The Province is introducing new housing legislation to deliver more small-scale, multi-unit housing for people, including townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes, and fix outdated zoning rules to help build more homes faster.

The proposed legislation and forthcoming regulations will permit one secondary suite or one laneway home (accessory dwelling unit) in all communities throughout B.C.

In most areas within municipalities of more than 5,000 people, these changes will also require bylaws to allow for:

• three to four units permitted on lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use, depending on lot size;
• six units permitted on larger lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use and close to transit stops with frequent service.

Click HERE to read more…

The Federal Government has announced that the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) program will stop accepting new applicants in March 2024.

According to media releases, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has reported that the uptake of the program has exceeded forecasts, while the average grant amount per application is higher than expected. The good news is NRCan has also confirmed that program participants and those who apply before March 2024 will be protected.

NRCan has yet to update the Greener Homes website with the details of this announcement. Stay tuned, we will update you once the fine details are known.

In the short term we urge any homeowners who are thinking of registering for the grant program to sign up for the program as soon as possible, to avoid missing out.

Click HERE for eligibility requirements, and how to sign up.

Zero Carbon Step Code and Energy Step Code Implementation Pathways for Burnaby

• Beginning on January 1, 2024, the City of Burnaby is aiming to implement the Provincial Zero Carbon Step Code for new Part 9 residential buildings and new Part 3 buildings, to place limits on carbon pollution from new buildings in order to meet our climate emission targets.  A pathway to achieve higher steps of the Energy Step Code is also proposed.
• Learn more about the planned changes on the City webpage, HERE.

Questions or comments can be directed climateactionandenergy@burnaby.ca

For more information on, please check out the presentation slides HERE

Contact us now, and we’ll help you navigate the new code requirements.

A ZEBx utility data collection initiative to determine the real emissions and energy profiles of BC homes.

Although we have an abundance of energy consumption and emissions estimates for new high-performance homes (thanks to energy modelling), we do not have good information on actual energy consumption and emissions from these homes.

With co-funding from BC Hydro and the City of Vancouver, ZEBx has launched this data-collection initiative to answer these important questions. In addition to the utility data that we’re collecting for new high-performance homes, we also want to determine the real emissions reductions that can be achieved by gas-fired heat pumps.

To read more, Click HERE.

HAVAN AWARDS 2024 CALL FOR ENTRIES

ENTER NOW: havan.ca/awards

Entries deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024

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