Residents of the Northwest Territories continue to have access to a range of affordable housing options as a result of a combined investment of $18-million from the federal and provincial governments. Over the course of five years, the government funding will be delivered through an extension to the region’s Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement.

Bill C-51, the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, would give CSIS a broader mandate, including entry, search and installing equipment in buildings.

Heritage on Millenia (Heritage), a 303-unit multi-family apartment community in Orlando, Florida, will soon be acquired by the Ontario-governed Milestone Apartments Real Estate Investment Trust (Milestone). Heritage will be purchased for $40.0-million U.S. and is expected to be fully acquired by March 31.

The Ontario-governed Starlight U.S. Multi-Family Core Fund (Starlight) has entered an agreement to acquire a 176-unit apartment complex in Charlotte, North Carolina. Located at 9005 Post Canyon Lane, the LEED-Silver certified property, known as Belle Haven Apartments, will be purchased for approximately $26.4-million U.S.

These days, more and more Canadians are seeking condo-quality accommodations without the hassle of ownership.

As part of an ongoing property aggregation strategy with partners Veritas Investments, Inc. (Veritas), Ivanhoé Cambridge has acquired 11 multi-residential properties in San Francisco, California. Together, the acquired properties represent a total investment of $190-million U.S. This brings the number of American properties jointly owned by the partners to 20.

The Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) has acquired an apartment portfolio in Dublin, Ireland, consisting of 270 residential suites and 50,214 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. The Rockbrook Portfolio, which was purchased for € 87.3-million, is the first acquisition that CAPREIT has completed under the previously announced “Pipeline Agreement” with Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (I-RES).

A 331-unit, five-building rental complex, located in Surrey, B.C., has been acquired by the Calgary-based Mainstreet Equity Corporation (Mainstreet). The property was purchased for $33.7-million and brings Mainstreet’s total Vancouver/Lower Mainland B.C. apartment portfolio to just over 2,700 units.

Finding access to smoke-free rental housing in Nova Scotia is now just a click away, thanks to the launch of a new website by Smoke-Free Nova Scotia (SFNS). The free website allows Nova Scotians to browse a searchable registry of smoke-free multi-unit rental housing developments and condominiums to find available housing in smoke-free buildings.

Canadian-based Pure Multi-Family REIT LP (Pure Multi) has completed the sale of a 408-unit Texas apartment for $27.95-million U.S. Located at 2015 Randy Snow Rd. in a submarket of Dallas-Fort Worth, known as Arlington, the Sunset Point Apartments (Sunset Point) community was constructed in 1983.

Renovating a rental property is more than an investment; it’s one that pays dividends. Aside from boosting the property’s value, it demonstrates a commitment to superior quality and gives tenants confidence that the property manager truly cares.

The Ontario-governed Milestone Apartments Real Estate Investment Trust (Milestone) has agreed to purchase a 280-unit multi-family apartment community in Kansas City, Missouri. The complex, known as The Manor Homes of Arborwalk (Arborwalk), will be purchased for $37.25-million U.S.

The Silver Sage Elder’s Lodge, a 26-unit affordable housing development, has entered construction in Regina, Sask. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are contributing $2-million toward the development of 16 one-bedroom units and Silver Sage Holdings Ltd. will provide an additional $5.05-million for the remaining 10 two-bedroom units.

When buying apartment buildings of older stock, buyers should beware of latent defects and know their rights within the law.

The Government of British Columbia is keeping the allowable rent increase for residential tenancies at 2.5 per cent for 2015. This means no change from the rate established in 2014. By law, the rate of rent increase is calculated by a formula of two per cent plus the rate of inflation.

The Hope Centre, a 25-unit affordable housing development for Aboriginal youth and adults, has officially opened in the municipality of Sooke, B.C. The four-storey building is geared towards individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The project features 18 studio apartments, seven one-bedroom apartments and ground level commercial space.

A new affordable housing development in Kelowna will provide 50 apartment units for seniors and 20 townhomes for low to moderate income families in the area. Thanks to financial investments from the Governments of Canada and B.C. as well as the City of Kelowna, the project will redevelop an existing Pleasantvale Homes building, located on Kelowna’s Richter St.