Get used to taller buildings as Hamilton's housing boom continues

If Hamilton wants to keep its healthy housing growth, experts say, its going to have to get used to intensification. That includes more buildings, taller buildings and condo towers in new locations.

Hamilton housing prices are on an upward swing, and will continue that way beyond 2015, experts said at a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) seminar on Tuesday.

Some think intensification is not appropriate, that its a dirty word.- RossGodsoe, CEO,RealtorsAssociation of Hamilton-Burlington

But developers are running out of available land, which means the future of Hamiltons housing market is up, not out. And Hamiltonians will have to get used to it, said Ross Godsoe, CEOof the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington.

Some think intensification is not appropriate, that its a dirty word, Godsoe said after the panel Will residential intensification be a solution?

Theres not a lot of green space available, he said. Maybe there is today, but if you project five, 10 years down the road, theres very little serviced land available. So what else do you do? You go up.

It's a dynamic that's already happening in Hamilton. NewCMHCfigures showthere'llbe an increase in the number ofmulti-unitbuildings over the next two years. A number of high-rise condo projects are already in the works downtown, including the proposed 22-storey project at the former Tivoli Theatre. A planned 30-storey condo project at the former James Street Baptist Church site, The Connelly, would be the third tallest building in Hamilton.

Building up requires educating the community on why its happening, Godsoe said. The issue still faces NIMBYism in Hamilton, including complaints about building heights and the impact on neighbourhoods.

The key, he said, is for developers to get the community involved at the start of the project, and to pitch projects that suit the area.

• RELATED:Hot Hamilton condo market outperforms detached home sales

But community acceptance of intensification in general is critically important, he said.

Hamiltons housing market looked rosy at the CMHC outlook seminar. Abdul Kargbo, a CMHC senior market analyst, predicted increasing Hamilton housing prices at least through the next year.

But its the lower-priced areas of the city poised for a real upswing in 2016, Kargbo said.

Hamilton Centre will see the biggest increase

While housing price growthwill slow in the next two years, Kargbo said, prices will still be growing by more than 2.5 per cent per year in Hamilton Centre. And theyll grow between two and 2.5 per cent in Stoney Creek, Hamilton East, Hamilton Mountain and Dundas.

Cheaper housing draws Torontonians to Hamilton, he said. Hamilton housing prices are, on average, 40 per cent cheaper than the GTA. But thats not the only factor.

Jobs are growing in Hamilton, as is Ontarios manufacturing sector, Kargbo said. And as the U.S. economy improves, so will Hamilton housing sales.

People are working longer in their lives, and taking on mortgages at a later age too, he said. And more seniors are staying in their homes rather than downsizing.

Its a healthy growth, Kargbo said, and it does not resemble a bubble.

Acceptance has to start at the top

The growing market, however, will mean that apartment rental vacancy rates will also decrease. The solution to affordable housing for everyone, he said, will be infill and redeveloping or adding to existing properties.

Thats not a surprise to Conrad Zurini of RE/MAX Escarpment Realty, who attended the conference.

Intensification keeps housing affordable for everyone, he said. But support of it has to start at city hall.

Until we see start to see some leadership at city hall, and more of a hard line in terms of smart growth, that whole opportunity is going to be lost.

Zurini says hes seen an increase in people interested in detached homes incentral Mountain, east Hamilton and other affordable areas, as well as an increased interest in condos.

Hamilton's Housing Outlook Highlights

• The average resale price of a home in Hamilton will grow above 2.5 per cent in 2014 and 2015. It will slow in 2016, but Hamilton Centre's growth will still be more than 2.5 per cent.
• More than half (56 per cent) of the housing starts in Hamilton in 2015 and 2016 will be multi-unit buildings, up from 44 per cent in 2011.
• More people are moving into, rather than out of, Hamilton.
• Many seniors are aging in their homes rather than downsizing.
• More jobs will be created in 2015 and 2016, which will support housing demand.