Housing

A sold sign sits in front of a house in Toronto on Tuesday July 12, 2022. Real estate observers say a new mortgage code of conduct promised in the federal budget will be handy for Canadians having financial difficulties, but they still feel the economic plan was lacking affordability measures.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Mortgage moves ‘good news’ for borrowers, but budget lacks housing support: experts

Code aimed at people with variable rate mortgages facing financial burdens tied to current rates

 

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)

Premier David Eby promises BC Housing forensic audit release ‘as soon as possible’

BC Liberals accuse NDP government of ‘pattern of evasiveness’ around BC 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

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)
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

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
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
(City of Vernon photo)

Vernon seeking feedback on secondary suite regulations

A survey on encouraging secondary suites in the community is open until March 24

(City of Vernon photo)
The dormitory to be built at the Salmon Arm campus of Okanagan College will sit in the northeast corner of the parcel, adjacent to the lawn bowling facility. (Google Maps image)

Student housing at Salmon Arm’s Okanagan College takes step forward

Council to vote on height variance for 49-unit, 60-bed project

The dormitory to be built at the Salmon Arm campus of Okanagan College will sit in the northeast corner of the parcel, adjacent to the lawn bowling facility. (Google Maps image)
This conceptual rendering of a housing project proposed for Drysdale Boulevard in Glenmore is an example of the growing densification direction of development in the city. (City of Kelowna graphic)

Development outlook still bullish for Kelowna

Current economic uncertainties won’t hold back the Okanagan

This conceptual rendering of a housing project proposed for Drysdale Boulevard in Glenmore is an example of the growing densification direction of development in the city. (City of Kelowna graphic)
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
Jeff VanDooyeweert, Eagle Valley Road Rescue deputy chief, pulls up carpet in a unit at The Haven seniors’ living complex in Sicamous as the 48-year old unit undergoes a renovation. (Rebecca Willson- Eagle Valley News)

Two Sicamous nonprofits work together to improve affordable seniors’ living situation

Road Rescuers volunteer time and tools to revamp Haven unit; seniors’ housing plans moving forward

Jeff VanDooyeweert, Eagle Valley Road Rescue deputy chief, pulls up carpet in a unit at The Haven seniors’ living complex in Sicamous as the 48-year old unit undergoes a renovation. (Rebecca Willson- Eagle Valley News)
Penticton City Hall. (Western News - File)

Penticton wants province to match municipal funding efforts for affordable housing

Mayor Julius Bloomfield requests council to endorse resolution for provincial housing funding

Penticton City Hall. (Western News - File)
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)
Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu (left), Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming met outside The Crossings in Vernon for a tour of the supportive housing building Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

B.C. housing minister looks at housing and labour shortage while in Vernon

Minister Ravi Kahlon got a close-up view of The Crossings units on 35th Street

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu (left), Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming met outside The Crossings in Vernon for a tour of the supportive housing building Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
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)
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