SEASONAL DECOR
Cycle tracks are back on agenda
Tips on bringing the outdoors inside DONNA BALZER A6
How the pilot project is helping transform the city
Cliff Stevenson
2016 CREB® President
A2
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FUTURE OF HOUSING Stakeholders say Alberta can’t be overlooked when creating national strategy
Key points of the national housing strategy background document:
BARB LIVINGSTONE
• HOUSING PRICES THAT, OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS, GREW THREE TIMES AS FAST AS INCOMES
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s the federal government moves closer toward a national strategy on housing, key Alberta stakeholder groups say recognition of different local and regional challenges is critical to any policy changes. “We are encouraged the federal government is doing this, but we are hoping its actions will be localized,” said Kevin McNichol, vice-president of strategy for the Calgary Homeless Foundation, leader of the city’s plan to end homelessness. “In Calgary, we have the highest median income in the country, so it might be easy to overlook us. But we also have the lowest rate of affordable housing in Canada.” He added the federal strategy, “can’t be ‘one-size-fits-all.’” Over the course of four months this year, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) collected Canadians’ input on a housing strategy that resulted in a just-released 66-page What We Heard: Shaping Canada’s National Housing Strategy. It details Canadians’ priorities of increasing supply, and reducing costs, of affordable housing, as well as improving living conditions for the most vulnerable, including the homeless, seniors, newcomers and Indigenous Canadians. Consultations included social advocates, academics, planners, private housing providers and more than 7,000 individual Canadians – through online surveys and social media — in all age groups. Part of the consultation processed
• 12.5 PER CENT OF CANADIANS WHO IN 2011 NEEDED CORE HOUSING • MORE THAN 150,000 PEOPLE STAYING ANNUALLY IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS • THREE-QUARTERS OF CANADA’S RENTAL BUILDINGS THAT ARE 30-PLUS YEARS OLD
PHOTO BY ADRIAN SHELLARD/FOR CREB®NOW
Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Alberta CEO Donna Moore said one of the organization’s top concerns when it comes to the development of a national housing strategy is to address affordability for first-time buyers.
included nine stakeholder events in seven Alberta communities. “The strategy is meant to look at everything from homelessness, all the way to home ownership, across the continuum, “said Michel Tremblay, senior vice-president policy, research, public affairs for CMHC. The strategy background document points to: • Housing prices that, over the last 15 years, grew three times as
fast as incomes; • 12.5 per cent of Canadians who in 2011 needed core housing; • More than 150,000 people staying annually in emergency shelters, and; • The three-quarters of Canada’s rental buildings that are 30-plus years old. Recommendations include federal spending that incent property owners to provide subsidized housing, sup-
5681 6084 6242 6148 6004 5685 5656 5877 5427
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* OCT ‘14 – OCT ‘16
porting young families in first home purchases, rent caps, low-cost financing and investment for social housing and rehabilitation of declining rental properties. Tremblay said CMHC will continue stakeholder discussions, and then submit a proposed policy paper to the minister of Housing. The Liberal government plans to release its strategy in early 2017. Some Canadian Home Builders’
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HOUSING A3
NEWS BRIEFS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 MUNICIPAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Affordable Housing
MUNICIPAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Accessible University
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algary’s apartment vacancy rate increased to seven per cent in October, the highest levels recorded in more than 25 years, reported Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC). The number is up from 5.3 per cent in October 2015, and represents the third consecutive year where the vacancy rate has increased, said the national housing agency in its fall rental market summary.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
Association-Alberta officials are also concerned each region’s needs be addressed. The national organization was a consulted stakeholder. “Our top concern is the rising cost of housing and especially the struggle many young Albertans face when trying to buy their first home,” said CHBA-Alberta CEO Donna Moore.
CONTENTS
CALGARY RENTAL VACANCY RATE RISES HIGHER CREB® STAFF
3384
4058
4336
5022
5533 5706 5641 5394 5141 5137 5215 5600 5623 5327
4796
CITY OF CALGARY 4643
SOURCE: CMHC
RENTAL A3
CHRISTMAS GIVING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B14
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$499,000 |
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GREAT HOME IN WHICH TO RAISE A FAMILY OR TO RETIRE!
SATURDAY, 1-5 PM | 67 MANYHORSES DR - REDWOOD MEADOWS
Lee Edwards 403.540.0540
MLS®C4068487
Set on a treed lot in Redwood Meadows, this community offers an active community centre, sports fields, a golf course, and a network of hiking paths next to the scenic Elbow River. A huge composite rear deck offers a place to enjoy the serenity or smell the fresh air. An open living/dining area invites you into the home and leads to the kitchen which features oak cabinets, a centre island, and a garden window over the sink. Half a level down is the spacious family room with patio door access to ground level. There is also a rec/hobby area, office, bedroom, and full bath on the lower levels. The upper level is occupied by the bright master and 2 other bedrooms, all of which share a huge bath with a double vanity, separate shower, jetted tub, and direct access from the master bedroom. This home allows a lot of living for its size.
CANYON CREEK
braggcreekrealestate.com lee@braggcreekrealestate.com