Housing

A B.C.-based home recycling company offers up this cozy Oak Bay house for $125,000 delivered and installed. (Courtesy Nickel Bros.)

Oak Bay ‘Doll House’ up for grabs for $125,000 – delivery included

Nickel Bros. routinely recycles homes, moving them around the Pacific northwest

 

(Photo courtesy Robin Campbell)

Cold snap a challenge for PQB residents living in precarious housing

Living in difficult conditions exacerbates medical problems: nurse

 

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in September 2023, says record numbers of new purpose-built rental homes in B.C. is one piece of proof showing that new housing polices are making a difference. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. recorded 30% increase in new rental homes in 2023

New rental numbers prove B.C.’s new housing policies are working: minister

 

UBC Professor Paul Kershaw calls for a shift in taxes toward health to help with housing affordability. (Troy Landreville/Langley Times)

Taxing the house-wealthy could help solve B.C.’s housing crisis: UBC prof

Paul Kershaw calls for more taxation on wealth after housing study shows ‘erosion’ of Canadian dream

UBC Professor Paul Kershaw calls for a shift in taxes toward health to help with housing affordability. (Troy Landreville/Langley Times)
<div>After a year marked by caution and shifting expectations spurred by rising borrowing costs, economists believe sales in the Canadian housing market could be in line for a rebound in 2024. Construction cranes dot the skyline as condo towers are seen under construction at the Oakridge Park shopping centre redevelopment, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Interest rates could mean Canada’s soft housing market poised to turn

Economists seeing signs of a rebound, expecting lending rates to drop in 2024

<div>After a year marked by caution and shifting expectations spurred by rising borrowing costs, economists believe sales in the Canadian housing market could be in line for a rebound in 2024. Construction cranes dot the skyline as condo towers are seen under construction at the Oakridge Park shopping centre redevelopment, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
Construction workers toil inside the Barron Building as crews convert it from office space to residential apartments in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Calgary transforms old offices to housing; experts say others should follow

In just 2 years, the program has seen the approval of 13 office-to-residential conversion projects

Construction workers toil inside the Barron Building as crews convert it from office space to residential apartments in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
BC Assessment says the most expensive property in the province in 2023 was at 3085 Point Grey Rd in Kitsilano. Assessed at $81,765,000, the property is owned by Lululemon founder Chip Wilson. (Google Maps)

These are the 5 most expensive homes in B.C., according to BC Assessment

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s Kitsilano home the highest valued at $81.8 million

BC Assessment says the most expensive property in the province in 2023 was at 3085 Point Grey Rd in Kitsilano. Assessed at $81,765,000, the property is owned by Lululemon founder Chip Wilson. (Google Maps)
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser responds to a question during a news conference, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Fraser says Canadians can expect to see a full plan from the federal government in 2024 that lays out how it will tackle the housing crisis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Federal Liberals will announce ‘renewed’ housing plan in 2024, minister says

Housing affordability has been a major point of contention as the Conservatives fire at the Liberals

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser responds to a question during a news conference, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Fraser says Canadians can expect to see a full plan from the federal government in 2024 that lays out how it will tackle the housing crisis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in Ottawa on Dec. 13. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

40,000 new homes for Vancouver kickstarted by $115 M deal: Trudeau

‘Less red tape, more housing built near transit, more affordable rental housing and more density’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in Ottawa on Dec. 13. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts fell 22 per cent in November. In this photo taken using a drone, homes under construction are seen in a new suburb, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Homebuilding slows in November despite Canada’s need for more housing

Vancouver both saw a drop of 39 per cent, driven by significantly lower multi-unit starts

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts fell 22 per cent in November. In this photo taken using a drone, homes under construction are seen in a new suburb, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The B.C. government announced this week that 31 municipalities will be required to set up transit-oriented areas with higher density and fewer parking requirements. (News Bulletin file photo)

Multiple Island communities must support dense housing around bus exchanges

Nanaimo, Colwood, Langford, Lantzville, Saanich, View Royal and Victoria affected by new legislation

The B.C. government announced this week that 31 municipalities will be required to set up transit-oriented areas with higher density and fewer parking requirements. (News Bulletin file photo)
New homes are constructed in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. The federal government is planning to launch a catalogue of pre-approved home designs to speed up the homebuilding process for developers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada taps post-war era to bring back pre-approved home design catalogue

Move aimed at speeding and smoothing construction process for developers

New homes are constructed in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. The federal government is planning to launch a catalogue of pre-approved home designs to speed up the homebuilding process for developers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Political opposition in B.C. tears down housing models

But measures projected to create 250,000 new housing units in a decade also enjoy support

Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Oak Bay is among the first 10 communities subject to the province’s Housing Supply Act, tasked with delivering 664 units in the next five years. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

‘Tough to do’: Oak Bay facing pressure to kickstart housing options

Infill housing strategy on hold as district embarks on provincial requirements

Oak Bay is among the first 10 communities subject to the province’s Housing Supply Act, tasked with delivering 664 units in the next five years. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in the press theatre at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Politicians left British Columbia’s legislature Thursday after passing a series of ambitious housing-focused laws Opposition parties say will do little to change the province’s status as the jurisdiction with the most unaffordable housing in North America. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Housing dominates B.C. legislative session as next election looms

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says there’s more legislation on the way

Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in the press theatre at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Politicians left British Columbia’s legislature Thursday after passing a series of ambitious housing-focused laws Opposition parties say will do little to change the province’s status as the jurisdiction with the most unaffordable housing in North America. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Thursday faced the media to talk about his government’s housing agenda specifically and the concluded fall session generally. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Fall session dominated by housing ends with promise for more housing laws

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said spring session will see more housing legislation

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Thursday faced the media to talk about his government’s housing agenda specifically and the concluded fall session generally. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A clear majority of Canadians say higher immigration is fuelling the housing crisis and putting pressure on the health care system, a new Leger poll suggests. Travellers arrive at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canadians say immigration feeding into housing, health care squeeze: poll

Leger survey also indicates Conservatives maintaining sizable lead over governing Liberals

A clear majority of Canadians say higher immigration is fuelling the housing crisis and putting pressure on the health care system, a new Leger poll suggests. Travellers arrive at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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 central Vancouver Island

Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Parksville and Qualicum Beach among 13 communities 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)