Latest news with #affordablehousing
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PHIL BRICKELL: 'Spending review will bring real improvements to our area'
As the MP for Bolton West, I'm pleased that the government's 2025 Spending Review will bring real improvements for our area. Its plans will deliver the growth we need to make everyday life better for families and businesses across Blackrod, Bolton, Horwich and Westhoughton. First, with more money for the NHS and our schools. The Chancellor has increased NHS funding by three per cent and committed to the biggest ever investment in NHS building repairs. Having already made significant progress in reducing NHS waiting times, this further investment will help even more in ensuring we all get the swift, good quality care we deserve. Education also sees a major boost, with an extra £2billion in funding. Here in Bolton West, Devonshire Road Primary School has already received support to run a breakfast club, helping children start their day well-fed and ready to learn. And, from 2026, more children will also get free school meals, giving extra help to many local families struggling with the weekly cost of living. Second, with landmark support for more genuinely affordable and warmer houses. The government is investing a blockbuster £39 billion to build 1.5 million new homes across the country, allowing my constituents the opportunity to fulfil their ambition for a secure roof over their heads at a genuinely affordable price. And, after 14 years of neglect by the last government, Greater Manchester will get £73.6 million to improve social housing, making homes more energy-efficient, cutting heating bills and helping the environment. Third, with investment in better transport infrastructure. Good transport links are vital for work, school, and leisure. Greater Manchester will receive an additional £2.5 billion to improve public transport, including bringing rail under the Bee Network and adding 1,000 new electric buses by 2030. Far too much time is currently lost stuck in traffic or waiting on platforms for delayed trains – a frustration I myself feel only too keenly on the way to my office in Horwich. Delays not only impact our collective wellbeing, they also hold us back in terms of our economic productivity. The spending review gets us back on track. Fourth, by ensuring we're stronger both at home and abroad. The Chancellor pledged funding to end the use of hotels as accommodation for those seeking asylum, which spiralled out of control under the Conservatives. Securing our borders and creating a fairer immigration system are key initiatives and I'll continue to work to deliver this. And, as well as securing our borders at home, the further investment in our armed forces will support well-paid, new jobs including at the MBDA site at Logistics North. Finally, by boosting jobs through new trade deals. The government has also secured important new trade deals with India, the United States, and the European Union. These deals cut costs and help industries across the North West, such as car manufacturing and steel production, as well as local firms involved in their supply chains. They'll also secure lower prices for consumers, relying on goods coming from those countries – a win-win for British workers and customers. The 2025 Spending Review is good news and it sets the course for a brighter future. Upon my election, I promised the people of Bolton West that I would deliver a stronger NHS, tackle the cost of living and secure our borders. I'm confident this spending review ensures the government will deliver on those promises. And, as your MP, I'll keep working hard to make sure these benefits reach everyone across our towns.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago company manufactures new homes, makes home ownership more affordable
Affordable housing is a topic about which politicians talk a lot, but now, a Chicago architect is actually putting hammer to nail to make home ownership possible for more people. Tim Swanson, founder of Inherent Homes, has found a way to keep costs down for both his company and families. An excited Dominque Ward recently documented a moving day like no other into her new residence. The first-time homebuyer's house was assembled right before her eyes in just hours. "Once you put it down on the foundation, like everything's in it," Ward said. "All the appliances came with it." The mom of two has joined a growing group of first-time homebuyers able to purchase new construction in Chicago. Such a thing does not come cheap anywhere in the city. "I never wanted to leave the West Side," Ward said. "I knew property was getting really expensive over here." New homes near Ward's West Side neighborhood could cost half a million or more. Ward paid closer to $275,000. "For people like myself — single parent just trying to raise your kid and survive the world — it's a great opportunity," Ward said. It was an opportunity that opened up thanks to Inherent Homes. The Chicago-based company's mission is to make home ownership less of a sky-high goal by lowering the cost of building. The first step is finding cheap land. Inherent Homes are planted on vacant city lots, and purchased for as little as $1. "Finding ways to keep our costs down can meet more families where they're at," Swanson said as CBS News Chicago visited him at the Inherent Homes warehouse in Lawndale. He said keeping the process of manufacturing the homes indoors removes weather delays from the equation. "We have six homes here that are not getting wet, which means they're not drying, which means we're not wasting a week to get back into the home," said Swanson, "so that's an important part of it." He said they can go from raw material to framed interior ready for a rough inspection in two and a half to three weeks. Add another month and change tiling, paint, and other homey finishes. "So, from there to there is eight weeks total," Swanson said, "and we joke all the time, we wish it were faster." Trimming the time cuts labor costs and keeps interest at bay. Swanson said buying materials in bulk helps the budget too. When the homes are ready, they're squeezed out the door of the manufacturing facility. "It costs us just about $350,000, $370,000 to build a home, and then we sell them, unsubsidized, for $395,000," Swanson said. Purchase price on paper is usually lower thanks to various financial incentives. One example is the city's Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes Program, which doles out forgivable loans to homebuyers that transform trash-collecting lots and bring them back on Chicago's tax roll. Inherent Homes intentionally picks vacant land so customers can qualify. Because Ward's lot used to be a weedy empty space, she was able to save $100,000 off her mortgage. "Once I found out about these types of programs is when is when I went ahead and pulled the trigger," said Ward. "I was able to show my girls that anything is possible. It's an amazing feeling." CBS News Chicago asked Swanson why more people and companies aren't doing what Inherent Homes is. "It takes a level of insanity to work through the machinations," he said. Swanson said he would happily share his secret sauce with other builders to create more moments like the one Ward celebrated as she saw her finished new home.
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Public meeting held to discuss plans for Fairmont Public School lands
Former Fairmont lands under redevelopment, with plans for affordable housing units. CTV London's Lauren Stallone reports.
