This past Tuesday, Vancouver City Council approved a new Development Approval Procedure (DAP) By-law, streamlining the rezoning process by eliminating public hearings for many projects. While the change was prompted by…
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There’s a significant opportunity to make existing multi-unit residential buildings much more energy efficient so they continue to provide homes while reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions into the…
DetailsIn a welcome move to improve housing affordability and stimulate the market, the federal government announced last week a new GST rebate for first-time home buyers, effective May 27, 2025. The…
DetailsPrime Minister Mark Carney announced his cabinet on May 13, consisting of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, 24 of which are new faces in cabinet, including 13 first-time Members of…
DetailsFirst, let’s examine what is happening in the world of judicial recounts based on razor-thin vote margins across the country in four separate electoral ridings. Will the recounts change anything?…
DetailsPrime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals pulled off an election result that was reminiscent of a classic [North] Hollywood underdog story – a federal party recording some of their…
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HAVAN CEO Wendy McNeil sits down with Guido Wimmers, Dean of BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment, to explore the pivotal role education plays in equipping the people and resources needed to build the homes our communities urgently require. Tune in — you might be surprised by Guido’s eye-opening insights.
DetailsCanadians head to the polls today, and with a record-setting 7.3 million people casting their vote during advance polls, it will be interesting to see the numbers going to the polls today.…
DetailsAs highlighted in Saturday’s GRU, the City of Vancouver’s byelections took place on Saturday. The byelection saw record advanced turnout and high interest, leaving many voters frustrated as they waited hours…
DetailsWeek One of the federal election campaign is behind us and let’s see how things are playing out. As of March 30th, Ipsos have the Liberals leading over Conservatives with…
DetailsOver the next 36 days, we will take a dive into what a federal election means for Canadians, for British Columbians, for the housing industry, and will keep a close…
DetailsAs mentioned in HAVAN’s GRU newsletter that went out this past Saturday, there have been a flurry of new actions, initiatives, and guidance documents that have been released by the Province and…
DetailsIN CASE YOU MISSED IT HAVAN shared the BC Budget overview in a special notice to members last Tuesday. 1 IN 5 UNITS: ADAPTABLE DWELLINGS; SEISMIC IN EFFECT In an announcement…
DetailsDear HAVAN Members, Like all of you, we are disappointed – although not surprised – that U.S. President Donald Trump re-instated the 25% tariffs on imported goods coming from Canada, and 10%…
DetailsLast Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia delivered her first Speech from the Throne, outlining Premier David Eby’s government’s priorities for the upcoming year. It is no surprise that in the face of the…
DetailsWith increased media attention, industry backlash, and public scrutiny over its well-documented infrastructure project cost overruns, out-of-touch DCC hikes and lucrative paydays, Metro Vancouver will be asking the Province to…
DetailsToday’s late edition of Monday Morning Briefing has been waiting to share the good news (at least for now) that President Trump will be holding off on the tariffs for at least 30…
DetailsAfter the election and last week’s release of Ministerial Mandates, what’s next for the provincial government? With the Throne Speech scheduled for February 18th and Budget Day on March 4th,…
DetailsThis morning, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of American, and the world is closely watching the implications of his leadership. Trump’s re-election…
DetailsAs HAVAN and its members continue to provide feedback to 21 municipalities and the Metro Vancouver Regional District regarding developer fees and charges, HAVAN is in the process of submitting…
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Tune in as HAVAN’s Acting CEO Wendy McNeil continues her conversation with Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ravi Kahlon, who shares his outlook for 2025.
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Tune in as Wendy McNeil, Acting CEO catches up with newly re-elected Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ravi Kahlon. Minister Kahlon provides a market update on the NDPs housing initiatives and his take on advancing housing solutions across British Columbia in the face of increasing DCCs and current market challenges.
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Successful teams thrive on collaboration built on open communication, trust, and shared goals to navigate renovation challenges. Award-winning designer Jessica Bremner and builder Andrew Kennedy showcase the synergy of design and construction, demonstrating the dedication it takes to achieve exceptional results. Tune in now!
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Luxury Homes and budgets don’t go hand in hand – or do they? Troy Van Vliet of TAVAN Developments shares his strategies for staying on budget when building luxury homes in Vancouver’s high end market.
