Discussions

Interesting information today from Canadian mortgage and Housing that the residential rental vacancy rate gas dropped from a all time low of 2.7% in 2014 to 1.1%.  
 
Would be interesting to get peoples take on why it is so low as there has been a ton of new rental buildings developed in the last couple of years.  
 
On a similar topic who do people think should be responsible for affordable housing ?

I don't believe the taxpayers should be on the hook for low income housing. They have purchased their own home and are working to keep it up. Why should they through taxes help to build houses/rentals for those that can't afford their own home?

There's been a ton of new rental housing? Maybe a couple, but most multi-family builds have been condos, by and large.  
 
With housing as high as it is, people are forced to rent because they cannot afford to buy. Plain and simple.

someguy said "I don't believe the taxpayers should be on the hook for low income housing. They have purchased their own home and are working to keep it up. Why should they through taxes help to build houses/rentals for those that can't afford their own home? "

with your statement. Lots of us are struggling to stay in our own homes, paying taxes up the wazoo. We didn't purchase brand new. The only way I'm going to get brand new is if I win the lottery, lol!

took me years and years to save up enough to purchase my own home. I think the market will dictate the price of homes and will be dictated by what people can afford. Those that think they cannot afford housing are most probably living above their means.  
 
I watch Until Debt Do Us Part and Gails famous words are its not how much you make,....its how much you spend.

A lot of the old standbys have been converted to condos or back to single family houses.  
 
Couple that with currrent population growth and...baboom! Tight city.  
 

Apartments/rentals I have not seen lots built. Like other said tons of condos are going up daily. Realistically many of these condos I have seen in the 175-250 thousand range. Honestly that is affordable housing. Honestly all these able bodied people wanting affordable housing they should be working somehow with a builder to build a condo with the option to purchase. I don't understand why people cannot work off the down payment (like a Habitat house) on a condo complex and have the ability to purchase. What was the last BEEP house, 150 grand. Really what is another 25-50 grand for a purchase? Even though people may not be skilled in trades there is a lot of labor help that can be done.  
 
There is all this talk of tiny houses.....why doesn't the city make a mini housing complex. Wait...the city did have affordable housing and nobody wanted it. Sunridge Homes had a development behind Lyons transmission. They are large lots you purchased and moved a modular home onto. It took too many years to sell the lots so they gave up and sold off the rest to put houses on. This city cries and complains that we never have this and that.....we get it and nobody supports it. A 1200sqft home on your own lot for under 120 grand. How is that not affordable housing....yet nobody was buying! If people want cheaper than that they need to start looking way outside the city and lower their expectations just a little.

Wow...loved the word honestly....I need a beer. Long day at work...lol. Under 150 grand there are currently 53 listings on the mls. Who is needing affordable homes?

You all seem to be forgetting that when they say "affordable housing", what they really mean is "a house so cheap a single person making minimum wage should be able to buy it."  
 
Houses are like children. People think its their right to have one, regardless of their income.

I agree with some people above that said our taxes should not pay for somebody else's house or rent. some of them try not to get higher paying job simply because they might loose the home that came from other people taxes. sometimes I think that whoever does less gets more. There are so much intensive for low income families that they always want to be low income, why not? They get child tax benefits, GST refund, housing, subsidy in day care, even their kids can go to do sports that I might think it would be expensive for my child to go, even if they need lawyer they do not need to pay. I am sure there are so many other things that they can afford more than some other people which they pay for those people affordability. It is good to help needy people, but it gets to the point that seems not fair to people who work harder. They save up as much as they can to buy a house. Next door neighbour could be one of those low incomes that live in same value house but they did not pay that much for the house.  
By the way couple of large apartment buildings that has been built recently are for low income seniors, for example the one at Mcdarmiad, or the one at 10 th st, so they are not renting units for everybody.

 
 
Edited by Deb1, 2015-07-08 20:07:31

Oh Canada said "Interesting information today from Canadian mortgage and Housing that the residential rental vacancy rate gas dropped from a all time low of 2.7% in 2014 to 1.1%.     Would be interesting to get peoples take on why it is so low as there has been a ton of new rental buildings developed in the last couple of years.     On a similar topic who do people think should be responsible for affordable housing ? "

Can you post a link to this article that links directly to Manitoba or better yet, Brandon?  
 
If it's about Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver, their regional stats don't necessarily apply here. Brandon and area never rank up there in the national stats and can be quite different. Bring the stats on for our regional market, or are you quoting them?

Tarry said "    Oh Canada said "Interesting information today from Canadian mortgage and Housing that the residential rental vacancy rate gas dropped from a all time low of 2.7% in 2014 to 1.1%.     Would be interesting to get peoples take on why it is so low as there has been a ton of new rental buildings developed in the last couple of years.     On a similar topic who do people think should be responsible for affordable housing ? " Can you post a link to this article that links directly to Manitoba or better yet, Brandon?     If it's about Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver, their regional stats don't necessarily apply here. Brandon and area never rank up there in the national stats and can be quite different. Bring the stats on for our regional market, or are you quoting them? "

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64491/64491_2015_B01.pdf?lang=en  
 
Quick search gave me this. There is the pdf document.

