Latest news with #HousingMinistry
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
B.C. given C+ housing grade by task force — but builders say cities need to step up
Social Sharing British Columbia is falling short when it comes to building new homes, according to a new report on housing across the country — and some leaders in the housing sector agree with the report's findings. The Task Force for Housing and Climate, a group of 15 housing policy experts that formed in 2023 to make recommendations for governments across the country, commissioned the report. It gives B.C. a C+ for its progress on developing much-needed homes across the province. "British Columbia has instituted the most ambitious reforms, but their overall performance is undermined by high (and still rising) municipal development charges and some of the slowest permitting approval times in the country," the report says. No province received a better grade than a C+. Alberta, given a D+, was given the lowest grade, but it gave the federal government a B. The province says that it appreciates the task force's work, and its acknowledgement of "the progress we're making to build more homes faster." "Despite economic challenges, we saw a 37 [per cent] increase in housing starts in January 2025 and a 61 [per cent] surge in purpose-built rental unit registrations, showing strong momentum," a Housing Ministry spokesperson said in a statement. "With unprecedented provincial investment in non-market housing, we're on track to exceed our goal of 114,000 new housing units by 2027/2028, with nearly 92,000 homes already delivered or underway." Pushing for 'gentle density' Dan Winer, executive lead with the non-profit group Small Housing B.C., says the report does have some merit, but he says the province has made a lot of improvements that deserve recognition. "We agree with the overall tone of the urgency and the need for bold, drastic moves," Winer told CBC's The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn. "But at the same time, we disagree with the harsh grading." Winer says B.C. has been a leader in legalizing what he calls "gentle density" — adding more homes to existing properties by building things like basement suites and coach houses, or building triplexes and fourplexes on a single lot. "But gentle density is the chance to add homes to established neighborhoods and leverage existing infrastructure without fantastically altering the shape of the neighborhood or the community," he said. "We just think it's one of the most elegant solutions to adding more housing to our vast portfolio here in B.C." Has B.C.'s short-term rental crackdown made housing cheaper? In 2023 B.C. passed Bill 44, which requires municipalities to rezone in order to increase small-scale, multi-unit housing. Some municipalities have pushed back, however, and have asked for more time to apply the bill to their official community plans and bylaws. Winer says some of the biggest obstacles to creating more housing in B.C. include high municipal fees, and unpredictable timelines that increase costs and slow down construction. The problem mainly lies with municipalities, Winer says. Municipal delays Casey Edge, executive director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association, agrees that municipalities are the leading obstacle of more housing. In the Capital Regional District there are 13 separate municipalities, each with their own municipal plans, that govern a total of about 400,000 people. "It's why we don't have LRT out to the West Shore," Edge told CBC's On The Island host Gregor Craigie. He wishes that Bill 15, the controversial infrastructure legislation that B.C. passed earlier this week to fast-track schools, hospitals and some private projects, had included housing as well. Permit and other development delays are a significant source of cost increases, Edge says, because builders still have to pay loans and taxes on land while they wait for the go-ahead to build.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia makes history as first Asean nation to lead UN-Habitat Assembly
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Malaysia created history by being officially elected as the president of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the 2025 to 2029 term. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, in a Facebook post last night, said that Malaysia received unanimous support from all 193 member states in the election. 'The official announcement was made during the Bureau Officers Election session at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, today,' he said. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the UN-Habitat Assembly was established in 1975 and elevated to a full programme at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2001. It is the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements, convening every four years and playing a crucial role in shaping global policies for cities and communities. As president, Malaysia will work closely with the UN-Habitat Executive Board and global partners to strengthen multilateral cooperation, promoting inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities worldwide. Meanwhile, in his speech at the assembly, Nga urged member states to redouble efforts to implement the New Urban Agenda. He said this is to ensure the strengthening of multilateralism and the Habitat Agenda. 'We hope that you will continue to support the call for a High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda especially as 2026 marks ten years after its adoption at Habitat III in Quito. He also emphasised the need to cooperate in line with the principle of People-Public-Private-Partnership (4Ps). 'We are stronger together when we continue sharing knowledge, foster partnerships, and ensure that no one and no place is left behind in our urbanising world. 'During my term as President of the Assembly, let us strengthen UN-Habitat as a platform for thinking and doing. Let us ensure that the voices of local governments, women, youth, civil society, and vulnerable communities are taken into consideration when we develop policies and design action plans,' he said. Nga said a Joint Bureau meeting will be held in Penang, Malaysia on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Conference of Ministers of Housing & Urban Development this October. 'This will provide an opportunity for joint bureaus to assess the impact of the Assembly and align their support with the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026–2029,' he said. Apart from that, he added that Malaysia will also play an active role at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan in May next year. — Bernama