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Hiring and working with a dynamic duo can lead to many great outcomes, including a multitude of accolades. In the case of Aleem Kassam of Kalu Interiors and Dave Bowes of Tall Tree Construction, this team brought in multiple wins at the 2024 HAVAN Awards. Tune in for award-winning tips!
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Nick Petrie of Phase One Design is passionate about building codes. And that’s a good thing! With 27 different jurisdictions across the Lower Mainland with an estimated 350 different zones, having someone like Nick on your team is a smart move. Tune in for tips and market updates from Nick!
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Bryan Baeumler of HGTV fame and Graeme Huguet of My House Design/Build Team are back talking to Mike and Jennifer-Lee about keeping homebuilding and renovations real; focusing on what is important to ensure your investment is protected and the home you build can stand the test of time. Tune in now!
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Celebrating his 2024 HAVAN Awards Single Family Builder of the Year award, Ryan O’Shea of Miracon Development shares the company’s philosophy for the single-family home and building community.
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Celebrating her 2024 HAVAN Awards win as Interior Designer of the Year, Sarah Gallop, of Sarah Gallop Design Inc shares her approach to designing award-winning homes. Tune in. This episode is a winner!
DetailsHappy New Year! I hope you had a chance to disconnect over the holiday season and are ready for a healthy and prosperous 2025. The big news to kick off…
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Bryn Davidson of LaneFab Design/Build has been building in the small-housing, multi-family space for over a decade. Tune in and learn what Bryn has to say about Bill44 and the new Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH).
DetailsIt’s safe to say that all of us are looking forward to some well-deserved rest and reprieve during this holiday season. It’s been a tough year for this industry with…
DetailsInstead of writing to the big man in red, maybe it’s time we asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure for this year’s holiday wish list. Development Cost Charges (DCCs)…
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Five years ago, Mark Liptok and his wife embarked on an inspiring journey to downsize from their family home while retaining enough space to entertain their large family and grandchildren.…
DetailsHow did we get here? On July 13, 2016, Council approved the Zero Emissions Building Plan that was developed with industry and established a regulatory framework to set and progressively…
DetailsGonna find out who’s naughty and nice. In May 2023, the new Housing Supply Act and Housing Supply Regulation came into effect, giving the BC Government the authority to set…
DetailsWith apologies, that the Monday Morning Briefing didn’t get to your email this morning, we wanted to hold off and share the government announcements that took place earlier today. With…
DetailsResearch, Education, and Advocacy Focus: Trusted Advisors to Municipal Governments This past year has been a pivotal one for housing advocacy, with significant actions taken by government to expedite housing…
DetailsHere we are, nine days post-election day, still waiting for final results in what is a razor-thin margin in which one riding change could mean the difference between a minority…
DetailsHAVAN’s 2024/2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COUNCIL CHAIRS ANNOUNCED Vancouver, BC – Members of the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) elected Alisa Aragon-Lloyd, founder and CEO, Bridgestone Financing Pros as their 2024/2025 Chair at…
DetailsAs we approach the provincial election, housing remains a critical issue for voters across BC. The ongoing housing crisis, characterized by limited supply, increased building costs, market uncertainty, and regulatory…
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As the saying goes – “your home is your castle”, it’s your safe place, a place you make memories, grow your family, enjoy friends old and new, meet new neighbours,…
DetailsAround this time last year, it was announced that the Metro Vancouver Regional District was planning to more than double — even triple, in some cases — its Water DCC…
DetailsNext week in Vancouver the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be hosting its annual convention, a gathering of over 2,000 local government elected officials, influencers and provincial government representatives. For over…
DetailsEXPANSION OF 30-YEAR AMORTIZATIONS AND INCREASED INSURED MORTGAGE CAP At a press conference this morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced significant reforms to the Canadian…
DetailsIt is with a heavy heart that I write this guest edition of MMB. Ron Rapp and I knew each other in Toronto, where he held a senior position with…
DetailsAs we look forward to the fall, the pending provincial election is top of mind. HAVAN, with our 1,100 members across the Lower Mainland’s 21 municipalities, collectively represent a powerful…
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Designing and renovating a small living room can be a delightful challenge. With the right strategies, you can transform even the coziest of spaces into a stylish, functional area that…
DetailsThe need for affordable housing solutions has never been more urgent. While advancements in building science have paved the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable homes, they are not a…
