Highlight
2021 Conference Goes Virtual
Within the Fall Newsletter, members were advised on the upcoming 2021 MHABC Conference and the hopes of holding the event in-person in Penticton in late April. Program development and a preliminary agenda were well underway with presenters on stand-by awaiting modifications in in-person gathering restrictions. In early January, it became evident that provincial government restrictions related to COVID-19 and gathering size would not be easing and the expectation to have completed province-wide vaccinations by spring would not be attainable. During the January Board meeting, Directors reluctantly decided to forego an in-person Conference and plan for a virtual meeting. Members were apprised of this decision and asked to plan for a single day event to be held on Friday, April 30th.
At the time of writing, Members will have received an e-mail note with a pre-registration link and the preliminary Conference Program. While these programs are subject to on-going change as the Program comes together, the plan is to commence the Program at 8:30 am and conclude by 12:30 pm. The legally required Annual General Meeting will commence at 11 am and conclude within an hour and a half. Prior to the AGM, the current Program calls for an economic update by Credit 1 Credit Union’s Bryan Yu, Avid Rating’s Tim Bailey providing survey information on purchaser preference and concluding with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Jennifer McGuire update on the status of the province’s policy review on home placement on Agriculture Land Reserve lands.
The pre-registration link is intended to allow Member’s to advise of their participation in the Conference and Annual General Meeting. With this information, MHABC staff will circulate the Conference package within seven days of the event to those Members having pre-registered. While all Members are encouraged to participate in the Conference, attendance at the Annual General is of the utmost importance to ensure the Board receives the required direction and approvals to move forward on many fronts including budgets and rates.
Time moves quickly and April 30th will be here soon. Please register now.
2020/2021 BOARD of DIRECTORS
Meet Our Board
Frank Ambler - President
Countryside Manufactured Homes Ltd.
Mark Ellis - Vice-President
Eagle Homes
Matthew Salmon - Treasurer
Triple M Housing Ltd.
Gord Rattray - Executive Director
MHABC
Jen Barter - Contract Administrator
MHABC
Shawn Donohoe - Director
Shamrock Manufactured Home Services
Walter Fontinha - Director
Moduline Industries Canada Penticton
Ken Jennings - Director
Blackstone Homes
Michael Newton - Director
Lakeridge Homes Inc.
Amanda Hammer - Director
Hammer Ventures Ltd.
Ray Weicker - Director
Ray’s Towing Ltd.
Dean Johnstone - Director
SRI Homes Kelowna
Board Matters
Winter 2020-21 Board Meeting Schedule
During the winter, the Board held calls on January 12th and February 23rd in keeping with the six-week meeting schedule.
The next meeting will be held by video call on Tuesday, March 30th.
Home shipments on track at end of fiscal 2020-21
Home shipments for the 4th quarter, ending February 28th, were above plan at 197 homes or an average of 66.7 homes where the budget called for 180 homes.
Overall, for fiscal 2020-21, the total homes shipped was 714 homes when the budget forecast a total of 720 homes.
The Revenue-Expenses Report for the fiscal 2020-21 exhibits a surplus of $ 34,700 where the budget called for a deficit of $ (2,100). The surplus primarily results from the cancellation of the 2020 Conference as well as significant savings in Director travel costs and legal expenses.
The rates for fiscal 2021-22 come into effect on March 1st. The new rate information has been circulated to all Members with notification of a fees reduction.
MHABC Group Health Benefits
Please keep the MHABC’s Group Health Benefits Program in mind. Information is available by contacting the office.
Secondary Homes Policy Review
The MHABC continues to engage with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agriculture Land Commission on policy related to the placement of secondary homes on Agriculture Land Reserve properties. The responsibility for oversight of the policy review has evolved from former Assistant Deputy Minister James Mack to incoming ADM Jennifer McGuire.
In a recent conference call with Ms. McGuire, the MHABC was advised the Ministry of Agriculture is continuing to give priority to finalizing a revised policy. While Ms. McGuire was limited in her ability to provide detailed information on the review, she expressed an understanding of the priority that MHABC Members give to this matter. The current grandfathering provisions expire on July 31,2021 and it is imperative our Members are advised as soon as possible on any new policy amendments.
The Ministry of Agriculture will provide updates as soon as possible and no later than April 30th when the Ministry will be presenting during the MHABC’s Conference.