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor reviewing MyKiosk sites to boost traders' sales, state assembly told
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor will review MyKiosk locations to better assist traders and help improve their business, says a state executive councillor. Housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the MyKiosk project was a positive initiative as it provides a place for underprivileged families and single parents to sell food. 'However, the issue now is, some of the kiosks are at inconvenient locations, resulting in traders facing difficulties in sustaining their business. 'I have told the 16 local councils statewide to brainstorm and relocate those kiosks to more strategic places. 'Besides that, we should help to promote the locations and offer training courses to the traders in need so they can improve their food products,' he told the state assembly here on Friday (May 23). ALSO READ: MACC reviews MyKiosk complaints Gan Peck Cheng (PH-Penggaram) had asked about the MyKiosk project in Johor. Gan stood up during the meeting to ask for an answer, saying that she had not received a response from him about the matter earlier. Deputy Speaker Datuk Samsolbari Jamali then asked Jafni if he wanted to address the issue. The executive councillor said he would, "as it is a hot issue now". ALSO READ: Housing Ministry submits MyKiosk documents to MACC The MyKiosk 2.0 project has faced scrutiny and public backlash concerning its costs, site selection and other details. On Tuesday (May 20), Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reportedly said he welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to 'have tea' at the ministry over the project. MCA has voiced concerns about the matter, citing its high material costs, and called for more accountability and transparency.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing Ministry submits MyKiosk documents to MACC amid transparency concerns
PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — The Housing and Local Government Ministry has voluntarily handed over documents related to the MyKiosk initiative to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure transparency and uphold integrity in the project's implementation. In a statement today, the ministry said the move follows complaints from some quarters alleging irregularities in the programme's execution. Despite no formal request from MACC, a ministry delegation led by Local Government Department director-general Datuk Mohd Fadzli Mohd Kenali submitted the documents to the anti-graft agency's headquarters earlier today. 'This voluntary submission reflects the ministry's firm commitment to upholding good governance and administrative integrity. We want to ensure that the MyKiosk initiative is implemented without any element of abuse of power or misappropriation,' the statement read. The ministry emphasised that the MyKiosk programme was designed to support small traders and remains committed to executing all government initiatives with full transparency. 'Through this submission, we hope to instil public confidence that every process involved in the initiative complies with the proper procedures and standards,' it added. The ministry also highlighted that this step signals the government's seriousness in promoting integrity across public administration and service delivery. Comprehensive information about the MyKiosk programme has been made available on official social media channels for public reference. Procurement and contractor appointments for MyKiosk were managed by 133 local authorities via open quotation exercises, with a total of 795 contractors appointed nationwide. The ceiling cost for MyKiosk 2.0 units was capped at RM25,000, a figure the ministry described as reasonable, facilitating fair competition under a transparent system. All funding allocations were accounted for under national Budget Initiatives and submitted to the Finance Ministry in line with standard procedures. The ministry also reminded the public that under Section 27(1) of the MACC Act, knowingly providing false or misleading information to MACC officers is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Housing Ministry submits MyKiosk documents to MACC amid transparency concerns
PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — The Housing and Local Government Ministry has voluntarily handed over documents related to the MyKiosk initiative to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure transparency and uphold integrity in the project's implementation. In a statement today, the ministry said the move follows complaints from some quarters alleging irregularities in the programme's execution. Despite no formal request from MACC, a ministry delegation led by Local Government Department director-general Datuk Mohd Fadzli Mohd Kenali submitted the documents to the anti-graft agency's headquarters earlier today. 'This voluntary submission reflects the ministry's firm commitment to upholding good governance and administrative integrity. We want to ensure that the MyKiosk initiative is implemented without any element of abuse of power or misappropriation,' the statement read. The ministry emphasised that the MyKiosk programme was designed to support small traders and remains committed to executing all government initiatives with full transparency. 'Through this submission, we hope to instil public confidence that every process involved in the initiative complies with the proper procedures and standards,' it added. The ministry also highlighted that this step signals the government's seriousness in promoting integrity across public administration and service delivery. Comprehensive information about the MyKiosk programme has been made available on official social media channels for public reference. Procurement and contractor appointments for MyKiosk were managed by 133 local authorities via open quotation exercises, with a total of 795 contractors appointed nationwide. The ceiling cost for MyKiosk 2.0 units was capped at RM25,000, a figure the ministry described as reasonable, facilitating fair competition under a transparent system. All funding allocations were accounted for under national Budget Initiatives and submitted to the Finance Ministry in line with standard procedures. The ministry also reminded the public that under Section 27(1) of the MACC Act, knowingly providing false or misleading information to MACC officers is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