DetailsAs we head into a summer lull, we look to local governments that recently are realizing that some of their well-intentioned decisions have consequences that might have been previously considered.…
DetailsHAVAN Members, By now, many of you have heard former HAVAN CEO Ron Rapp passed peacefully last Thursday, July 18 surrounded by family and friends. We are re-posting the following…
DetailsAs the temperatures are soaring across the province, WorkSafeBC’s new Heat stress screening tool is now available on the resources section of the Heat stress page on worksafebc.com. Users can use this interactive tool…
DetailsWell, the June 30th deadline for local governments to enact legislation to align with the Provincial Government Bills 44 and 47, has come and gone. And across the region, there has been…
DetailsIn case you missed the original announcement last week, we announced that Ron Rapp, HAVAN CEO, stepped down to focus on his health and family. As many of you…
DetailsFrom its humble beginnings as a small gathering of builders and suppliers in the New Westminster Legion Hall basement 50 years ago, to becoming the largest homebuilders association in BC…
DetailsThe province launched a new digital Building Permit Hub on May 27 in its next step to help build homes faster and address challenges in B.C.’s housing market. Still in…
DetailsAs we count down—just two weeks and three days left—until HAVAN’s 50th anniversary celebration, we’ve been digging in our archives and discovered an advertisement from 1974 promoting a government program…
DetailsLast week May 23 – May 25 saw the CHBA-BC Provincial Meetings and Georgie Awards taking place at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver. These meetings include networking, education, special guests,…
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Renovating 20+ kitchens every year, Julie Hale from Trail Appliances knows a thing or two about how to determine which appliances will work for you and how to design the ultimate kitchen that works for you. Tune in the hear the latest kitchen design and appliance trends, and optimize your next renovation!
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– Jamie Banfield, Principal Designer Jamie Banfield Design Inc. A well-designed bathroom can significantly boost a home’s value, making it more appealing to potential buyers. At Jamie Banfield Design Inc., we’ve…
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According to Bobby Purba of BDC Homes, who has built many multi-plex and multi-generational homes, talking about generational wealth and real estate can be tough, but says these conversations need to S.U.C.K. Sharing insight on the new multiplex legislation, listen in as Bobby offers tips and recommends the professionals to consult before you start unlockinh your home equity.
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Looking at housing through a holistic lens, Sara Goldvine from BC Housing dives into the concept of housing as a system. Providing an overview of BC Housing and solutions to address our housing crisis such as the BC Builds Program and the new Secondary Suite Incentive Program, benefits of builder licensing, and the 2-5-10 Home Warranty Program are also reviewed.
DetailsLast week In Saint John, New Brunswick the CHBA National Housing Week took place bringing members, HBA staff, EOs, and sponsors together for a week of committee meetings, AMM Meeting,…
DetailsThe grand halls of the JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver set the stage for an unforgettable evening of galactic celebration as esteemed members gathered for the unveiling of the…
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Meet Laurel James, the design-half of the award-winning Novell Design Build team. Passionate about building homes for families of all configurations, Laurel approaches design with a curious and thoughtful eye to ensure the dwelling spaces nurture our creature comforts. Listen in as Laurel shares her thoughts on multi-family dwellings and the latest provincial regulations.
DetailsSorry, it’s not Santa Claus – it’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. Last week the Ministry of Housing announced the next 20 communities to be issued prescribed housing targets – also…
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Mike and Jennifer-Lee explore the benefits of working with an Energy Advisor to calculate the building envelope, mechanical systems, and the air-tightness of your home to help provide choice, manage budgets, and above all, increase the comfort of your home when building new or renovating. A performance-based process, tune in for tips from Barb Silverthorn of Capture Energy.
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Looking into windows, one quickly realizes there are many considerations and potential unintended consequences that can impact the heating and cooling, plus the affordability, and comfort of your home. Speaking with Anton Van Dyk of Layton Consulting, Mike and Jennifer-Lee look into the importance of proper window selection.
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Imagine a home that’s not just a shelter, but a cozy haven that’s kind to both your living environment and the planet. That’s the essence of Passive House Design, a…
DetailsOn Friday, April 12, 2024, the Federal government announced and released details for Canada’s Housing Plan. Per the backgrounder provided by the federal government “Through Canada’s Housing Plan, the government…
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Discover the remarkable journey of resurrecting Phoenix House, a home devastated by fire, as the homeowners look to rebuild to the prestigious Zero Carbon certification standard. Join Mike and Jennifer-Lee as they delve into the extraordinary efforts of the homeowner and team of industry experts including Best Builders.
