Housing

The rapid pace of growth in B.C. urban centres like Langford, seen here in 2021 along the Peatt Road corridor, has prompted B.C.’s Urban Mayors Caucus to ask the federal government to consider releasing funds sooner that target projects that improve housing affordability and transportation. (Google Street View)

B.C. urban mayors ask feds to expand housing affordability, transportation funding

Caucus co-chair Lisa Helps of Victoria outlines list of B.C. requests in letter

 

Osoyoos development proposal

A ‘housing first’ is being offered in Osoyoos, says developer

Council hosts special public meeting Tuesday about the townhouse and apartment project

 

Less than one percent of houses listed in B.C. cities as of the first week of May 2022 are priced below $200,000, according to real estate search portal Point2. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Needle in a haystack: Less than 1% of homes in B.C. cities listed below $200,000

Zero homes under $200,000 exist in nine B.C. cities, international real estate portal finds

 

Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist for BC Real Estate Association. (Photo/Gary Barnes)

Big drop in housing sales predicted for Central Okanagan

Economist expects prices will stay relatively flat

Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist for BC Real Estate Association. (Photo/Gary Barnes)
A developer is hoping to bring around 700 new homes to this area of Wiltse in south Penticton. (Zoom Earth)

Proposed 700-home development in Penticton causes concern for traffic, habitat, trails

The city plans to narrow Wiltse Boulevard by putting in bike lane

A developer is hoping to bring around 700 new homes to this area of Wiltse in south Penticton. (Zoom Earth)
Homes are pictured in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Councillors in Vancouver have unanimously backed a motion from Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the city’s empty homes tax to five per cent of a property’s assessed value, effective next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Vancouver council hiking empty homes tax to 5 per cent of assessed value in 2023

City hiking empty homes tax to five per cent of a property’s assessed value, effective next year

Homes are pictured in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Councillors in Vancouver have unanimously backed a motion from Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the city’s empty homes tax to five per cent of a property’s assessed value, effective next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A tradesperson stands atop a condo tower under construction, in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Census shows apartment growth, but supply remains the main issue in B.C.: experts

Apartments in buildings with 5 or more storeys, make up 10.9 per cent of all dwellings in B.C.

A tradesperson stands atop a condo tower under construction, in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cat rescue organizations are “drowning in cats” that have been surrendered by owners because they can’t find pet-friendly housing, said Christy Moschopedis of FCM Community Cat Trappers. (Darren McDonald)

Fraser Valley rescue organizations ‘drowning in cats’ due to lack of pet-friendly housing

Nearly 80% of cats in 4 Chilliwack shelters are owner surrenders, says cat rescuer

Cat rescue organizations are “drowning in cats” that have been surrendered by owners because they can’t find pet-friendly housing, said Christy Moschopedis of FCM Community Cat Trappers. (Darren McDonald)
Nearly 8,500 homes were declared vacant or underused in Vancouver after the submission deadline passed for the debut of the city’s empty homes tax. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver mayor aims to increase empty homes tax to fund affordable housing

Decision to triple the empty homes tax rate in 2020 has brought in about $32 million

Nearly 8,500 homes were declared vacant or underused in Vancouver after the submission deadline passed for the debut of the city’s empty homes tax. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The currently proposed layout of the 686 home development in the Wiltse area of Penticton. (City of Penticton)

Penticton gathering feedback on 700 unit housing development

The project would see a wide mix of housing brought into the Wiltse area

The currently proposed layout of the 686 home development in the Wiltse area of Penticton. (City of Penticton)
A firefighter on a ladder truck directs water on a four-alarm fire burning at a single room occupancy (SRO) hotel, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 11, 2022. Vancouver’s fire chief says some people remained unaccounted for as crews fought a fire inside a four-storey residential building in the city’s Gastown neighbourhood. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Officials working to find housing for 144 people displaced by fire in Vancouver

Buildings included housing for some of the city’s lowest-income residents

A firefighter on a ladder truck directs water on a four-alarm fire burning at a single room occupancy (SRO) hotel, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 11, 2022. Vancouver’s fire chief says some people remained unaccounted for as crews fought a fire inside a four-storey residential building in the city’s Gastown neighbourhood. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp says the annual pace of construction on new homes picked up in July. A worker is seen working on a construction project at UBC in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Budget 2022: Feds add measures to curb speculation as housing supply gets $10B boost

Plans rely heavily on cooperation with other levels of government and on the private sector

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp says the annual pace of construction on new homes picked up in July. A worker is seen working on a construction project at UBC in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Copies of the 2022 federal budget are seen in the media lockup, ahead of the tabling of the federal budget, in Ottawa, on Thursday, April 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Budget 2022: Liberals devote $4.3 billion to Indigenous housing needs

Budget also addresses ongoing search for unmarked graves at the former sites of residential schools

Copies of the 2022 federal budget are seen in the media lockup, ahead of the tabling of the federal budget, in Ottawa, on Thursday, April 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)

B.C. boosts Vernon’s affordable housing with motel purchase

With the purchase of the former Polson Park Motel, Vernon adds 29 units to its housing stock

The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)
RNIP

North Okanagan residents open homes to immigrants

Gain a happy face around the house, some extra cash and help newcomers

RNIP
RNIP

North Okanagan residents open homes to immigrants

Gain a happy face around the house, some extra cash and help newcomers

RNIP
A tradesperson works on a balcony at a condo tower under construction, in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The organization representing British Columbia’s municipal governments says resolving the province’s affordable housing crisis is more complex than just building more homes.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Housing minister, municipal governments at odds over B.C. housing supply report

UBCM report enough homes are being built to match the B.C. growing population raises Eby’s eyebrows

A tradesperson works on a balcony at a condo tower under construction, in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The organization representing British Columbia’s municipal governments says resolving the province’s affordable housing crisis is more complex than just building more homes.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kelowna is currently the third most expensive rental market in the country. (Pixabay)

Kelowna records third-highest average rent in Canada

Fastest growing one-bedroom price in nation

Kelowna is currently the third most expensive rental market in the country. (Pixabay)

No short-term fix for Okanagan housing affordability

Depleted housing supply, Okanagan migration skyrockets real estate prices

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Budget: Renter rebate off the table, but $600 rent supplements coming for vulnerable groups

Long-awaited renters rebate left out of 2022 budget

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)