Andrew Gaudry’s Post

The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has accepted another request for a report, this time in relation to a proposed subsidy from Homes England to Barking Riverside Limited (BRL). The proposed grant funding will be available against agreed infrastructure costs relating to Barking Riverside, a 443 acre brownfield site in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) owned by BRL. The site currently has outline planning permission for 10,800 homes of varying sizes and styles, and 65,000sqm of commercial space. BRL is seeking to uplift the existing planning consent from 10,800 homes to 20,000, which would provide significant additional housing capacity, including a target to deliver 50% affordable housing. This is consistent with the wider strategic aims and objectives of the London Plan and the emerging LBBD Local Plan. However, the project is said to face a viability gap created by worsened economic conditions and market failures relating to public good and externalities. Homes England considers that the proposed subsidy is necessary to resolve a market failure and unlock a policy objective (7,200 additional homes) and promote an equity rationale through the provision of affordable homes. Third parties wishing to comment on matters relevant to the SAU’s evaluation should do so by 21 May 2024. The SAU’s report is due to be published by 18 June 2024.

🇨🇦 Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy unveiled Budget 2024 - Building a Better Ontario on March 26th. The $214.5-billion dollar budget prioritizes #infrastructure spending, including $100 million for a Skills Development Fund Training Stream and initiatives for the Skilled Trades. Deficits are projected to rise before reaching a surplus in 2026–27. The government plans to accelerate its $190-billion Plan to Build, focusing on highways, transit, housing and high-speed internet. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-f-dPP9 #ERISInfo #Construction #economy Don Wall ConstructConnect Infrastructure Ontario Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario

🏡🇨🇦The federal government is investing billions in a new Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to address the housing crisis. Provinces and territories must meet certain conditions to access the funding, such as allowing more types of homes and freezing development charges. Additional funding is also going to a housing accelerator fund. These measures are part of the government's efforts to tackle housing issues. What are your thoughts about this new initiative by the Canadian government?

The NSW Government has recently released its 2024-25 Budget, with significant investment made in housing supply and infrastructure delivery to help build better communities throughout the state. With rising interest rates and a cost-of-living crisis significantly impacting the NSW population, it’s not surprising that this year’s Budget focuses on addressing the housing crisis and rebuilding essential services. Some of the key takeaways from the Budget for the property and infrastructure industry include: 🙌 A significant investment to bolster the NSW planning system to help increase housing supply, deliver more infrastructure and support job creation. 🏡 The NSW Government's largest-ever investment in social housing through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program. 🛣️ An investment of $119.4 billion into the Essential Infrastructure Plan to rebuild public services, drive new housing supply and support the growth of existing communities. Follow the link below to read more. #NSWBudget #HousingSupply #Infrastructure

Tier one UK infrastructure and construction contractors and consultants provide further guidance in their thought leadership piece: Blueprint for Growth https://lnkd.in/gdN2rE_v My thoughts... For growth and prosperity to increase, we should be calling on the Bank of England should lower interest rates to attract investors and reduce red tape within the public sector. Empowering local councils to work with the 'most economically advantageous' suppliers for infrastructure projects can accelerate market growth. This is especially crucial now, as local and general elections, along with high interest rates, has led to a cycle of stagnation and investor apathy. The next government should lead implement policy changes to support local councils, who understand the needs of their communities and how to deliver effectively. By providing them with the necessary funding, local councils can collaborate with local suppliers, fostering economic growth and ensuring positive outcomes for their communities. Then again, what do I know? I have only worked with public sector organisations, tier one contractors and consultants in the built environment and infrastructure sectors for thirty plus years providing recruitment services. Living on an island with limited land space and an ever-increasing population, maintaining and improving our infrastructure is an economic necessity for survival and thriving. #EconomicGrowth #Investment #InfrastructureDevelopment #PolicyChange #WildeConsulting

Can Ireland Build 250,000 Homes Without the Basic Infrastructure? 🏗️ Ian Lawlor, Managing Director, Roundtower Capital (A Lotus IG company) - Secure Irish Development Funding gives his opinion in an article published in The Irish Times today. With Budget day tomorrow, the question must be asked - Can Taoiseach Simon Harris's ambitious pledge to deliver 250,000 homes over the next five years become a reality without the necessary infrastructure in place? Building homes without power, water, and essential services isn't just unrealistic—it’s impossible. Delays in utility connections are causing serious disruptions across the country, with long waits for electricity and water stalling projects and pushing budgets to unsustainable levels. A recent report from the SCSI - Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland revealed that these connection delays are undermining the financial viability of many housing schemes and worsening Ireland’s housing supply drought. As the population surges, with the largest 12-month increase since 2008, the pressure is mounting. For housebuilders and buyers alike, the lack of forward planning is becoming more than just an inconvenience—it’s creating deep uncertainty in the market. Without power, water, schools, transport, and other essential services, how can we expect these homes to support thriving communities? #IrelandHousingCrisis #BudgetDay #RoundtowerCapital #DevelopersChallenges https://lnkd.in/e5KiZjKs

“Build it and they [the developers] will come”… There’s no doubt that infrastructure is a key barrier to unlocking more housing, especially in Nova Scotia.  Today, Dartmouth was the backdrop of some significant national funding announcements. Amongst the continued Housing Accelerator policy work sweeping across the country and $6B in funding announcements, the upcoming building code reforms, and pre-qualified development concepts (akin to the post-war housing boom) will continue to keep housing as a key topic of discussion around the table.  The federal government, with its new Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund, will require the province and municipalities to quickly adapt and cooperate to tap into much-needed housing-related infrastructure dollars. https://lnkd.in/grmz_r4X

Interesting article related to the impacts of the development fee increase being discussed. If the federal funding is an option that we can expect would materialize down the road, the city's Debenture Committee could propose a debenture to cover the cost of the infrastructure improvements until the funds are received from the federal government instead of leaning on development fees. This is a common strategy for municipalities wanting to keep capital projects moving forward while waiting for funding. Is this not the best of both worlds? #ottawa #development https://lnkd.in/gCbSmsbV

Unlike private enterprises, government officials can shift cost overruns onto the public without bearing any personal financial consequences. If policymakers want to help develop Canada’s natural resource potential—and the jobs, economic opportunity and government revenue that comes with it—they must enact regulatory reform and incentivize private investment. Rather than assuming the role of construction companies, governments should create an environment conducive to private-sector participation, thereby mitigating risk to taxpayers. Our latest for the Toronto Sun. https://lnkd.in/g56gBZzn

The Coalition in Australia has released a key part of its housing plan, including plans to help fund enabling infrastructure for detached housing in greenfield sites and to freeze changes regarding the National Construction Code (presumably only major increases in energy performance requirements) for 10 years. The plan has been praised by UDIA National President Col Dutton and Civil Contractors Federation National CEO Nicholas Proud among others. What's your take? Whose housing strategy do you prefer - the Coalitions or Labors? Personally, here's my brief take on the Coaliton's plan thus far (1) Focus on enabling infrastructure: really good move. (2) Previously announced measures to bring migration down to sustainable levels: big tick. Migrants are an asset to our country but migration levels need to be brought under control to ease demand on new housing and infrastructure. (3) No changes to NCC for ten years - question mark. Yes NCC 2022 was a massive step for industry to swallow but must we really now have ten years with no Code improvements? Could we not have more modest upgrades? (4) No apparent plan so far to increase social housing stock - big minus. We desperately need more social housing to address the current dire situation facing vulnerable families. #property #housing #construction #realestate #australia https://lnkd.in/g9GdN4ia