DetailsThis past week there were no less than 3 major housing announcements from the Federal government totaling $21.6 billion. MAJOR FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS Infrastructure Fund Allocation The week kicked off with…
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Discover the challenges and triumphs of renovating a 112-year-old home as we bring back the builder – TQ Construction, and the homeowner, Dr Janet Simons, to review the high-performance whole home renovation project. Including lessons learned, scope creep, and pesky woodpeckers, this episode is packed with information to help you on your next home renovation.
DetailsAs an industry, we have been busy trying to assess the impact of the many pieces of housing legislation introduced by the province over the course of the last eighteen…
DetailsSAG, Golden Globes, Emmy’s, Tony’s, the Oscars, and a bunch of other awards have all been handed out over the last few weeks, but all are overshadowed by the highly…
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Are you eager to transform your living space into a haven of style and comfort? The exciting world of interior design in 2024 has plenty of trends to inspire and…
DetailsLast week the federal government announced the $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) was exhausted, and all funds had been earmarked for about 150 communities across Canada. These monies, specifically…
Details“In Stream” applications are applications that have been duly submitted into the approval process with the goal of satisfying stipulated requirements of the municipality to secure a development permit or…
DetailsDo we have a housing crisis or don’t we? Has this crisis grown to a critical point where the ability to afford a home either purchased or rental is exceeding…
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The kitchen is the heart of the home, a space where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are created. Whether you’re renovating your existing kitchen or building a new…
DetailsAs noted in previous Monday Morning Briefings (MMB) and Government Relations Updates (GRU), there has been no end to government consultations on competing fronts of crisis and we encourage all…
DetailsIt was a full house last week as we celebrated our 2024 Legends of Housing (50-Year Retrospective and Future Outlook), as an inaugural kick-off to HAVANs 50th anniversary which will roll…
Details2023 had been a tough year for the construction industry and between rising construction costs, development cost charges, community amenity charges, interest rates, inflation, etc., the private sector continued to…
DetailsHEADWINDS PREVAILING … The prevailing interest rate environment, a key factor shaping the 2024 housing landscape, is poised for the first Bank of Canada Rate announcement scheduled this Thursday, January…
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Renovating a character home in Vancouver can be both exhilarating and challenging. These homes, with their unique features and historical significance, demand meticulous planning and execution to retain their charm…
DetailsLooking towards a more sustainable future. As we embark on a new year, a holistic approach to the homes we are building is predicted for 2024 and beyond. Recognizing the…
DetailsAs we begin our new fiscal year and look forward to 2024, I wish to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Chair, Henri Belisle of TQ Construction, who,…
DetailsThe fall of 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented surge in announcements and housing-related legislation, surpassing the cumulative measures introduced over the past decade. The sheer scope, scale, and volume of…
DetailsSubmitted by Diana Dilworth, Director of Government Relations December 4, 2023 It was a few long days spent in Victoria last week as HAVAN participated in CHBA-BC’s Day at the…
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Zane Erickson from ZED Studio believes every home has a soul, and dreaming of homes on a large luxury scale, Zane’s passion for design helps to navigate building realities. Tune in and learns how Zane navigates dreams and reality.
DetailsThe recent string of housing announcements by the Province since the beginning of November represents the most significant changes in how we approach zoning, approvals, as-of-right zoning, infrastructure financing, short-term…
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Graeme Huguet, Renovator of the Year from My House Design Build Team, is joined by the Chu family and together they recount their renovation journey through the pandemic. Recognized as the first certified Platinum Built Green Plus Net Zero renovated home in British Columbia, it’s a winner!
DetailsANNOUNCEMENTS FOR YOU, … AND YOU, … AND YOU … Over the past few weeks, the Province of BC, with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, has made four noteworthy announcements addressing…
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How do two siblings take their grandma’s home gifted to them and transform it into a duplex for two growing families? They connect with Interior Designer of the Year Katerina Vastardis of Designs by KS and Paul Shepski of Geography Contracting for award-winning design building solutions.
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Award-winning duo Madeleine Design Group and Quinton Construction share the secret of their success as they transform a heritage-style home to bring it back to ‘what it wants to be when it grows up.’ A great renovation story, tune in and learn about this amazing transformation.
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