The statistical information was taken from a article in the Brandon sun and in the article the director of economic development was quoted on the stats so I would suggest they are accurate.  
 
For those looking a listing of homes for sale most people that need affordable housing do not have the resources or ability to buy.  
 
Here is some other interesting information . There was an announcement that Manitoba housing and the Kawanis club will be building a 38 unit affordable housing at 30 3rd st. in 2016, There will be 25 one bedroom and 13 two bedroom units . The estimated budget for the project is 13.5 million dollars ( or a average of $355,000 a unit )  
 
The other day I was looking at the mls for commercial properties for sale . There is an apartment block that is less than 2 years old located at 1324 1st st for sale. 48 units ( assume most are 2 bedroom) and they are asking $10.3 million ( or $214,500 a unit ) see link.  
 
Maybe someone can help with the math as something seems a lot off??  
 
 
 
http://www.icx.ca/PropertyResults.aspx?Page=12&vs=SearchAll_2&ptgid=2&curPage=propertySearch.aspx&ci=brandon&pro=-1&ld=0&trt=2&minp=0&maxp=0

"On a similar topic who do people think should be responsible for affordable housing ?"  
 
For the most part, the person(s) looking for affordable housing should be responsible for their own housing. As has already been mentioned, just by people living within their means could make many more people able to afford their own home.

Simple answer is those who are making min. wage and maybe lucky to work a 40 hour week are not going to remotely afford to live in a new apartment which may fetch up to a $1000 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment!  
 
Meanwhile, a few (not all thankfully) landlords are taking advantage of the situation by asking more then the allowed rent increase by passing the buck to their tenants on any 'renovations' on the apartments building and not doing any significant work on any of the suites in the building. The rental board drags their feet quite well and occasionally shake their head over some the claims (eg. new roof on a building or new boilers at one apartment that I am aware of). Its almost bite your tongue and see your cost of living go up by over 5% or try to find another place to live which has more upkeep done to it. It may mean a person will need to work 2 jobs to safely afford to put a roof over their head. My apartment been hit twice by having to pay more then the allowed rent increase that within the last 5 years. I've seen my rent go up by almost $300 in the last 7 years if this latest propose rent increase (6 months and no ruling!?!) goes ahead.  
 
 
Edited by unbreakable1, 2015-07-08 22:38:32

However, a couple renting a suite in Brandon both working can expect to be paying between 8-1000 bucks a months. Down payments are very hard to save for when there is very little to put away. Just because "you" did it doesn't mean everyone can. When couples are able to buy a home they are more invested in the property. They care more about the neighbourhood, are more willing to contribute to the school in the area as it is assumed that their own children will attend one day. These are things that help build the city of Brandon. Pushing people out of the city to buy affordable housing is not how we keep our tax base coming in. I think when couples/ families buy homes it benefits not only that particular family but the city as a whole as well. IMO. I see nothing wrong with helping someone out who is working their arses off to get ahead. It is very hard for people to get ahead. The 30 000 homes of our parents or grandparents generation just don't exist anymore. Those homes are now 200 000 with a 3000 dollar tax bill every year. So affordable housing is something that does not exist for the ordinary joe in Brandon.

Yes, rent is expensive and you're right it's extremely hard to save any money when you're spending it all on bills and your rent. Especially if you're not even a couple working and renting. I live with a roommate and she just finished college, I'm still in university, and while we both work it's nearly impossible for either of us to save any money to buy a house in the forseeable future because we're paying off student debts as well as just trying to afford life.

Do you think no one else who has saved up and purchased their own home didn't do the same thing? I had student loan debt, paid it off and saved up to buy a house. No hand outs. I wouldn't think of buying a house until "I" could afford it....  

honestly if you cant save while renting you can not afford to buy a house yet  
 
houses cost a ton to maintain and the little things add up too so you need enough income and be mature enough to budget your money well in order to move on to ownership otherwise you will still be crying about how difficult it is to pay your bills

traveller said "honestly if you cant save while renting you can not afford to buy a house yet     houses cost a ton to maintain and the little things add up too so you need enough income and be mature enough to budget your money well in order to move on to ownership otherwise you will still be crying about how difficult it is to pay your bills "

I totally agree. These BEEP homes that make owning affordable and gets them into a home of their own.....when repairs are needed who funds them? 5+ years water tank, appliances start to go, the list goes on. And it isn't like stuff is only a hundred here and hundred there. It is a grand here and a couple grand there.

