WEHBA celebrates industry accomplishments at first in-person gathering in two years

More than 320 leaders from the home building and construction industries recently attended the West End Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) Annual Industry Luncheon. After two years of small get togethers and virtual experiences, guests were pleased to be back in person for one of the largest events in the industry.

Keynote Speaker, The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, delivered strong remarks about all levels of government needing to take coordinated action to address the housing crisis. “We need to make it easier and less expensive to build all types of housing faster, so that hard-working Ontarians can find a home that meets their needs and budget. It’s crucial that all levels of government take coordinated, pro-housing action to make it easier for all Ontarians to find the home that’s right for them.”

Urgent need

Three weeks after the Ontario government introduced several initiatives to accelerate the construction of new homes and increase supply and affordability options, Clark highlighted the urgent need to identify and implement additional measures to address the housing supply crisis.

“We know Ontario is the best place to live, start a business, and raise a family,” Clark said. “But we can only build on our progress if all hardworking Ontarians are able to find a home they can afford. Once the ink was dry on More Homes, More Choice, I was hard at work planning for our second housing supply action plan because we know there is no silver bullet to the housing crisis.”

WEHBA President Bianca Bruzzese also addressed the assembly, and delivered updates on the association’s growth and transformation over the past two years. “Our membership has thrived. Corporate support from our partners is greater than ever. And we have seen significant growth and diversification within our builder member group, providing an excellent representation of the homes that our members build for this Community and the homes that buyers aspire to purchase.”

Bruzzese also discussed the housing supply crisis and the importance of providing a safe and accessible community for our children and generations to come. “We, as an association, want to collaborate with all stakeholders and all levels of government to provide attainable housing options for home buyers today and for generations to come. We need to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years. So, let’s work together to get it done.”

Hall of Fame

Every year during the Industry Luncheon, the West End Home Builders’ Association recognizes a distinguished member, by inducting them into the Association’s Hall of Fame. The WEHBA Hall of Fame was instituted in 1990 for the purpose of recognizing those members who have historically made outstanding and lasting contributions to the Association, the community or the industry. The 2022 Inductee, Diane Murray, made history as the first woman to be inducted into the WEHBA Hall of Fame. Murray, who served as a board member between 2002 and 2004, and also served for many years on the executive of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), is also the recipient of multiple association awards.

This year, the West End Home Builders’ Association is also celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1942. WEHBA was formed in a time period when new home growth in the Hamilton-Halton region exploded and the need for a professional association that would establish high standards for new homebuilding was prominent. This year, in the midst of one of the gravest housing crisis’ the province has ever seen, WEHBA has been working closely with Industry partners and the provincial government to provide more housing attainability and choice.