Marketing Program Update
The MHABC’s Marketing Committee continues to provide guidance to the MHABC’s marketing firm, FRESH INC. Recent priorities include development of new webinars and podcasts towards providing education for Members and the general public. A recent update by FRESH INC’s Jennifer McKinney indicates MHABC.com continues to be valuable resource for informing the general public on our products.
Nominations Committee Report to be Distributed
With the recent strategy introduced in 2019 towards incoming Board composition with a greater role of the Board, current Nominations Committee co-chairs Mark Ellis and Matthew Salmon have substantially completed an updated Nominations Committee Report. At the time of writing, the report requires final review and approval for distribution by the Board of Directors.
The result of the work by Mark and Matthew has resulted in a strong slate of Directors and an ample list of additional Directors who have agreed to serve on the Board in upcoming years. Members are reminded the Nominations Committee Report is a recommended slate of Directors for the upcoming year. The option always exists for Members to Nominate additional Directors from the floor during the AGM. An election then takes place to determine the final Board composition.
Welcome New Member
Welcome to new Member Cariboo Country Estates Manufactured Home Sales who will be carrying out business in Lac La Hache.
Transportation Update
Transportation Directors Ray Weicker and Amanda Hammer have worked closely with both the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure over the last months. Key topics have included 5-meter-wide routes, travel time window flexibility as well as placement of no-post rails.
On the establishment of additional 5-meter-wide routes, CVSE is prepared to sanction a test-run on Highway 3A (Kaleden Weigh Scale to Keremos). A challenge resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is that travel restrictions have been placed on CVSE and MTI engineers who are required to oversee these test runs. MHABC Members are encouraged to apply for permits over this route however formal adoption as an approved 5-meter-wide route remains pending having an engineer able to participate in a test.
On location of no-post rails, Director Weicker and Director Hammer have communicated with the local MTI District Manager of an improper replacement of no-post rails following paving on a section of Hwy #3. Discussions have also been held with the BC Trucking Association on making the continuing placement of no-post rails on many sections of BC highways impacting commercial transport of wide loads.
Proud Supporters of the Ronald McDonald House Charity
The MHABC is a contributor to the Ronald McDonald House Charity – BC and the Yukon. Contributions are made quarterly based upon the number of homes shipped during the prior quarter. Ronald McDonald House serves the children (and families) of BC and the Yukon requiring treatment at Childrens Hospital.
Whats New?
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation Webinars on Factory-Built Housing
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation has recently organized webinars to inform a large group of banking and real estate officials on CMHC opportunities for finance of manufactured and modular homes. During February, two webinars were held involving well over 300 participants. MHABC Executive Director Gord Rattray was asked to present technical information during these webinars.
A session with VanCity Credit Union officials is scheduled to discuss the updating of that organization’s factory-built housing policy as a result of participation in the CMHC webinars.
Changes Upcoming in BC Housing staff
In a recent MHABC conference call with BC Housing officials, BC Housing Registrar Wendy Acheson advised she will be leaving BC Housing to take on a senior role within a similar government organization in Ontario. Deputy Registrar Michelle Hayes will assume the Registrar’s position. The MHABC has worked closely with Ms. Acheson in the past on warranty and training matters. Congratulations are extended to both Wendy and Michelle on their new positions.
Canadian Standards Association Cancels Vancouver Conference
Although the world continues to make significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, it appears that a return to normal life will not likely begin in earnest until late summer or early fall, particularly here in Canada. Despite CSA’s hopes, it has become clear that the organizations will not be able to hold the 2021 Annual Conference & Committee Week, planned for June 14-18 in Vancouver. The CSA fully expects the 2022 Annual Conference & Committee Week will be held as planned, June 13-17 in Ottawa, Ontario. Where CSA celebrated its centennial in 2019, the organization will gather in 2022 to celebrate the end of this very difficult time and look forward to a happier, healthier future.
Canadas Housing Market showing early signs of overheating Bank of Canada warns (article courtesy of CHBA BC)
Reflecting what we've already been hearing from stakeholders and the provincial government, the housing market is heating up due to a combination of demand for more space as millions of workers do their jobs remotely. Constrained housing supply and rock-bottom interest rates driven low by central bank actions have also had a significant impact. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank is seeing early signs that people may be purchasing homes solely because they believe prices may go up. In specific, the Governor noted, “We are acutely aware that in a world of very low interest rates, there is a risk that housing prices could get stretched, households could get stretched, and certainly that’s a risk we want to guard against,” however, there is still a need for considerable monetary policy support to generate a complete recovery.
Report
Statistics
Shipments and Certification Type Year to Date Report ending Ending February 28, 2021
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