Episode 76: Your Builder Your Ally
From engineering roots to award-winning custom homes, Kevin Leskiw of Upward Construction shares how trust, teamwork, and strong communication turn challenges into opportunities.. Tune in now!
WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT
I’m pleased to have Jonathan Meads, Vice President of StreetSide Developments and HAVAN’s First Vice Chair contribute to this week’s Monday Briefing. StreetSide Developments builds multi-family homes throughout the Lower…
DetailsPOST BY MAYOR STEWART: BURDEN ON NEW HOMES & NEW BUYERS…
At HAVAN, we work closely with 22 municipalities across this region, advocating for transparent, consistent and industry-supportive housing policies and while we do not always agree, constructive (and consistent) dialogue…
DetailsBuilding Beyond the Dip: A Ground-Level Outlook for 2025
From Lull to Lift: How Experience Helps Us Read the Cycle After 30 years in this industry – first in marketing and sales for residential developers, now as a Financing…
DetailsDCC Relief Offers Breathing Room, But Financial Pressures Remain…
Last week was a busy one for the Ministry of Housing with a cabinet shuffle and the announced in-stream protection period extension for Metro Vancouver DCCs. In a memo sent…
DetailsVANCOUVER EXPLORING ADU STRATIFICATION
Last week, Vancouver City Councillors Sarah Kirby‑Yung and Mike Klassen introduced the Opening Doors: Expanding Ownership Options for Laneway and Backyard Homes Members’ Motion, directing City staff to explore options to allow the…
DetailsA STEP FORWARD BUT THE WORK ISN’T DONE …
Last week’s announcement by the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, proposing amendments to the Development Cost Charge (DCC) and Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) (Installments) Regulation, marks a…
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Bathroom Renovations: The Value of Working with Professionals
A bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but when it comes to impact, it ranks among the highest. Whether you’re starting your day or winding…
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Rest Easy: Award-Winning Primary Bedroom Suite Designs
Award-Winning Inspiration We spend a third of our lives sleeping—and many more hours dreaming, relaxing, or escaping into a good book. Today’s primary bedroom suites go far beyond a place…
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Built to Last: Award-Winning Character Home Renovations
There’s something special about a character home. Whether it’s original wood flooring, unique architectural details, or the cozy charm of a bygone era, these homes have stories to tell. But…
DetailsCANARY IN THE COAL MINE …
Industry Layoffs Underscore the Urgency for Action Building on last week’s Monday Briefing discussion about policy innovation and legislative reform in both BC and Ontario—focused on accelerating housing delivery—it’s becoming increasingly clear…
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Kitchen Renovations and Why It Deserves a Professional Touch
When it comes to home renovations, the kitchen holds a special place—it’s not just a room, but the heartbeat of your home. It’s where meals are made, kids do homework,…
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Outdoor Living Space Ideas: Transform Your Backyard into a Dream Destination
From morning coffees on the patio to evenings by the firepit, outdoor living spaces are no longer an afterthought—they’re an extension of your home and lifestyle. With growing interest in…
DetailsAsking the Questions and Looking at Answers …
In Saturday’s edition of the Government Relations Update (GRU), we included a link to a TVO Today discussion of Ontario’s leading housing professionals asking the question “Why Can’t Housing Developers…
DetailsDAP. A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION …
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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How an energy-efficiency reno helps breathe new life into old buildings
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…
DetailsGST REBATE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS A FIRST STEP …
In 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…
DetailsTHE NEW MINISTER OF HOUSING HAS A FAMILIAR FACE…
Prime 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…
DetailsFederal Election: What Does It Mean For Us?
First, 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?…
DetailsNOW IT’S TIME TO GET TO WORK…
Prime 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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