Housing

B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

BC Liberals call on government to immediately release forensic audit of BC Housing

Ministry of Housing has received the full report, but did not give a release date

 

Oak Bay in Greater Victoria became the latest community to legalize secondary suites and a provincial pilot project plans to create more through incentives for home-owners to build them for long-term renters. (Black Press Media file photo)

As B.C. eyes housing solutions, UBCM prez says secondary suites ‘critical’ for rental supply

UBCM President Jen Ford says secondary suites are an important part of housing continuum

 

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces march in Calgary on July 8, 2016. The Canadian Armed Forces is rolling out a new housing benefit to help troops posted to expensive communities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Military expecting to save $30M per year with targeted housing benefit for troops

New housing benefit will be tied to salary to help those who need it most

 

A Victoria rental unit is priced at $1,900 for just 350 square feet. (Screenshot/Craigslist)

‘Cozy’ or just tiny? 350-square-foot Victoria microsuite priced at $1,900

Victoria named fourth most expensive rental market in Canada, as city rents jump 15%

A Victoria rental unit is priced at $1,900 for just 350 square feet. (Screenshot/Craigslist)
In New Brunswick, the high interest rates made 29-year-old Lauren Fitzgerald, shown in a handout photo, dramatically alter her home-buying plans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lauren Fitzgerald

‘How are you going to compete?’: Canadians grapple with tight housing market

People entering the housing market share stories from across the country

In New Brunswick, the high interest rates made 29-year-old Lauren Fitzgerald, shown in a handout photo, dramatically alter her home-buying plans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lauren Fitzgerald
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being impacted by the housing crisis, increasing demand for residental housing units, according to the The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (Courtesy of Members CFB Esquimalt).

Feds to build new rental housing at Vancouver Island military base

The new units will help meet the demand of service members who need affordable housing

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being impacted by the housing crisis, increasing demand for residental housing units, according to the The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (Courtesy of Members CFB Esquimalt).
Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

$7 out of every $10 earned goes towards mortgage payments in Victoria: report

B.C. Liberals pounced on the report, while NDP said help is underway

Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Houses are covered with snow as the downtown skyline is seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The British Columbia Real Estate Association says the chill across the province’s real estate sector will drag on through 2023, but it calls for a strong rebound next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Gloomy economic outlook, elevated mortgages drag down 2023 B.C. housing market: BCREA

Conditions are expected to rebound in 2024

Houses are covered with snow as the downtown skyline is seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The British Columbia Real Estate Association says the chill across the province’s real estate sector will drag on through 2023, but it calls for a strong rebound next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a vigil in Victoria on January 31, 2017. Helps says she’s disappointed in the poor judgment exercised by a member of council who travelled outside of Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Appointment of former Victoria mayor as housing adviser draws wide range of reactions

Lisa Helps will help develop housing for middle income families

Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a vigil in Victoria on January 31, 2017. Helps says she’s disappointed in the poor judgment exercised by a member of council who travelled outside of Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Victoria Fire Chief Paul Bruce and Mayor Lisa Helps tour the fire hall site. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Former Victoria mayor tapped to advise the premier on housing solutions

Lisa Helps appointed Premier David Eby’s housing solutions adviser

Victoria Fire Chief Paul Bruce and Mayor Lisa Helps tour the fire hall site. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)
The Victoria area saw average adjusted housing prices rise by 2.3 per cent while Canada saw a 12 per cent decline from 2021 to 2022, the Canadian Real Estate Association said on Jan. 16. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Greater Victoria housing prices rise in 2022 despite Canada seeing a decline

Local real estate officials talk about region’s sales, supply and housing forecast

The Victoria area saw average adjusted housing prices rise by 2.3 per cent while Canada saw a 12 per cent decline from 2021 to 2022, the Canadian Real Estate Association said on Jan. 16. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)

Under $80 difference between rent, mortgage prices in Kelowna the smallest in Canadian major cities

Shelter costs are just $78/month more as a homeowner

Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)
Toni Russell holds up a copy of Bill 44, which removed the ability for stratas to ban rentals or use 19+ age restrictions. Now the strata at Cherry Lane Towers where she lives is trying to turn the condo complex into a 55+ community. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Okanagan senior fighting to keep condo strata from becoming 55+ only

Toni Russell is concerned about the impact to her financial future

Toni Russell holds up a copy of Bill 44, which removed the ability for stratas to ban rentals or use 19+ age restrictions. Now the strata at Cherry Lane Towers where she lives is trying to turn the condo complex into a 55+ community. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is considering strengthening Canada’s mortgage stress test. (The Canadian Press)

Banking regulator launches consultations on mortgage rules, proposes additions

Possible changes to existing stress test would aim to reduce overstretched borrowers

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is considering strengthening Canada’s mortgage stress test. (The Canadian Press)
FILE - B.C. announced a $500 million Rental Protection Fund on Jan. 12. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Eby following through on $500M promise to put more rentals in hands of B.C. non-profits

Funds aim to take control away from speculators looking to bump up prices or evict tenants

FILE - B.C. announced a $500 million Rental Protection Fund on Jan. 12. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Private island tops Vancouver Island assessment rolls at $61.23 million

Oak Bay, Saanich Peninsula retain status as likeliest home to Island’s most exclusive properties

Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
A house for sale sign. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. analyst says new real estate cooling-off period tilts power towards buyers

New rescission period takes effect Jan. 3

A house for sale sign. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. doubling staffing of unit that resolves landlord-tenant disputes

Complainants sometimes waiting months for decisions to be made

B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas (right) gaining entry to the managers’ office at Coachman Apartments. (Submitted photo)

Northwest B.C. mayor steps in to help apartment residents after burst water pipes

Provincial emergency support services assisting displaced Terrace, B.C. tenants with hotel rooms

Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas (right) gaining entry to the managers’ office at Coachman Apartments. (Submitted photo)
Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C., Vancouver partner to build modular housing for Downtown Eastside residents

90 temporary units to be ready by March 2023

Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck