Canadian Funding Corp. Reviews CMHC Statistics

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Government of Canada announced today that 36 housing co-operatives and non-profit organizations located in the greater Outaouais region will receive more than $1.8 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Minister Cannon. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like these ones, will not only improve the quality of life of the residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs.”

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects that they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing that it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives and non-profit organizations that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are listed in the attached backgrounder.

“The financial contributions provided under the federal renovation and retrofit initiative administered by CMHC will benefit the residents of Shawville Apartments inc.,” said Dr. Earl Potvin, Chair of the Board of Directors, Shawville Apartments Inc. “In fact, these funds will serve to replace the windows to ensure our quality of life. We are very pleased to have received this funding, which will help improve the comfort and safety of our residents.”

Housing starts: After a slow start in 2009, housing starts will become stronger by the end of 2009 and average 141,900 units. In 2010, starts will increase to approximately 164,900 units.  The strong pace of resales reflects, in part, activity that was delayed in the previous two quarters of 2009 and is likely not to be sustained. MLS® resales will be about 441,300 units for 2009, up from 433,990 units in 2008.

According to data released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association, the number of homes sold in Canada in May, on a seasonally adjusted basis, was up for a fourth consecutive month. Moreover, it was 1.3% higher than in last September, that is, the pre-recession level. Today’s Hot Chart (left panel) shows that the turnaround in sales has been accompanied by a drop in new listings. As a result, the ratio of new listings to sales was the lowest in seventeen
months and well within the range where the market is considered balanced. This development reduces the risk of persisting home price deflation and of a corresponding deterioration in household balance sheet. On a regional basis, we note that sales in BC and Quebec more than recovered the ground lost since September. Even Ontario has
shown a significant pick-up in activity in recent months (see right panel).

NBF Financial Group…

http://www.news-to-use.com/2009/06/canada-existing-home-sales-back-to-pre.html

This report brought by Moishe Alexander, CFC CEO