4 The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Friday, December 24,1993 Oshawa Apartment Vacancy Rate Expected to Rise in New Year Finding an apartment in Oshawa may be somewhat harder next year, according to information from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Corporation. Local vacancy rates peaked at 6.1 percent last fall, but the number of available units has been in steady decline ever since. Forecasters at CMHC expect levels to stabilize at 3.0 percent by October of '94, which may mean less choice for renters but could stimulate construction construction of new units. As a general rule, a vacancy rate of three per cent provides renters with a reasonable choice. When rates exceed five percent for a pro- Region Re-Locates Social Services Dept. From Page One pockets." He noted that the Regional Council Council will be defying the same Official Plan that received provincial approval approval three weeks ago if it moves its social services headquarters from the downtown. "The region should get the Golden Golden Shredder Award for being willing willing to ditch it now," he said. "Don't be in such a rush to push this through," Nicholson cautioned. Clarington Councillor Ann Dres- linski told council she was going to support the staff recommendation to move the departmental offices be cause of the need for improved office office space. She also pointed out, if the office is inaccessible, she was sure that a phone call from a client in need would not go unanswered. As she put it, "If they phone me -- I'll take them to the office. "We're not pulling, out of Oshawa and going into another municipality. municipality. We're pulling out of a building in Oshawa to go to another building in Oshawa." Oshawa Councillor Pauline Beal, the Vice-Chair of the Health & Social Social Services Committee, said the move will not take the department on complete INSTALLATIONS this month! Heating & Air Conditioning ZZ7 M Bowmanville/Newcastle 436-3212 Oshawa/Whitby 428-0333 Authorized Consumers' Gas Dealer [HTRICK G. DEEUN Denture Therapy Clinic A Complete Denture Service Relines • Repairs • New Dentures Soft Liners FREE CONSULTATION 5 George Street Bowmanville 623-4473^ t MUNICIPALITY OF ( clarington ONTARIO CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GARBAGE COLLECTION GARBAGE REGULARLY PICKED UP ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993 WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR PICK-UP ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31,1993. Due to the expected volume of garbage; please refrain from putting out large items on this date. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. Special Christmas Tree Pickup Monday, Jan. 10/94 Browning-Ferris Industries (Garbage Collection) 433-5075 Municipality of Clarington i Public Works Iffl 40 Temperance Street miJ Systems Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3A6 (905) 623-3379 nnowMiMn rcnnis industries ltd. ImwtitelO'tlfKl away from substandard conditions, but in fact into conditions that would infringe on the privacy of the clients of the department. At the beginning of the debate on the issue, Councillor Beal noted that the new offices would follow "an open concept" idea. "I don't think you've taken that into consideration," she said. "I don't think that you've taken anything anything into consideration but the parking issue." She went on to note: "The rent is cheaper per square footage at 44 Bond" than at the newer location. "We won't be saving one thin dime," Councillor Beal warned. Clarington Mayor Diane Hamre took the argument down to the bottom bottom line by looking at the fiscal responsibility responsibility involved in the move. "Soon the region will be going into budget talks. " Even with the number of freezes that have taken place, she said she could not go back to her taxpayers and tell them they would have to shell out more money for a department department to remain in the current building.. building.. Clarington Councillor Larry Hannah Hannah found out that 21.8 per cent of the clients at the social services department department were from Clarington. He told regional councillors that many of them probably already take the GO Transit transportation and will then have to make Oshawa Transit connections to get to the new building. YEAR-END TAX : PLANNING? Be Ready ... Bring your Records UP TO DATE John G. Manuel CGA ' 13 Loscombe Drive Bowmanville 623- 3105 Small Business Consultant longed period, choice gets better, but new rental construction is discouraged. discouraged. Among the country's major metropolitan metropolitan centres, Oshawa showed one of the biggest decreases in vacancy vacancy rates over the year. This past October, the CMHC conducted its semi-annual vacancy survey across Canada. Eighteen of 26 centres had a vacancy rate of three percent or more, about the same number as a year earlier. Persistently high vacancy rates are expected to level out next year in many urban centres. According to the CMHC, vacancy vacancy rates have remained high in 1993 for two main reasons. Slow economic economic growth and high unemployment have reduced demand for rental units. In addition, low interest rates, a large supply of affordable homes for sale and two popular federal housing programs have allowed many renters to become home- owners, thereby freeing up rental units. A slowly improving economy and relatively stronger consumer confidence are expected to strengthen strengthen the demand for rental accommodation. accommodation. "The improvement in vacancy rates will be widespread, but will not be large," predicted Greg Coy, CMHC's manager of Local Market Analysis. The average vacancy rate of all major centres combined is forecast to decline to 4.6% in October October 1994 from 4.8 percent in October October 1993. Hooper's Jewellers ... Antique Pocket Watches and Modern Watch Repairing We use only fresh Maxell watch and electronic equipment batteries. All watches purchased include a FREE lifetime battery replacement. Hooper's Jewellers 39 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-5747 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ADULT FITNESS CLASSES The Community Services Department has spaces available in the winter session of the ADULT FITNESS CLASSES at the Bowmanville Recreation Complex and Newcastle Public School. Our certified instructors will lead you towards achieving your own personal fitness/wellness goals. Classes will start the week of January 3,1994. Registrations can be submitted IN PERSON, at the Fitness Centre or at the Community Services Department - 3rd floor of the Municipal Administration Centre, or BY MAIL. JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS FOR FITNESS AND FUN! BOWMANVILLE RECREATION COMPLEX INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Mondays and Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. BEGINNER Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. NEWCASTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. FEE: $45.00 MUNICIPALITY OF f O\ , FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: J Jatinqton carol gonder Ontario 623-3379 CS-Ind 4775 Due to the Boxing Day holiday, the deadline for Classified Advertising in The Canadian Statesman will be Friday, December 24th at 3:00 p.m. The deadline for Classified Advertising in The Independent, which will be published on Thursday, December 30th, will be Wednesday, December 29th, at 12 noon. The deadline for Display Advertising in The Canadian Statesman will remain as Tuesday, December 28th at 12 noon, and for The Independent the deadline will be Wednesday, December 29th at 12 noon.