CTV News
7 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Major redevelopment planned for former NFB head office in Montreal
A site once home to Canada's most iconic documentaries and animated films is set for a dramatic transformation. A site once home to Canada's most iconic documentaries and animated films is set for a dramatic transformation. Canada Lands Company (CLC), the federal Crown corporation that acquired the former National Film Board (NFB) headquarters on Côte-de-Liesse Boulevard, unveiled its master plan for a complete redevelopment of the roughly five-hectare property in the Saint-Laurent borough. The vision is a new urban neighbourhood blending housing, green space, culture, and commerce while preserving the site's cinematic legacy. 'We want to keep the DNA of what the NFB is and what people love about it,' said Christopher Sweetnam-Holmes, senior director of real estate at Canada Lands Company. 'This project is about respecting that legacy, while meeting the community's needs today — for housing, for parks, and for local services.' The site, which spans nearly 49,000 square metres (roughly the size of six football fields) is set to be redeveloped over the next several years. The latest version of the plan was presented to the public at an open house Thursday. The proposed mixed-use neighbourhood includes 700 residential units, half of which are expected to be below-market or affordable housing. CLC's Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern said it's a direct response to one of the most common themes to emerge from community consultations. 'We had several open houses — about 600 people came through — and the need for affordable housing came up again and again,' said the company's vice-president of corporate communications and public affairs. Developers said the goal is to create an inclusive, accessible living environment with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the existing community, especially for vulnerable residents. 'There are a lot of people in this neighbourhood who are immigrants and who currently live in unsatisfactory housing,' said Sweetnam-Holmes. 'We want to build something that responds to that — that integrates people instead of pushing them out.' To help achieve that goal, the self-funded federal agency said it's working with community groups and non-profit housing developers as planning moves forward. In addition to housing, about 35 per cent of the site will be reserved for commercial and office use. The plan includes local shops and workspaces aimed at supporting innovation and small business growth. Cultural preservation is another core element, which is why the company plans on preserving 80 per cent of the site's existing buildings — a decision that helps reduce the project's carbon footprint, while also honouring the NFB's long history in the space. 'Some of the spaces, including one of the theatres, will remain as-is, so people can still screen films there,' said Sweetnam-Holmes. 'It's important to maintain that connection to what this site meant for Montreal and for Canadian film.' The future neighbourhood will also feature significant green space. More than 8,860 square metres — between 18 to 20 per cent of the total site — is slated to become public parks and landscaped areas. Right now, much of the property is paved over or dominated by grey infrastructure. But project leaders said their goal is to build something sustainable and inviting. If the plans are approved by the City of Montreal, construction could begin as early as 2026. Full completion is expected within six to seven years. For Canada Lands Company, the project represents a rare opportunity to reshape a major urban site with both history and potential. 'We're trying to create a place that tells a new story,' said Gomez-Wiuckstern. 'But one that still remembers where it came from and celebrates its history.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS OPEN FOR SENIORS IN SASKATOON THROUGH FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL FUNDING
SASKATOON, SK, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to address the urgent needs of Canadians. To provide seniors with increased access to affordable and sustainable housing, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan announced today a $990,000 joint investment. The official opening of the Columbian Manor Expansion Phase V, developed by KC Charities, marks a significant step in providing safe, supportive homes for low-income seniors. This project is adding 134 housing units for seniors in Saskatoon, including the development of 30 one-bedroom units, 20 fully accessible units and 10 barrier-free units for low-income seniors with limited mobility. The developer, KC Charities, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors in Saskatoon. Funding provided for this project is as follows: $990,000 in cost-matched funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy (NHS) – Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative (SPI) $ 340,000 from the City of Saskatoon $1,750,000 from KC Charities Quotes: "Everyone deserves a home to call their own. Thanks to our partnership with Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy, your federal government is helping to make that a reality for more seniors in Saskatoon. Safe, affordable, and accessible senior housing is a key part of our housing plan, making sure no one is left behind." – The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) and Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River "When we work together with community partners, we can support developments that make a real difference in the lives of Saskatchewan people. The Columbian Manor project provides dignity, comfort, and connection to seniors who have given so much to our communities." – The Honourable Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) "The City of Saskatoon is proud to support the expansion of Columbian Manor, which reflects our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and caring community. This partnership with KC Charities and other orders of government helps ensure that seniors in Saskatoon have access to safe, affordable housing and the support they need to thrive." - Mayor Cynthia Block, Mayor City of Saskatoon "A place to call home, where comfort meets affordability, and every senior is valued, respected, and cared for." - Norma Denis, Executive Director of Operations, KC Charities Inc Quick facts: The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed. As of March 2025, the federal government has committed $65.84 billion to support the creation of over 166,000 units and the repair of over 322,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence. NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need. All NHS investments delivered by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments will respect the key principles of NHS that support partnerships, people, and communities In 2019, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan entered into an agreement through the National Housing Strategy. The Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement will invest $585 million over 10 years, which is cost matched between the federal and provincial governments. The Rental Development Program (RDP) provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to assist in the development of affordable rental housing units for households with low incomes. The RDP is funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). KC Charities is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors in Saskatoon. Since 2007, it has worked with government and community partners to develop over 150 affordable housing units, helping seniors live independently in a caring and inclusive environment Associated Links: Visit for the most requested Government of Canada housing information. CMHC plays a critical role as a national facilitator to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. Our mortgage insurance products support access to homeownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. We also actively support the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable. Our research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, we contribute to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed so far. In November 2019, the Government of Saskatchewan released Saskatchewan's Growth Plan: the Next Decade of Growth 2020-2030, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.4 million people by 2030. The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. To learn more, visit SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
