HCRA processes 7000-plus licence applications in first year

by brittney_cutler_2 | February 8, 2022 4:37 pm

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Ontario’s Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) has published data to highlight its first year of operation. The organization launched on Feb. 1, 2021, as Ontario’s newest regulator, responsible for licensing the people and companies who build and sell new homes in the province.

To receive and/or maintain a licence from HCRA, builders and vendors must demonstrate that they have the right technical skills to build homes, the financial capacity to run a homebuilding operation and the knowledge and ability to offer warranty protection on a new home.

During its first year, the HCRA processed 7358 licence applications and renewals.

Other highlights from the HCRA’s first year of operation include:

• Laying charges for the first time, including for selling homes without a licence. These charges are now making their way through the judicial system;
• Looking into more than 600 complaints through a new process;
• Enhancing the Ontario Builder Director (OBD), the official source of background information about each of Ontario’s more than 6000 builders and vendors;
• Providing educational resources to new home purchasers to help guide them on their home buying journey, including expectations of builders and their conduct;
• Establishing the HCRA’s first three-year strategic plan, for the period 2022-2025. The Strategic Plan sets out a clear and structured path to support the HCRA to achieve its mandate;
• Establishing discipline and appeals committees, to ensure licensee compliance with conduct obligations;
• Appointing and onboarding board members, bringing the board of directors to full strength; and
• Appointing Wendy Moir as the HCRA’s first permanent CEO and registrar.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/hcra-publishes-report-to-summarize-debut-year/

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