Housing

A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)

B.C. city reconsidering ban on people living in RVs on agricultural land

Possible change of heart comes after Vernon couple’s lengthy battle with over farm living arrangement

A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon was part of Wednesday’s announcement that the speculation and vacancy tax would expand to Vernon, Coldstream, Penticton, Summerland, Lake Country and Peachland among other communities. A total of 13 new communities will be subject to the tax starting January 2025. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Speculation tax expanding to several new B.C. communities

Okanagan now almost completely covered, Kamloops, Salmon Arm and parts of Vancouver Island added

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon was part of Wednesday’s announcement that the speculation and vacancy tax would expand to Vernon, Coldstream, Penticton, Summerland, Lake Country and Peachland among other communities. A total of 13 new communities will be subject to the tax starting January 2025. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A new study from Statistics Canada finds just over 14 per cent of adult children born in the 1990s owned homes in B.C. in 2021, the lowest rate in Canada. But the figures go up with income and most importantly with the question of how many properties their parents own. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Bank of Mom and Dad’ helps fuel home ownership for young B.C. adults

Lowest home-ownership rate in Canada for children born in 1990s, improves if parents own homes

A new study from Statistics Canada finds just over 14 per cent of adult children born in the 1990s owned homes in B.C. in 2021, the lowest rate in Canada. But the figures go up with income and most importantly with the question of how many properties their parents own. (Black Press Media file photo)
(File photo)

Almost 1 in 5 B.C. seniors at risk of homelessness: Report

The report comes from the United Way BC

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The province is looking to select a consultant to create a selection of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes in a new effort to tackle the housing crisis. (B.C. government)

B.C. looks to standardize multiplex designs as latest fix to housing crisis

The province’s pre-approved designs will be for triplexes, fourplexes and laneway homes

The province is looking to select a consultant to create a selection of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes in a new effort to tackle the housing crisis. (B.C. government)
North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones, here seen shortly after assuming office, in 2022 has criticized what he calls a “province-wide, ‘one-size-fits-all,’ approach to increasing housing supply” (District of North Saanich/Submitted)

Rural B.C. mayors not eager to embrace new housing legislation

Communities concerned about provincial overreach, lack of local control

North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones, here seen shortly after assuming office, in 2022 has criticized what he calls a “province-wide, ‘one-size-fits-all,’ approach to increasing housing supply” (District of North Saanich/Submitted)
A new report says the average asking price for a rental unit in Canada reached $2,178 last month, a 9.9 per cent year-over-year increase and continuing a trend that has seen asking rents hit new highs for six months in a row. Real estate signage showing an apartment for rent is seen on Monday, May 15, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Average Canadian rent price hits new high for 6th consecutive month: report

Vancouver leads the way as the most expensive city for renters

A new report says the average asking price for a rental unit in Canada reached $2,178 last month, a 9.9 per cent year-over-year increase and continuing a trend that has seen asking rents hit new highs for six months in a row. Real estate signage showing an apartment for rent is seen on Monday, May 15, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Dominika and Gavin McDonald and their three-year-old Alexander, by some of the damage that, they claim, was caused by their tenants. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Trashed house has B.C. landlords rethinking renting, looking for protection

Rental property now has holes in the wall, broken cubboards, and scratched floors

Dominika and Gavin McDonald and their three-year-old Alexander, by some of the damage that, they claim, was caused by their tenants. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changes promise to cut B.C. development negotiations, provide certainty

Legislation also reforms development cost charges giving municipalities more flexibility

New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)
Workers build a home Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Marshall, N.C. Climate change is increasing billion-dollar disasters, many of them from intensifying hurricanes. Housing developers are now building homes, some of them round, that can resist hurricane-force winds and at the same time generate much less of the emissions that contribute to climate change. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Some homes are being built to stand up to hurricanes and cut emissions, too

Solar panels, for instance, can both keep out strong winds and provide clean power

Workers build a home Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Marshall, N.C. Climate change is increasing billion-dollar disasters, many of them from intensifying hurricanes. Housing developers are now building homes, some of them round, that can resist hurricane-force winds and at the same time generate much less of the emissions that contribute to climate change. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Kimberley, along with Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, is among B.C. communities that already allow zoning for small-scale, multi-unit (SSMU) housing coming to the rest of the province under new legislation. But the president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities warns of “unintended consequences” in face of staffing shortages and infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)

UBCM prez warns of ‘unintended consequences’ from new housing legislation

Communities face ‘real constraints’ in terms of staffing, infrastructure that may fray, she warns

Kimberley, along with Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, is among B.C. communities that already allow zoning for small-scale, multi-unit (SSMU) housing coming to the rest of the province under new legislation. But the president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities warns of “unintended consequences” in face of staffing shortages and infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)

New housing legislation promises to create 130,000 homes in B.C. in 10 years

Single-family density increase coming across the province for communities over 5,000 people

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)
Construction workers building a home in the Latimer neighbourhood of Langley. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

OPINION: Ottawa’s energy-efficiency standards will increase home prices in B.C.

New housing isn’t keeping up with B.C. population growth and energy standards won’t help

  • Nov 1, 2023
Construction workers building a home in the Latimer neighbourhood of Langley. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
CMHC President and CEO Romy Bowers speaks to reporters in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023. Infrastructure Canada says the Bowers is stepping down. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Canada housing agency head to step down, interim CEO named

Romy Bowers taking new position at International Monetary Fund

CMHC President and CEO Romy Bowers speaks to reporters in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023. Infrastructure Canada says the Bowers is stepping down. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s new short-term rental regulations approved after colourful debate

Law limiting short-term rentals in some - but not all - B.C. communities passes

Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby calls charges of hypocrisy around the sale of his former condominium a ‘lie’ and ‘manufactured’ designed to distract the public from BC United’s opposition to new legislation limiting short-term rentals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Eby calls charges of hypocrisy in condo deal a ‘manufactured scandal’

Opposition says B.C. Premier benefited from language marketing former condo as a short-term rental.

Premier David Eby calls charges of hypocrisy around the sale of his former condominium a ‘lie’ and ‘manufactured’ designed to distract the public from BC United’s opposition to new legislation limiting short-term rentals. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new study says B.C. tops Canada for the highest cost of living, taking into consideration factors such as buying and renting property, a plane ticket, public transportation, dental services, healthcare, clothing and hotel accommodation. A home is displayed for sale in a new housing development in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. has highest cost of living in Canada: Study

B.C. scored 79 out of 100, compared to Newfoundland and Labrador at just 20

A new study says B.C. tops Canada for the highest cost of living, taking into consideration factors such as buying and renting property, a plane ticket, public transportation, dental services, healthcare, clothing and hotel accommodation. A home is displayed for sale in a new housing development in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

British Columbians at higher risk for eviction from rentals

About 1 in 10 B.C. tenants are evicted, nearly twice the national average

  • Oct 20, 2023
A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland arrives to hold a press conference in the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Feds applaud B.C. moves to limit short-term rentals

Freeland considering federal action after B.C. announces crackdown

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland arrives to hold a press conference in the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, here seen in September, supports new legislation limiting short-term rentals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Housing-starved communities call short-term rental changes a good start

AirBnB opposes legislation, calls for different approach, Opposition worried about collateral damage

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, here seen in September, supports new legislation limiting short-term rentals. (Black Press Media file photo)