent to 68,800 units in September.
September’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 11.8 per cent in Ontario, decreased by 20.2 per cent in Quebec, by 18.1 per cent in British Columbia, and by 4.7 per cent in the Atlantic, and was unchanged in the Prairies.
Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 18,600 units in September.
Canadian Funding Corp Reviews Sustainability, August, 2009 – The Government of Canada today marked the start of construction of the Harmony House demonstration project, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home to be built in Burnaby.
The home will be designed by Habitat Design + Consulting Ltd. and constructed by Insightful Healthy Homes Inc. as part of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC’s) EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages designers, builders and developers to design and build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.
Senator Yonah Martin, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined today by Chris Mattock, President, Habitat Design + Consulting Ltd. and Arthur Lo, President, Insightful Healthy Homes Inc., along with sponsors and supporters in the ground-breaking of one of two EQuilibrium™ demonstration homes to be constructed in British Columbia.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the private sector to develop such innovative homes. We congratulate Habitat Design + Consulting Ltd. and Insightful Healthy Homes Inc. on their winning design/concept and commitment to environmental responsibility,” said Senator Martin. “Harmony House is another example in British Columbia of how beautiful and healthy homes can also conserve energy and resources, and reduce pollutant emissions.”
The Harmony House team will integrate optimal solar orientation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems into the design and construction of the home, in addition to using natural materials with low levels of pollutants. Photovoltaic panels will supply all the electrical energy needs of the home on an annual basis. Excess electrical energy produced during the day will be fed into the power grid. A “green switch” will turn off all unnecessary circuits at night and when the occupants are out. To reduce water use, landscaping will incorporate indigenous plants which will be irrigated with captured rainwater.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with CMHC and are extremely excited about how this project has come together,” said Mr. Lo. “Thanks to our dedicated team of experts and materials suppliers in fields such as solar energy, ventilation and indoor air quality, we are showcasing not just leading-edge design and construction, but what we believe is the future of healthy living.”
”Having the owners on board from the design stage has really helped shape this project,” said Mr. Mattock. “We have designed a live/work space for increased density living that will enable the owners to operate a complementary health care practice from a separate office space, cutting down on commuting and energy costs.”
Harmony House is one of 15 projects that have won CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ sustainable housing competitions since the initiative was launched in 2006. All EQuilibrium™ projects will be open to both the general public and professional audiences for tours, and then monitored for performance by CMHC for one year, once occupied.
Canadian Funding Corp Reviews Sustainability, August, 2009 – The Government of Canada today marked the start of construction of the Green Dream Home demonstration project, an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home to be built in Kamloops.
The home will be constructed by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior (CHBA CI), in partnership with Thompson Rivers University (TRU), as part of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC’s) EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.
Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined today by Darryl Caunt, President, CHBA CI, and Dr. Ulrich Scheck, Provost and Vice-President Academic, TRU, along with sponsors and supporters in the ground-breaking of the first demonstration home of its kind in British Columbia.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the private sector to develop such innovative homes. We congratulate CHBA CI and TRU on their winning design/concept and commitment to environmental responsibility,” said MP McLeod. “The Kamloops Green Dream Home gives people in this region an opportunity to see first-hand how we can create beautiful, healthy homes, conserve energy and resources, and reduce pollutant emissions.”
The Kamloops Green Dream Home will integrate optimal solar orientation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems into its design and construction, in addition to using natural materials with low levels of pollutants. To reduce water use, rainwater will be captured and drought-resistant native plants will be used on the site. The Green Dream Home will be built primarily by TRU students as part of their training program. Once completed, the home will be open for public tours and then raffled off to raise funds for a local charity.
“We are proud that this project will showcase leading innovations in home energy efficiency and environmental responsibility for our local community, and serve as an example for similar projects across the country,” said Darryl Caunt.
“The Green Dream Home is an amazing opportunity for Thompson Rivers University students and faculty to be involved in a project that integrates all the elements that define TRU as the university of choice for environmental sustainability, career success and student engagement,” said Dr. Scheck. “The practical experience gained by participating in this initiative will enable our graduates to pursue careers as future leaders who will help Canadians develop and live in sustainable communities.”
The Green Dream Home is one of 15 projects that won CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ sustainable housing competitions since the initiative was launched in 2006. All EQuilibrium™ projects will be open to both the general public and professional audiences for tours, and then monitored for performance by CMHC for one year, once occupied.
CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative provides a new approach to housing in Canada, representing a fundamental change in the way Canadians think about their homes. It strives to balance our housing needs with environmental concerns. It brings together — under one roof — the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, and reduced environmental impact.