Building Homes, Building Communities, Building the Province

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Building Homes, Building Communities, Building
the Province
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Our Mission
  The Canadian Home Builders Association
Saskatchewan has been the voice of the
residential construction industry in the province
for nearly sixty years.
We promote affordability and choice in housing
for all Canadians and we believe home ownership
and quality housing is the most effective and
sound social policy for Canada. We work with
many partners in business, communities and
government towards the long term health and
sustainability of the residential construction
industry. We build quality housing and
communities throughout the province, enhancing
the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of
people in Saskatchewan.
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Our Vision
  The Canadian Home Builders Association
Saskatchewan believes in 
A positive image for the residential
construction industry, an industry that is
recognized and respected wherein we are the
employer of choice.   Quality careers and a high
quality of life for all those employed in our
industry.   A career-based industry that is
stable and rewarding.   Industry wide
certification, adherence to safety and a
commitment to quality and consumer
protection.   Leadership in environmental
responsibility and the long-term health and
sustainability of the residential construction
industry.
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Policy Statement on Housing Affordability
There are six policy issues that the Association
has identified as central to maintaining
sustainable growth and fostering community
building in our province

• Protecting Saskatchewan Homeowners Legislate
  Mandatory New Home Warranty Protection for all
  homes built in the province.
• Enhancing Housing Affordability Pressing the
  Federal Government to index the GST New Housing
  Rebate thresholds.
• Supporting Growth in Communities Senior
  Governments must Invest in Municipal
  Infrastructure
• Encouraging Housing Affordability Reassess
  Government Regulations and Implement Housing
  Affordability Programs
• Addressing the Skilled Labour Shortage Increase
  Education and Labour Force Development
• Improving Investment Attraction Reform Tax
  Policies that Impede Business Attraction and
  Growth

Building Homes, Building Communities, Building
the Province
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Population

• The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce growth plan
  set a population target of 1.5 million people by
  2030.

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Growing Communities, Growing the Province
In order to reach a population of 1.5 million in
Saskatchewan, our province will have to

• Increase the labour force supply through
  recruitment and retention.
• Promote the trades as a viable career option for
  youth.
• Provide increased training and education
  opportunities.
• Encourage governments to support appropriate and
  affordable housing projects.
• Reassess levies, fees, transaction costs and
  government regulations and red tape that tend to
  hamper business growth.

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Growth is Critical
An increase in housing supply is necessary to
support investment attraction, the economy and
population growth.
Population data shows that Saskatchewan led the
provinces in economic growth for the second
quarter in a row.

• As of January 1, 2008 Saskatchewans population
  reached 1,012,547.
• This amounts to 16,000 more people than the
  previous year.
• Consequently, Saskatchewans housing starts
  will need to increase to meet the growing demands
  in the marketplace.
• For Example
• Based on 2 persons per unit (PPU) Saskatchewan
  would need to build 8,000 more homes for the
  16,000 new residents alone as stated earlier, we
  built only 6,007 units in 2007.

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Building Saskatchewan

• Promoting trades and career paths in our
  province ensures that families will have a reason
  to stay and build their careers, homes, and
  futures in our great province of Saskatchewan
  and will allow our province to reach the
  population target of 1.5 million by 2030.

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Wally Mah, President
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Economic Prosperity
Recent economic prosperity in the housing market,
felt all around the country, has compounded the
issues surrounding affordability.
Prices continue to escalate on all products and
services while builders feel incredible
pressures, which make it difficult at times to
participate in providing affordable housing.
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Building Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is experiencing a growing demand for
many types of housing, especially appropriate and
affordable housing for low income singles and
families, first time buyers and seniors on fixed
incomes.
Many are unable to achieve the dream of
homeownership or access appropriate rental
housing as a result of the lack of programs to
support the unique housing needs experienced in
different regions throughout the province.
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Affordable Housing Projects
Government sponsored affordable housing projects
continue to experience significant delays.
Numerous policies and regulations have created a
gridlock that results in lost opportunities for
people seeking affordable homeownership
opportunities. The time spent navigating
these systems adds significant time delays, and
hence costs for housing.
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Governments and Housing
All levels of government have implemented
different policies and authorities with the ideal
of protecting consumers, ensuring regulations in
the marketplace.
This has effectively caused a gridlock in the
system as both builders and consumers try to
navigate programs and systems in order to seek
out benefits and access to affordable home
ownership opportunities.
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Government and Housing
The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation might be
retooled for the 21st Century.
The Corporation could act as a one-stop shop
for builders, developers and the general public.
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Lot Prices
Lot prices and development charges in the larger
centers of Saskatoon and Regina are making
bedroom communities more attractive for people
feeling rising cost pressures.
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Infrastructure Development
Access to an adequate supply of quality potable
water and environmentally sensitive waste water
and sewage treatment systems are essential for
development both inside and outside of the major
urban centers.
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Growing Saskatchewan
Rural municipalities, smaller cities and towns
have great potential to grow, bringing increased
infrastructure, labour force development,
immigration, and investment, all of which will
help us realize Saskatchewans full growth
potential.
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Lets Grow Saskatchewan Together
Building Homes, Building Communities, Building
the Province