For immediate release:
Home Builders Confirm Capacity to Replace Homes Lost In Fire
KELOWNA, BC, September 3, 2003
Approximately half of the Okanagan’s 350 homebuilders gathered on short notice yesterday at the Coast Capri Hotel to discuss issues surrounding the rebuilding of the 234 homes lost in the Kelowna fire.
The Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) of Kelowna assembled a panel of experts to speak on insurance reconstruction, lender financing and the city building permit process. The panel, facilitated by CHBA-Kelowna President Jim Morris, was comprised of Roger Tellier of Okanagan Insurance Services, Cheryl Edmunson of ING Insurance, Claude Guerette of CIBC Mortgages, and Gerry Moller of the City of Kelowna.
During the meeting, builders were asked to complete a questionnaire that confirmed excess capacity in the Okanagan to be 537 homes. “We asked the builders to identify how many homes they were committed to already and how many in excess they could handle over the next 12 months and although only one half of Okanagan builders were in attendance the message was clear, we have the capacity to replace the 234 homes lost to the fire,” said CHBA President Jim Morris.
"The results were not surprising, as the 234 homes that need to be rebuilt represent only 12% of our current construction volume and less than one new home per builder in the area." said Jim Morris. "There were 1517 new homes delivered last year and it has been projected that we will build over 2000 units by the end of this year. This is 32% over last year's volume and skeptics said we could not possibly handle this extra work. Well we did," he added.
CHBA-Kelowna is the voice of the residential construction industry. For 40 years, the non-profit association has been working to make home ownership a good investment and to ensure that more people can purchase and renovate homes. Membership is comprised of builders, renovators, developers, trade contractors, suppliers and other professionals in the housing sector. The Kelowna chapter has 76 member companies.
More information can be found on these websites:
www.chbakelowna.bc.ca www.hiringacontractor.com
How to choose a builder packages may be picked up at the Permit Centre at City Hall during normal business hours.
For additional information:
Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Kelowna
212-1884 Spall Road
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4R1