RJC Engineers’ Post

I recently attended the Accessible Canada Accessible World conference and was introduced to this critical letter submitted by the Canadian Human Rights Commission to the Government of Canada in response to the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes’ recent consultation on proposed changes to the 2020 Edition of the National Building Code (NBC). Quote starts: "The NBC continues to fall farther and farther behind the most up-to-date accessibility standards for residential housing (e.g. the CSA/ASC B652: 23 Accessible Dwellings; B651:23 Accessible Design for the Built Environment; and the Accessible Ready Housing Guide)." Quote ends. The notion of inaccessible housing is a undeniable sign of the pervasive nature of ableism in the profession. Architects should feel empowered to come-up with creative design solutions that would eliminate this archaic and segregationist approach to #DisabilityInclusion. All housing can be accessible. What is preventing this? Housing is not a commodity. It is a right. Worth a read...

2024 SENIOR LIVING CONSTRUCTION COSTS Senior living construction costs will average 3 to 6% more in 2024 compared with 2023, although costs will vary by market, according to a special issue brief by The Weitz Co. prepared for the American Seniors Housing Association. The per-square-foot cost of construction this winter has averaged $236 to $367 per gross square foot in independent living, depending on materials and finishes used, according to the brief. That’s compared with $227 to $245 per gross square foot in winter 2023. Costs in assisted living this year, meanwhile, have averaged $272 to $444 per gross square foot, compared to $263 to $429 per gross square foot last winter. And costs in skilled nursing have averaged $312 to $496 per gross square foot this year, compared with $302 to $479 per gross square foot a year ago. #seniorhousing

HTA Construction & Development Inc is nearing the completion of a 30-unit affordable housing project in Los Angeles. This project, set to receive its Certificate of Occupancy in the upcoming weeks, showcases our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable housing solutions. Costing $151,000 per unit for construction and $251 per square foot, this development sets a benchmark for cost-efficiency in urban development while upholding quality and safety standards. Our partnership with SoLa Impact reinforces our dedication to sustainable urban development and addressing the critical need for affordable housing solutions. This project reflects our unwavering dedication to providing sustainable, well-built apartments that enrich the community fabric. Through stringent construction standards and strategic partnerships, we have not only met industry benchmarks but also paved the way for future affordable housing initiatives. As we approach the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, HTA Construction reaffirms its commitment as a Reliable & Competent Construction Partner in delivering solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our urban populations. David Parada Jorge Robles #Construction #AffordableHousing #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityImpact #HTAConstruction #SustainableDevelopment

Did you know? The Housing and Productivity Contribution now applies to new residential, commercial, and industrial developments in Greater Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Lower Hunter, and Central Coast regions. The funding is designated for state and regional infrastructure projects that are crucial for facilitating development and accommodating future expansion. This includes the construction of roads, parks, hospitals, and schools. Additionally, the funds help local councils in providing necessary infrastructure for housing and improving productivity. The Housing and Productivity Contribution will be applicable to new developments that create additional residential, commercial, and industrial space. However, it will not apply to replacing existing houses through knock-down/rebuild projects.

🚨 Housing Supply Crisis or Immigration Problem? 🚨 After reading the NSW Productivity & Equality Commission's report on housing supply barriers, I couldn’t help but reflect on Matt Barrie’s keynote. It feels like the real issue isn't just about housing supply. Shouldn't we be asking bigger questions, like how our immigration intake is affecting supply? 🤔 These were my key takes from the report... 1) Barriers the Government Needs to Address: - Labor shortages: NSW needs about 30,000 more construction workers to hit targets, and yet, labor costs are skyrocketing. Shouldn’t immigration be fixing this? Barrie’s “Put Another Aussie on the Barbie” keynote explains why it’s not. 🏗️👷♂️ - Planning and regulatory delays: Bottlenecks in the development assessment process and endless regulatory requirements add delays and costs. Are our local & state governments getting in their own way? 🏛️⏳ - Construction costs: Materials like steel and timber are pricier than ever, and land acquisition is a huge hurdle. How can we drive these costs down? 💸 2) Key recommendations from the report 📊🏠 A) Free up construction capacity 🏗️: - Prioritize capital spending to free up construction sector capacity, especially by sequencing infrastructure spending that supports rapid home delivery. 💸 - Remove barriers to density in feasible areas well-serviced by infrastructure. 🚆 - Fast-track requests to add extra floors to existing Development Approvals (DAs). 📈 - Resolve post-consent requirements delaying approved projects. ⏳ B) CONTROVERSIAL: Be sparing with subsidies for developers 💥: - Avoid excessive tax breaks and subsidies for developers, focusing financial assistance on targeted relief for people in housing stress. 💡🏘️ C) Streamline the development process ⚙️: - Develop concierge and clearinghouse functions to rapidly resolve bottlenecks in the development assessment process. 🚀 - Expand exempt and complying development to reduce minor DAs and free up resources for significant applications. 🔄 D) Create a pro-housing regulatory environment 🏙️: - Relax design-related requirements in the Apartment Design Guide (e.g., car parking, solar access, and minimum apartment size) to improve feasibility. 🏗️📐 - Restrict the use of design panels and competitions unless they deliver clear benefits. 🎨 E) Help the construction sector deliver 👷♂️👩🔧: - Shift migration intake to better support construction needs and improve recognition of overseas qualifications. 🌍👨🔧 - Promote construction careers and training for workers to address labor shortages. 🎓🛠️ What are your thoughts on the report? I think it's a positive step that the government is actively reviewing and addressing these issues, so kudos to them for taking action! 👏

The NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s final report on housing supply challenges is now available, offering 32 recommendations to increase housing completions and address the shortfall. With a target of 377,000 new homes by July 2029, the State faces serious obstacles in delivering these numbers, which affects us all. Key barriers include development feasibility, stretched construction capacity, regulatory delays, and workforce shortages. The "Review of Housing Supply Challenges and Policy Options" outlines some necessary reforms such as streamlining approvals and boosting construction capacity. It will be interesting to see how the recommendations will be received and acted upon. Watch this space.

The NSW Government, in collaboration with the Government Architect NSW, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, has launched an innovative interactive map that showcases exemplary designs of low and mid-rise homes. These include terraces, manor houses, townhouses, and smaller apartment buildings. These housing types are not just buildings; they are integral to the fabric of our communities, blending historical charm with modern needs. Imagine a future where every neighbourhood boasts a mix of housing options that cater to diverse lifestyles and family structures. Picture streets lined with beautiful terraces, vibrant townhouses, and elegant manor houses, all within reach of essential amenities and transport. This is not a distant dream but a tangible reality we can create together. However, it's not just about the buildings; we must also focus on infrastructure development and community needs. By integrating diverse housing with robust infrastructure and essential services, we can enhance the vibrancy of our communities without adding pressure. Together, we can build neighbourhoods that are inclusive, sustainable, and thriving.

The  Building Better Homes Campaign is ramping up the pressure on the New South Wales Government to sign up to the Silver Level Livable Housing Design Standards in the National Construction Code – a set of design standards that require new housing developments to offer basic accessibility for all people.    New South Wales is one of only two state/territory governments that have refused to sign up to the Standards. Both the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review recommended that the NSW Government sign up to the Standards as soon as possible. https://lnkd.in/g9ck3xe6

🏗️ Exciting News from New South Wales! 🏠 The New South Wales government has launched a dedicated taskforce to address the acute shortage of social housing through innovative modular construction methods. With a budget commitment of $10 million, this initiative aims to oversee the construction of approximately 20 new one- and two-bedroom social homes, focusing on regional areas within the state. Michael Wheatley, Acting Chief Executive of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, highlighted the numerous benefits of modular homes, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and the significant reduction in construction time. This is a crucial step in meeting the immediate housing needs of those on the social housing waiting list. The advisory taskforce, managed by Homes NSW and operational for up to two years, is part of the state's broader effort to provide more and better homes for people in need. Together, a positive impact is being made in the community by creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions. We're already working on similar projects over here in WA and we're looking forward to seeing more of these across Australia! Read the full article on Built Offsite Publication https://lnkd.in/gSiHNeBA #21stcenturyhomes #affordablehomes #affordablehousing #airtightconstruction #airtightness #builtformdeveloper #cadcam #carbonfootprint #carbonsink #closedtimberpanel #construction #constructionautomation #constructionindustry #constructionrobotics #constructiontechnology #designedformanufactureandassembly #DfMA #energyeffeciency #engineeredtimberframe #engineeredtimber #homebuilders #homebuilding #housingnews #lowcarbonhomes #lowthermalbridging #massivwalls #mcc #offsite #offsiteconstruction #onedaycraneaway #passivehousebuilder #passivhaus #passivhouse #perthbuilders #perthbuilingindustry #precisionmanufacturing #realestatedevelopment #sellablefloorarea #sustainableconstruction #timberframing #townhousedevelopments #townhouses #zerocarbonhomes #zerolotbuilding #communityhousing #socialhousing #affordablehousing #homelesshousing

Planning Permission Granted for the conversion of this former stable building into two units, one dwelling, plus a holiday let. A rural site so could only justify housing on the basis of conversion. Quite a modern building so these types of buildings can be a bit more tricky to get through planning. Fairly smooth process with the council because we had a sensible planner who, whilst questioning a few elements, gave us time to respond and offer further justification. We also made some changes, as requested. Overall, a good team effort, negotiated in a timely manner - it really is the way it should be with all applications!!! Kieran Atkinson #planning #housingcrisis