Winnipeg Free Press
Sunday January 30 2005
GARTH STEEK - YOUR NEW HOME
FOR nearly 70 years, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association has been the voice of the province's residential construction industry. And, along with its stature as the oldest association of its kind in Canada, the MHBA takes great pride in its decades-long commitment to quality, service and integrity.
Today, the MHBA is a non-profit trade association whose mandate is to provide its members, the public and all levels of government with ongoing education and information about the housing industry.
But that mandate doesn't stop there. The association is also committed to promoting affordability and choice of housing for all Manitobans. As well, it ensures members are kept up to date on latest developments, building techniques and government regulations.
The association's commitment extends to workplace safety and health. Seminars are held frequently during the year to provide members with the information they need to maintain a healthy and stable business environment for builders and consumers alike.
For consumers, the association's activities are likely best recognized during the MHBA's hugely popular annual home and trade shows. The association hosts Spring and Fall Parades of Homes that highlight the best and most innovative creations of Manitoba's professional new home builders. Last fall, thousands of prospective buyers took advantage of the opportunity to view some or all of the 73 show homes opened to the public.
In addition to the annual Parade events, for the past 25 years the MHBA has welcomed spring by presenting the Home Expressions Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. More than 30,000 visitors take in the show every year. Every January, the association presents the Kitchen, Bath & Renovation Show, an event that has steadily grown in popularity, thanks to quality exhibitors and speakers.
But, in addition to all the member activities and trade shows, the MHBA recognizes that the purchase of a new home is not only an exciting acquisition, it is also likely the largest investment most people will ever make.
Accordingly, the new home purchaser should be able to buy with confidence. One of the most important aspects of membership in the MHBA is that a new home builder must adopt the association's Code of Ethics and belong to a national warranty program.
Today's warranty programs offer home purchasers a great deal of peace of mind through an unconditional warranty on the entire new home for one year, followed by five years of coverage for any structural defects.
The Manitoba Home Builders' Association has long been known for building exceptional homes at fair prices. For further information regarding the MHBA, visit its website at www.homebuilders.mb.ca or call 925-2560.
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The city's Executive Policy Committee has passed a Plan Winnipeg amendment that would allow Waverley West to be opened for residential development. Although new residential lots will not become available until the fall of 2006, Waverley West is a major initiative by our civic government and is to be applauded. The Manitoba economy is growing, as is Winnipeg's population, and there is strong demand for new housing.
Used housing prices have risen dramatically due to reduced supply and greater demand. This past year, more than 2,500 single and multiple family units were built in the City of Winnipeg, a number that contrasts dramatically with new housing starts during the 1990s that hovered around 1,000 units.
The MHBA is committed to building quality affordable housing and respects the desire of consumers to live in an area of their choice.
Both the City of Winnipeg and external consultants confirm that Waverley West will have an immense financial benefit to Winnipeg.
The MHBA continues to build in the inner city and is committed to increased housing in this area. However, the City of Winnipeg confirms there are at most 500 inner- city lots that could be used for new homes. Clearly the annual demand for 2,500 new units requires new development. Accordingly, Waverley West is needed as soon as possible.
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Members of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association are gearing up for two major spring events -- the ever-popular, annual Home Expressions Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre March 10-13 and the Parade of Homes, during which the province's professional new home builders will be creating a multi-million-dollar lineup of dream homes which will be open to the public March 12 to 26.
Garth Steek is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association. This column is one of a series by the MHBA as part of its public education program.