Is the BC government reducing construction costs?
I don't think so! There are so many marketing going on by the government trying to convince the public that they are working hard to make home building more affordable and cost-effective.
But in reality, they are much more than what they are presenting.
The consideration of building more energy-efficient homes is a very important factor in our construction standards and improving the building industry, but if the government is trying to help the industry, it should offer some sort of effective grants or incentives to homes that are built in a higher step code ranking. What they are offering is not enough!
What about DCC and ACC?
On the other hand, municipalities charge a tremendous amount of money for building a home. For example, the city of Burnaby charges almost $82,000 in DCC/ACC fees for every home built. That means if someone wants to build a triplex (which the BC government is inviting people to do so) the homeowner has to pay $82,000 X 3= $246,000 plus the DCC/ACC charged by Metro Vancouver and Translink.
I understand these charges are supposed to be for future improvements on the neighbourhood, but why do the developers who are building new homes have to pay the majority of this fund? What about other charges that apply every year to each house, like property tax and so on?
Why the government and municipalities don't find a better or more suitable solution for their funding issues.
What is the solutions?
How do you expect the construction cost to become more affordable for every new home buyer if the government and the municipalities are acting selfishly and charging the developers and builders a "Development and Amenity Cost Charge" this high?
We need a more reasonable solution for filling the funds needed for the city, and it is not fair to put the pressure on new home developments. The government and municipalities have to take better actions to resolve this issue.
