WEHBA celebrates 2024 industry leaders at luncheon

The West End Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) recently held its Annual Industry Luncheon in Hamilton, bringing together more than 320 leaders from the residential construction and renovation industries, to recognize distinguished members and celebrate the bold steps the association has made towards increasing housing affordability and choice in southern Ontario.

Distinguished guests and speakers included Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, and Dan Muys, MP, Flamborough-Glanbrook. Mayor Horwath spoke about the positives steps Hamilton has made over the past year towards addressing the housing crisis and improving housing affordability. The City of Hamilton has launched a new division called the Housing Secretariat building on her election campaign Action Plan on Housing commitment, has secured more than $97 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and has signed a provincial housing pledge for the City of Hamilton to support the construction of 47,000 new homes over the coming decade.

Affordability and choice

The association’s 2024 President John Anthony Losani addressed the assembly and spoke from the heart, about his family’s humble beginnings, his experience growing up in the residential construction industry and the life lessons he received on work ethic and true passion from his role models. “I remember being full to the brim with pride with the work that our family did. I understood from a young age that being trusted by people and their families to deliver them a home for them to raise their families in was not to be taken lightly.”

The WEHBA president also talked about the current lack of affordability and choice, noting that “homeownership is tougher than it has been in 60 years.” He noted that we need to focus on innovation and adapt new technologies that increase productivity across the whole Industry. “We as an industry have an extraordinary opportunity to help create and execute the solutions that the people of Ontario so desperately need. And to our partners in government, we need you to be part of the solution as well. The time for talk has passed, and the time for action has come. The only way we can implement meaningful change for the good people of our city and province is if we work together.”

At the event, WEHBA also honoured 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, WEHBA Past President – and first WEHBA female president – Bernice Flegg. “As a new board member or serving as president, the support, the seasoned board members and staff provided was very instrumental. As I reflect on my various association involvements over a 30-year span, being part of West End Home Builders’ Association is one that stands out as particularly special, in large part, because of the sense of community afforded me. I’m sure this continues to be true today for current members.”

Housing continuum

The event closed with an informative panel discussion on the supply of entry level market housing to meet Hamilton’s housing pledge of 47,000 new units over the next decade. The WEHBA luncheon presents a showcase of the industry’s strong relationship with our local partners in government and emphasizes the importance of increased communication and collaboration between the development industry and the municipal sector, in finding housing solutions and making our cities welcoming and affordable.

“Canadian cities – especially south-central Ontario are in the midst of a housing crisis that is impacting all segments of the housing continuum, young people, new Canadians and increasingly all residents from all walks of life,” says Mike Collins-Williams, WEHBA CEO. “We all need to work together to solve this problem – all three levels of government, the non-profit sector and the private sector, and I believe we are all up to the challenge.”