Articles tagged with "Residential Building"

Residential electricity rates have increased by 6.6% compared to the previous year as gas prices rise. The price impact varied across different sectors, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This indicates an uneven distribution of price hikes in electricity across various consumer segments.

In the current era of widespread disinformation, the residential construction industry experiences a notable gap between perception and reality concerning the costs associated with housing. A survey by Liaison Strategies highlights misconceptions about how fees and taxes contribute to home prices. This disparity exemplifies the challenge of discerning true costs amid prevalent misinformation. The article seeks to demystify these costs to provide clearer understanding for stakeholders.

In August, housing starts in Canada's major markets rose 10% compared to the previous year, as reported by the CMHC. However, a monthly decline was observed with the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of housing starts for Canada falling 16% from July 2025. The slowdown aligns with forecasts, with Vancouver and Montreal showing significant yearly gains. Despite this, rural housing starts decreased 4% year-over-year.

California is set to move forward with SB 79, a bill that would allow for the construction of denser, multifamily housing near major train stations and rapid bus lines. The legislation aims to alleviate housing shortages by streamlining permissions for building in transit-rich areas. This aligns with California's broader strategy to improve public transport access while addressing housing needs. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to review and potentially approve this legislation soon.

The report from Cushman & Wakefield highlights that the average vacancy for commercial office space in Canada was 17.2% in the second quarter of 2025. This figure, although slightly better than the previous year, still surpasses pre-COVID levels, despite the increasing momentum of the return-to-office movement. The article explores the feasibility of converting these vacant offices into residential spaces as a potential solution.

In August, Canada's housing starts fell by 16% from the previous month, indicating a slowdown in construction activity, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Despite rises in some regions, overall trends show a decrease, particularly in key markets like Toronto and Vancouver. Factors contributing to this slowdown include rising construction costs and decreased builder confidence, notably in Ontario and British Columbia. Regions like Montreal and Calgary are seeing growth or are expected to experience high activity in 2025.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported a 16% decrease in the annual pace of housing starts in August compared to July. This decline indicates a slowdown in home building activity. The data highlights broader trends in the residential construction sector.

The Canadian government has launched Build Canada Homes, a federal agency focused on rapidly increasing the supply of affordable housing across the nation. The initiative aims to address homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing, leveraging public lands, and using modern construction methods like factory-built homes and mass timber. With an initial $13 billion investment, the agency will collaborate with provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities to build at scale, utilizing Canadian materials to support domestic industries. Key projects are set to launch in multiple cities, prioritizing innovative, sustainable construction and the preservation of existing affordable rental housing.

As Canada prepares to establish a new agency aimed at accelerating home construction, internal documents from the government highlight the severe housing crisis in the country. These briefing materials, specifically intended for the new Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, highlight how expensive housing is detrimentally impacting the economy. The documents underscore the urgency of addressing the housing situation to mitigate its economic repercussions.

In July, the total value of building permits in Canada slightly decreased by 0.1% to $11.9 billion, according to Statistics Canada. The decline was primarily due to a significant drop in the non-residential sector, which fell by 5.8%. However, this was nearly offset by a rise in the residential sector. Despite the overall decrease, the residential market showed positive growth.

The article discusses the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency in Canada focused on building affordable housing across the country. Headed by Ana Bailão, the agency aims to increase the housing supply by partnering with private developers, leveraging public lands, and offering financial incentives to build more homes sustainably and at scale. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an initial $13 billion capitalization for the agency, which aims to double housing construction and reduce homelessness. Emphasis will be placed on using modern, eco-friendly construction methods and materials.

The newly established Build Canada Homes agency plans to construct 4,000 housing units on six sites owned by the federal government. This initiative was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday. The agency's goal is to address housing needs by utilizing federal land for residential development.