Fishin Guy said "    traveller said "honestly if you cant save while renting you can not afford to buy a house yet     houses cost a ton to maintain and the little things add up too so you need enough income and be mature enough to budget your money well in order to move on to ownership otherwise you will still be crying about how difficult it is to pay your bills " I totally agree. These BEEP homes that make owning affordable and gets them into a home of their own.....when repairs are needed who funds them? 5+ years water tank, appliances start to go, the list goes on. And it isn't like stuff is only a hundred here and hundred there. It is a grand here and a couple grand there. "

tack on property taxes, school taxes, hydro, water, home insurance, maintenance costs, yard maintenance, and any other issues that may pop up.  
 

ece2 said "However, a couple renting a suite in Brandon both working can expect to be paying between 8-1000 bucks a months. Down payments are very hard to save for when there is very little to put away. Just because "you" did it doesn't mean everyone can. When couples are able to buy a home they are more invested in the property. They care more about the neighbourhood, are more willing to contribute to the school in the area as it is assumed that their own children will attend one day. These are things that help build the city of Brandon. Pushing people out of the city to buy affordable housing is not how we keep our tax base coming in. I think when couples/ families buy homes it benefits not only that particular family but the city as a whole as well. IMO. I see nothing wrong with helping someone out who is working their arses off to get ahead. It is very hard for people to get ahead. The 30 000 homes of our parents or grandparents generation just don't exist anymore. Those homes are now 200 000 with a 3000 dollar tax bill every year. So affordable housing is something that does not exist for the ordinary joe in Brandon. "

You'd have to do alot of adjusting in order to make that an apples to apples comparison.  
 
My parents generation might have bought a $30,000 home, but had a substantially lower income even at the higher end of the spectrum, and an interest rate in the teens.

As the vacancy rate relates more to people renting homes vs buying homes what do people see as the reason for not enough rental suites and homes? The interesting part is that with in theory more people having to rent that can not afford a house it has not really effected the price of entry level homes.  
 
I would suggest that as some have said there has been conversion of rental properties with one to three suites back into single family homes. The other issue is that from looking at the cost involved in buying, building and renting properties and suites that the return on investment is minimal at best. Basically more risk than reward!  
 
Keep in mind that owning rental properties is a business. Like any business or job if you are not being compensated or making money doing it why take the risk!

ece2 said "However, a couple renting a suite in Brandon both working can expect to be paying between 8-1000 bucks a months. Down payments are very hard to save for when there is very little to put away. Just because "you" did it doesn't mean everyone can. When couples are able to buy a home they are more invested in the property. They care more about the neighbourhood, are more willing to contribute to the school in the area as it is assumed that their own children will attend one day. These are things that help build the city of Brandon. Pushing people out of the city to buy affordable housing is not how we keep our tax base coming in. I think when couples/ families buy homes it benefits not only that particular family but the city as a whole as well. IMO. I see nothing wrong with helping someone out who is working their arses off to get ahead. It is very hard for people to get ahead. The 30 000 homes of our parents or grandparents generation just don't exist anymore. Those homes are now 200 000 with a 3000 dollar tax bill every year. So affordable housing is something that does not exist for the ordinary joe in Brandon. "

and in those days  
1) families grew a lot of their food  
2) there was one car, usually a beater is you were not well off  
3) fathers went hunting for the winter meat  
4) Big screen TV? Not likely  
5) one land line, no cell phones  
6) kids toys were simple, parents didn't buy ipads  
7) how many families every went on tropical holidays?  
8) eating in restaurants? Rare for most  
 
and so on,  
 
Cant compare the generations by one standard alone  
 
Edited by on-second-thought, 2015-07-11 13:49:22

Are so low, because, as stated here it's very tough to save for the down payment.  
I lived a modest lifestyle, was fully employed in Brandon for over 30 years & the biggest mortgage I was offered was under $100,000. And since I didn't have about $50K more to make my $100K house liveable, I am moving to the country, having always lived in an apartment. Unless you have 2 good incomes in your household, you will likely never own a house, unless you live way beyond your means & plan to do bankrupt, when your job prospects fizzle out.  
I ask the loaded question no one has asked so far," what are we saying to those who come to Brandon from other lands,& in many cases do work we don't wish to do, if we aren't giving them an opportunity to put down roots, own a home & be tax payers?" & how does this province ever grow, if we keep populating the cities with the grads who are willing to stay here & don't here Sask. calling?

Many of the people that immigrate here are buying homes as soon as they can. Many have two or three families living in one house. They look at many of us in our 1200 sq ft plus houses and wonder why we have so few people in a house. Maybe we, the 3 and 4th generation of immigrants, have it wrong! Maybe we are the crazy ones.  
 
Many of these people come here for a better life for them and their families both now and in the future. Good for them for taking a opportunity.  
 
If it wasn't for a couple of people in Brandon that are first generation immigrants that developed 300 to 400 rental properties in Brandon we would be in bigger trouble with rental properties that are available .

"Many of the people that immigrate here are buying homes as soon as they can. Many have two or three families living in one house. They look at many of us in our 1200 sq ft plus houses and wonder why we have so few people in a house. Maybe we, the 3 and 4th generation of immigrants, have it wrong! Maybe we are the crazy ones."  
 
So very true. It seems the last couple of generations have very high expectations, and a pretty healthy want list. My parents raised a family (5 kids) in a pretty small house. Kids shared bedrooms, one bathroom, we even had a boarder living with us for a short time. The thing is, it was workable. It may have been a bit crowded at times but we managed.  
 
If you compare some of the new Canadians living here, 3 families to a home, and my situation with only my wife and I living in a home of over 1600 sq. ft. really, who are the crazy ones.