Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit Tabled

OHBA supports the provincial government’s plan to implement a Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit. Homeowners will qualify for a tax credit when they make a home retrofit for accessibility purposes allowing seniors to age-in-place, improve the quality of Ontario’s aging housing stock and stimulate the economy.
In a media release President Doug Tarry said, “we strongly believe that a renovation tax credit will encourage home owners to collect receipts and hire legitimate business rather than paying cash under the table. The underground ‘cash’ economy is rampant in the renovation sector and the Seniors Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit should help combat illegal activity.”
The HHRTC would be worth up to $1,500 each year, calculated as 15 per cent of up to $10,000 in eligible home renovation expenses that would help seniors stay safely in their homes. It could be claimed by senior homeowners and tenants, and people who share a home with a senior relative.
Examples of eligible renovations include:

Walk-in bathtubs
Wheel-in showers
Widening passage doors
Lowering existing counters/cupboards

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Stephen Snider and Jim Caruk

The new President and guest MC Jim Caruk discussing initiatives that will ‘grow’ the Association in numbers and in vision, while at the same time continuing to work with government and industry partners on issues affecting the home building industry and our communities here in Durham.

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Congratulations to Elfie Hayes winning the DRHBA President’s Star award for Outstanding Achievement

In a speech at the President’s Ball for the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association, by out going President of the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association Jeff Goldman noted:

Our President’s Star award for Outstanding Achievement goes to an individual who – and this is to coin a phrase in keeping with this evening’s theme – has truly taken the bull by the horns. Her enthusiasm in everything she does for this Association is highly contagious and she motivates our board and members through the positive energy that she emits. She has spearheaded our membership and marketing committee and has taken us to new heights with social media and improving our website to give our members more value for their membership. She is always willing to volunteer her services to this Association and contributes to the betterment of the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association. It gives me great pleasure to present this award to Elfie Hayes of Mortgage Intelligence. Congratulations Elfie.

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DRHBA Supports Reno Tax Rebates Positive Measure will Combat a Growing Underground Economy

November 17, 2011 – Oshawa, ON – The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) supports the provincial government’s plan to implement a Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit. Homeowners will qualify for a tax credit when they make a home retrofit for accessibility purposes allowing seniors to age-in-place, improve the quality of Ontario’s aging housing stock and stimulate the economy.

DRHBA President Stephen Snider said’ “In an aging society it is important that options are provided allowing seniors to age-in-place and live with dignity in safe and familiar surroundings. Adapting and improving Ontario’s housing stock with retrofits to improve accessibility is an important recognition of our changing demographic realities and the value of renovations conducted by professional contractors.”

Snider commented, “we strongly believe that a renovation tax credit will encourage home owners to collect receipts and hire legitimate business rather than paying cash under the table. The underground ‘cash’ economy is rampant in the renovation sector and the Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit should help combat illegal activity.” Of the over $23 billion spend on renovations in Ontario, it is estimated over $5 billion is conducted by illegal underground contractors.

Earlier this year the CRA noted that 3 million Canadian participated in the stimulus focused federal Home Renovation Tax Credit, which gave the Canadian economy a shot in the arm in the midst of the worldwide economic crisis. Analysts have estimated it pumped an additional $4.3 billion in renovation investment into the economy as well as reduced underground economic activity through the collection of tax receipts.

The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in Durham representing over 160 member companies. The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association is proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders’ Associations.

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Finding a Contractor

“Finding a contractor is a lot like online dating-you don’t know a lot about the person before meeting them but you expect a lot out of the relationship.”
- Bryan Baeumler, Toronto Star.

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Stephen Snider is new DRHBA President

“It is a great honour to serve as the 58th President of the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association,” said Stephen Snider at the President’s Gala on Nov. 19th at Tosca Banquet Centre in Oshawa. “I am grateful to the Board, the Executive and to our membership for their confidence in me to lead our Association through the next year.”

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With Sincere Thanks

Steve and Marilyn,
Thank you both for all of your work to build our new home. We are so pleased with the finished product and it’s been wonderful settling in.
We truly appreciate all of the time each of you spent with us guiding us through the process and providing expert design ideas. The attention to detail and finishing is evident throughout the house and had been commented on by many of our guests.
It has been a pleasure to work with both of you and to meet the many fine tradespeople who worked to make our dream home a reality.
With Sincere Thanks,
Mike and Kellea Passmore.

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2011 Port Perry Town and Country House Tour Raises over $9,000 for Local Charities

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Steve, Many Thanks for our Wonderful House.

We REALLY appreciate what a fine job you did for us.

Anne and Larry Wright

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CHALLENGES FACING HOMEOWNERSHIP AFFORDABILITY

Heavy Municipal Levies, Fees and Charges on New Homes Reduce Housing Affordability
Charges Total Over $50,000 in Some Municipalities

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