Andrew Petrozzi’s Post

A big day for federal infrastructure news! 🏘 🏗 🚍 🚰 The federal government is creating a new $6-billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, which will go to the construction and upgrading of water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste infrastructure, something cities have said is critical to building more housing. $1 billion will go directly to municipalities, and the remaining $5 billion will be unlocked as part of deals with provincial governments to make missing middle housing more viable in larger urban centres. If a provincial government doesn't reach a deal, the money goes directly to the cities. Building on the success of the Housing Accelerator Fund, another $400 million is being added to the HAF envelope. This will hopefully re-open the door to funding for municipalities that have ambitious housing plans. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eyTaYe9W

🚀 Exciting News for Municipalities across Canada 🏗️ Today, the federal government of Canada announced a new $6-billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund aimed at tackling the housing crisis. What we love is the emphasis on the construction and upgrading of essential infrastructure, including water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems. This is a challenge we've heard ALOT of our clients and partners speak about, and it's nice to see some action. With $1 billion dedicated to municipalities for urgent infrastructure needs, the opportunity for impactful and sustainable development that goes beyond the immediate housing crisis is immense. BUT, there's a lot of areas where this could go wrong. If projects are rushed, communities could be left with infrastructure that's not resilient, fails to meet future needs, has unsustainable maintenance costs, or is just flat out poorly planned. Let's make sure these projects start on solid ground and work together to build a future where housing is accessible, and infrastructure meets the needs of our growing communities. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/dRzd6Ac2 #HousingCrisis #InfrastructureInvestment #MunicipalDevelopment #dependbuild

Government of Canada commits $6B to Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) for housing infrastructure. - CHIF aims to accelerate construction and upgrade of critical housing infrastructure like water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste. - $1B of the $6B allocated for municipalities with urgent housing infrastructure needs. - Remaining $5B for provinces/territories supporting long-term priorities if they increase housing supply. Some of the key actions required: >Require municipalities to allow four units per lot. >Implement three-year freeze on increasing development charges. - Provinces to secure CHIF agreement by January 1, 2025; territories by April 1, 2025. - Additional $400M announced for Housing Accelerator Fund, totaling $4.4B. - New requirements for accessing public transit funding: eliminate mandatory minimum parking within 800m of transit lines, allow high-density housing near transit and post-secondary institutions, conduct housing needs assessment for populations >30,000. https://lnkd.in/gjQrugcX

The federal government began accepting applications for the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund this week. To be eligible, applicants have to: 1. Adopt multiplex zoning. 2. Implement a three-year freeze on DCC rate increases. It will be interesting to see which municipalities (and regional governments) apply. Full details here: #realestate #housing #development #construction #infrastructure #canada

MORE MONEY FOR HOUSING AND INFRASTURCURE WITH CONDITIONS! Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pressuring Canada’s provinces to remove barriers to building more housing, including requiring them to freeze municipal development charges and allow up to four units on every lot. Trudeau announced his government will provide CA$5 billion ($3.7 billion) in new infrastructure funding for provinces, but only if they sign an agreement by Jan. 1, 2025, to make certain reforms to allow for increased housing supply. But as Trudeau’s government sinks in the polls, the prime minister is attempting to relieve Canada’s sky-high housing prices by boosting construction — and to put the spotlight back on provincial and municipal governments, which control most of the direct policy levers on housing. Infrastructure money will be earmarked for “critical housing infrastructure” such as water, wastewater, storm water, and solid waste infrastructure, the news release said. To qualify , provinces will have to agree to “key actions” that include requiring cities to approve four units as-of-right, implementing a three-year freeze on increasing development charges in larger cities, and adopting changes to the national building code to support more housing options.

