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As 2024 comes to a close, CHBA BC would like to wish its members, partners and other industry professionals a safe and happy holiday season. As we reflect on the past year for the industry, we would like to provide the readers of CHBA BC's Provincial Update a look at some of the most accessed articles from the year. Our regular publication will resume Thursday, Jan. 9.
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Q & A: Mark Bernhardt, Home Builder and CHBA BC President
BC Hydro
From Oct. 10: Recently, BC Hydro sat down with CHBA BC President Mark Bernhardt to talk about how to produce better, more sustainable housing in B.C.
The Q&A covered new codes, the role of CHBA BC, and how governments and BC Hydro can support housing developments in the province.
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Province Releases New Clean Energy Strategy
BC Government
From July 4: Last Thursday, the Province released Powering Our Future: B.C.'s Clean Energy Strategy, which outlines the actions to accelerate the shift to clean energy and create new opportunities for people and businesses throughout B.C.
Several items align with CHBA BC’s asks during our Legislature Day in November 2023.
Some highlights include:
- investing more than $700 million in BC Hydro energy-efficiency programs over the next three years — a 60% increase from BC Hydro's last energy-efficiency budget;
- streamlining upgrades and new customer connections to BC Hydro's electricity grid to support the construction of new housing developments in growing communities;
- conducting regular, competitive calls for power every two years to ensure B.C. has the clean electricity it needs as the economy and population continue to grow, and is preparing for a future where electricity use needs double by 2050; and
- integrated utility planning between BC Hydro, FortisBC and Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) to help keep our energy system affordable, reliable and efficient in the transition to clean energy and a net zero economy.
To share comments or feedback, please contact Jenny Scott, CHBA BC's Director, Policy & Government Relations or Pauline Rupp, Director, Technical & Building Innovation
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Secondary Suite Program Expands, Adds Housing in 16 Regional Districts BC Government
BC Government
From Feb. 1: Eligibility for the upcoming Secondary Suites Incentive Program (SSIP) is being expanded to 16 regional districts.
The three-year pilot SSIP was introduced in September 2023 and is set to launch in April 2024 to support the delivery of as many as 1,000 affordable rental units per year for three years. To do so, the SSIP will provide approximately 3,000 homeowners with forgivable loans for as much as $40,000 to create a new secondary suite or an accessory dwelling unit on their property. To qualify, the units must be rented below market rates for at least five years.
Read the full announcement here.
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Show You're a Pro with the Digital Badge for Licensed Contractors
Technical Safety BC
From July 18: To help make it easier for the public to distinguish licensed contractors from unqualified workers or "trunk slammers," Technical Safety BC has introduced a digital badge specifically for licensed contractors to display.
The badge is editable so you can add your licence number and it can be used on any of your materials — from your branded vehicles to digital assets like websites. You can edit the files yourself or work with a printing company to customize it.
Click here to download the badge and read more details and conditions for use.
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New Regulation Intended to Speed Up Homebuilding
BC Government
From June 20: This week, the Province released regulations to provide greater clarity on what kind of information municipalities will be expected to collect for their Housing Needs Reports, as well as setting out standardized methods for calculating housing needs. Municipalities will be required to:
- Continue to complete an HNR every 5 years;
- Use the new provincial standardized method to calculate the 5- and 20-year housing needs in their respective municipalities;
- Include information about the need for housing close to transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure;
- Complete an interim HNR by January 1, 2025; and
- Update their OCPs and zoning bylaws to accommodate the housing need identified in the interim HNR by December 31, 2025.
The new regulations are in effect to standardize and improve community planning in the province and make it easier to get more homes built faster.
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Premier Eby Announces Mini-Cabinet Shuffle
BC government
From Jan. 18: This week, the Premier announced several changes to his cabinet. Most notably for CHBA BC, Andrew Mercier has moved from Minister of State for Workforce Development to Minister of Sustainable Forestry Innovation. Our association has enjoyed working closely with Minister Mercier in his previous role and we look forward to continuing that relationship in his new capacity.
We'll also be looking forward to working with the new minister who takes over the Workforce Development mandate when they are appointed.
The full announcement is available to read here.
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CHBA BC's New Directory Net Zero Qualified Energy Advisors & Builders
CHBA BC
From Jan. 25: This week, CHBA BC launched a new page on our website highlighting the Net Zero Home Labelling Program.
The page outlines the key role Energy Advisors play in delivering Net Zero Homes and Net Zero Renovations, conducting energy audits, energy modelling, taking the lead on submitting EnerGuide files through Service Organizations to Natural Resources Canada and providing resources to Builders, Renovators and Homeowners.
It also includes easy-to-use directories to find Net Zero Home Qualified Energy Advisors and Builders across B.C.
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Secondary Suite Program Launches
BC Government
From May 9: On May 2, the Province officially launched its three-year pilot of the new Secondary Suite Incentive Program. It will offer forgivable loans of as much as 50% of the total cost of renovations, up to a maximum of $40,000, for successful applicants to add a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit (garden suite, laneway house, carriage home, etc.) on the property of their primary residence.
CHBA BC CEO, Neil Moody provided a supportive quote for the launch of the program, "Across the province, many of our members are working with homeowners who see the value in adding a secondary suite to their home. The Secondary Suite Incentive Program will help to alleviate some of the financial burden on homeowners when they take on a project of this scope. It will help ensure the construction is completed safely and with the proper permitting and approvals."
Read the full announcement here.
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Dual Fuel Heating System Rebate
Fortis BC
From July 11: FortisBC is introducing a rebate of $10,000 to support customers who want to access the benefits of both the electric and gas systems by upgrading their aging gas furnace to an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. The dual fuel system consists of an air source heat pump paired with a high-efficiency natural gas furnace, both controlled by a connected thermostat.
Click here for more details.
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New Research Asks, Does High-Performance Construction Cost More?
BC Housing
From July 4: A new case study by BC Housing reviews the cost and energy performance of 38 BC Housing buildings, and the resulting data says high performance does not have to cost more.
The construction and performance of three of the 38 buildings is highlighted and examined in depth in the case study.
You can read the full case study here.
BC Housing also recently released the results of its Licensed Residential Builder Survey. The annual, province-wide survey includes builder profile information, construction activities, and satisfaction related to educational opportunities.
You can read a summary of the survey here.
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Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia
400-6400 Roberts Street | Burnaby, B.C., V5G 4C9
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