Tags: Corporation

11 Mar 2010, Comments Off

Social Housing in Halifax Under Renovation

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Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), today announced mortgage loan insurance policies to facilitate the financing of student housing in Canada.

“Our government is dedicated to meeting the increased demand for student housing across the country” said Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West. “We’re helping developers and borrowers access competitive interest rates for the life of the mortgage, benefit from greater financing choices and lower renewal risk. Our government is supporting students and creating jobs in university and college communities across the country.”

The Government of Canada will help finance loans of up to 85 per cent of the lending value for the construction, purchase or refinancing of housing purposely built for students on or off campus through CMHC’s Mortgage Loan Insurance for multi-unit student housing. This initiative supports the housing needs of Canadian publicly funded educational institutions, including universities and colleges.

The demand for student housing is anticipated to continue to increase for an extended period as a result of changing demographics, forecasted enrolment figures and continued growth in international students.

“Today’s announcement is good news and will help developers in Canada respond to the housing needs of students,” said Ray Stanton, President of London Property Corporation.

The Government of Canada has taken additional measures to help Canadian families. As of August 1, 2009, new federal student financial assistance measures — the Canada Student Grants Program and the Repayment Assistance Plan — are helping students and families access postsecondary education and better manage their student loan debt. To find out more about how the Government of Canada is helping students achieve their educational goals, visit CanLearn.ca.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

The Canadian Funding Corporation reviews a report from the CMHC regarding the design of an office complex located in Vancouver.

This mixed-use retail, office and residential complex in Kitsilano mixes retail and residential aspects with the historic streetscape of this urban village. This integration reduces the need for travel by car. Built on the site of a former car dealership, the complex was designed to make a positive contribution to a healthy and sustainable neighbourhood. It is now used as a planning model by the city of Vancouver. The development was readily accepted by the neighbourhood, thanks to an exemplary public consultation process.

Highlights

A closed-loop, ground-source heat pump heats and cools the commercial levels and two penthouses, as well as the domestic hot water for the other condominiums. The 80 wells, 250 feet deep, were drilled in record time using oil-drilling crews. This reliable, energy-efficient system needs no backup. Energy-efficient metered-gas fireplaces heat the condominiums. Electric baseboards heat bedrooms: bathrooms are heated by low-voltage radiant heating in the floors. The brick-and-stucco rainscreen wall with steel-stud backup provides good thermal, acoustic and moisture performance. The wall’s air barrier reduces air leakage and moisture penetration. Glass block around courtyards and endwalls lets daylight into the corridors. This promotes a less energy-dependent environment. Low-energy electric fixtures are also used. Residential and office windows are thermally-broken, aluminum double-glazed units. On south-facing windows overlooking a busy street, triple glazing reduces noise. Form work was reused horizontally for the concrete frame. Recycled materials include carpets made from recycled pop bottles.

Other vital information:

Building type: five-storey mixed-use retail, residential, and office
Location: 2211 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Status: completed in 1993
Construction cost: $15 M or $1154/m2
Owner: Harold Kalke, Salt Licks Ltd. Kalico Development
Gross floor area: 13,000 m2
Typical population: 78 residential units total: one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio units, with two larger penthouse units.
Automobile parking: 274 underground spaces.
Landscaping: Hardy plants needing little water or sun decorate the terraces and small courtyards overlooking the busy street.