Aimed at supporting the cost of #building infrastructure for new residential density and population growth, the Government of Canada has announced the new $6 billion Canada #Housing Infrastructure Fund – via ReNew Canada

The steep cost of building water and sewer infrastructure for the planned Tewin community has one councillor worried the city is locking in "forever sprawl" in southeast Ottawa, reported the CBC. "We're looking at $600 million just on the water costs alone. That does not include transit. It does not include roads. It's a huge expense," said Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard, who chairs council's environment and climate change committee."   "While developers are supposed to be on the hook for growth-related costs, Menard said the city could be left carrying a chunk of debt as it overbuilds infrastructure for more than 100,000 residents. His committee is set to consider a draft infrastructure master plan on Thursday. It foresees $1.5 billion in costs, not including $494 million more for water purification and treatment. The estimates are preliminary, but the pipes, pumps and reservoir related to Tewin are among the priciest items, at a combined total of $590 million." https://lnkd.in/g5KQFgjW #ottawa #infrastructure #investment #sprawl

COGTA Budget Vote 2024/25: Driving Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvement In delivering the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department Budget Vote for 2024/25, Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa emphasised the critical importance of infrastructure maintenance and improvement across municipalities. Despite various forms of support, numerous municipalities have neglected essential repairs and maintenance, particularly in water and sanitation. This neglect has led the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to issue directives, and in some cases, criminal charges. Strategic Shift in Funding To address these challenges, the Department will reallocate funds from the Municipal Infrastructure Grants (MIG) Schedule 5b (direct) to Schedule 6b (indirect) grants. This shift empowers the Department to intervene directly and achieve better outcomes, particularly in cases where municipalities have ignored DWS directives. The Schedule 6b grant will allow for more effective and timely interventions, ensuring that essential services are maintained and improved. Implementing the MIG 6B Conversion Programme For the execution of the MIG 6B Conversion Programme, the Department has identified the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) as the implementing agent. National Treasury has already approved the implementation of two projects under this arrangement, benefiting uThukela District Municipality and Emfuleni Local Municipality. These projects, valued at R90 million, involve the upgrading and refurbishment of sewer and water infrastructure. The Department is currently engaging with other municipalities and National Treasury to extend these services to additional areas in need. The success of this intervention depends on political buy-in and municipal councils agreeing to convert their MIG allocations. By prioritising service delivery, the programme aims to strengthen municipal capacities for independent and effective mandate execution. Positive Outcomes and Future Plans The intensive monitoring programme implemented by the Department and provinces has already yielded positive results. In the 2023/2024 municipal financial year, the amount of MIG allocations stopped and reallocated by National Treasury decreased significantly, from over R900 million in 2022/2023 to just over R450 million. This success is attributed to rigorous monitoring and support, which will be intensified in the 2024/2025 financial year to ensure all municipalities utilize their allocations to address service delivery challenges. Compulsory Allocation for Repairs and Refurbishment All water service authorities receiving the MIG are now required to spend at least 10% of their allocations on repairs and refurbishment, particularly in water and sanitation. This mandate aims to reduce sewer spillages and water leakages, ultimately increasing revenue for municipalities. #COGTA #LocalGovernment #Infrastructure #EveryMunicipalityMustWork

Canada's port authorities have identified about $10 billion in known infrastructure projects alone planned by CPAs through 2040, out of the $110 billion sea port infrastructure deficit identified by the National Supply Chain Task Force over 50 years. But how much of that infrastructure will be paid for is an open question, given restrictions Canada's port authorities currently face in their ability to self-fund infrastructure. This is why Canada's port authorities are calling for modernization of the port authority model to allow for more flexible borrowing options, greater creativity in how they can generate revenue to fund infrastructure and a continued role for the federal government in funding essential trade infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/ee3fjD2N

📣 Not one dollar in housing can be spent until a dollar has been spent in civil 💡 The Civil Contractors Federation Queensland Limited (CCF QLD), has called on further investment into housing enabling infrastructure policy as the latest numbers released by ABS show a continued shortfall of new housing in Queensland. With new home builds having record declines from over 52,219 home starts in the 12 months to December 2016 to 32,218 home starts in 2023 – leaving it well short of the QLD 45,000 home per year target – CCF QLD says that a reprioritisation of housing enabling infrastructure is required. Read more in my latest article for Earthmovers & Excavators Magazine here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gUBuXcq8 Civil Contractors Federation National Civil Contractors Federation Queensland Ltd #CCFQLD #CivilConstruction