MHBA 85th Anniversary

Manitoba Home Builders' Association Celebrates 85 Years 5 1944 - 46 The era of "wartime housing," when the cost of a house was $4,035 in 1944, rising to $4,830 by 1946. 1943 The Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) was formed. INVENTIONS OF THE 1940s Microwave ovens, Tupperware, the Slinky, Velcro, Silly Putty and the Frisbee are a few notable inventions of the 1940s. 1947 The Central Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) was created. Their basic function was to administer the National Housing Act and the Home Improvement Loans Guarantee Act, and to provide discounting facilities for loan and mortgage companies. A total of 3,287 building permits for houses were issued in Winnipeg and the surrounding suburbs. points out that back in 1981 people were paying mortgage rates as high as 20 to 21 per cent. Overall, he is optimistic about the industry's future here, especially as the population growth is projected to remain very strong over the next 10 to 15 years. "Last year, we had over 8,000 new starts and that's more than in the last 25 years," he says. "Projections for the coming years are that the market will continue to grow and the demand for housing will continue to be very strong." He notes that while home prices have risen quickly in the past few years, Manitoba is still one of the most affordable provinces to buy or build a new home. He thinks the MHBA will also continue to flourish. It helps keep members informed and up to date on the latest legislation, building codes changes, material changes and building techniques. In addition, it provides members with professional development opportunities and education sessions that help builders and renovators keep abreast of new ideas and developments. "Our mission statement at the Manitoba Home Builders' Association is to be the voice of the residential construction industry in Manitoba; to provide a forum for the ongoing education of the membership with respect to technology and business practices; to achieve an environment in which the membership can operate successfully; and to promote affordability and choice in housing for all Manitobans," states McInnes. "We do our best to meet that mission on behalf of our members, the customers they serve and the communities they help build." Manitoba's residential construction industry is looking forward to another 85 years of success. And by the year 2107, you can be sure new homes will have evolved and changed in a way even crystal ball gazers would have a hard time envisaging. More information: www.homebuilders.mb.ca Top: Mayor Joseph Guay of St. Boniface and Mr. Henry Borger at the controls for the start of the new multi-million dollar housing development adjacent to Windsor Park. Left: Mr. Guy Hobman, Mr. Rubin Diamond and Mr. Brian Hastings, past chair, in 1985 at the Presidents' Ball. UPDATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE WRITTEN BY PETER CARLYLE-GORDGE

• Cover