Housing crisis

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)
Bonnie Forsythe with her family at the Coachman Apartments complex in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)

‘Feeling like we’re drowning’: Tenants of rundown B.C. building fear for future

Tenants living in “shocking” conditions fear losing what little they have left

Bonnie Forsythe with her family at the Coachman Apartments complex in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Kandace with her kids, age 7 and 11. Kandace works full time at the Penticton hospital and still can’t make ends meet. She worries how she’ll keep a roof over their heads in 2023. (Submitted)

Penticton mom, kids facing homelessness after employment disqualifies her from subsidies

With the rise in costs, rent expected to go up, Kandace Sztepanacz can’t make ends meet

Kandace with her kids, age 7 and 11. Kandace works full time at the Penticton hospital and still can’t make ends meet. She worries how she’ll keep a roof over their heads in 2023. (Submitted)
B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver on November 20, 2022. On Nov. 21, Eby announced his plan to tackle the province’s housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eby drills down on age-restrictive stratas, municipal targets in new housing measures

Proposed legislation will give B.C. greater control over how communities address housing needs

B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver on November 20, 2022. On Nov. 21, Eby announced his plan to tackle the province’s housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Michael Marshall, 25, UBCO physics student living at the Vinyards. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

UBCO students rent affordable units at senior’s residence in exchange for fun

Two students in their 20s are living at the Vinyards residence for seniors

Michael Marshall, 25, UBCO physics student living at the Vinyards. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Under-construction condo building Centennial Court in Langford is offering an alternative path to home ownership which a UVic economist said is an example of the innovation needed in the housing market as both rent and purchase costs continue to grow beyond the reach of many. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Langford condo building an example of needed alternative home purchasing models: Economist

Centennial Court offering rent-to-own-like model

Under-construction condo building Centennial Court in Langford is offering an alternative path to home ownership which a UVic economist said is an example of the innovation needed in the housing market as both rent and purchase costs continue to grow beyond the reach of many. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
North Cowichan is asking the province to help the tenants of the Magdalena apartment building who are expected to be evicted from the structurally deficient building sometime in the spring of 2023. (Citizen file)

Cowichan taxpayers buck up $20k to tenants ousted from faulty apartment complex

Money will come from Housing Trust Fund for looming Magdalena evictions due to structural defects

North Cowichan is asking the province to help the tenants of the Magdalena apartment building who are expected to be evicted from the structurally deficient building sometime in the spring of 2023. (Citizen file)
North Cowichan’s council is asking the province to regulate rental increases between tenancies. (Citizen file photo)

North Cowichan asking province to regulate rent increases between tenancies

Some believe significant rent increases add to housing crisis

North Cowichan’s council is asking the province to regulate rental increases between tenancies. (Citizen file photo)
The yellow zones currently only allow for single-family dwellings. The missing middle initiative looks to change that. The proposal will now go before the next mayor and council. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

Victoria passes missing middle housing policy to next council

Two-part public hearing ran for more than 12 hours

The yellow zones currently only allow for single-family dwellings. The missing middle initiative looks to change that. The proposal will now go before the next mayor and council. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
A public hearing on Victoria’s missing middle proposal continues on Sept. 1. The initiative would allow for corner townhomes and houseplexes, as well as infill homes on heritage-worthy properties – all seen as important housing types to keep families in Victoria – on lots only zoned for standalone homes.(Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Public to again give opinions on Victoria’s missing middle housing Thursday

Initiative is a key part of city’s plan to keep families from having to leave the capital

A public hearing on Victoria’s missing middle proposal continues on Sept. 1. The initiative would allow for corner townhomes and houseplexes, as well as infill homes on heritage-worthy properties – all seen as important housing types to keep families in Victoria – on lots only zoned for standalone homes.(Courtesy of City of Victoria)
An information session on the program will be held Wednesday Aug. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Nootka Rose Atrium at the Langford Business Centre, 211-2840 Peatt Rd. Pictured is an apartment building on Orono Avenue. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Applications open for Langford’s attainable homeownership program

Program opens with limited offerings; 1-BR and 1-BR plus den units available

An information session on the program will be held Wednesday Aug. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Nootka Rose Atrium at the Langford Business Centre, 211-2840 Peatt Rd. Pictured is an apartment building on Orono Avenue. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
A California school district is hoping to attract more teachers by providing them with affordable housing. (Associated Press/screenshot)

VIDEO: California school district builds affordable housing to attract teachers

Rising rent, teacher shortages piquing districts’ interest in workforce housing

A California school district is hoping to attract more teachers by providing them with affordable housing. (Associated Press/screenshot)
Federal Housing Minster Ahmed Hussen at a housing announcement in Esquimalt on July 6. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)

Federal minister says housing changes could mean more funding for Victoria

Federal Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen met with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps

Federal Housing Minster Ahmed Hussen at a housing announcement in Esquimalt on July 6. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)
Oak Bay community members participate at a design fair for the second round of public engagement on the district’s infill housing strategy. An initial round of public engagement found 88 per cent of Oak Bay residents support the implementation of infill housing. (Courtesy District of Oak Bay)

Survey finds almost 90 per cent of Oak Bay residents want infill housing

Planners prioritize flexible housing options while preserving look and feel of district

Oak Bay community members participate at a design fair for the second round of public engagement on the district’s infill housing strategy. An initial round of public engagement found 88 per cent of Oak Bay residents support the implementation of infill housing. (Courtesy District of Oak Bay)
Could matching people needing housing with homes with empty pillows through home sharing help solve Vancouver Island’s housing problem? (pixabay file)

Can Vancouver Island’s empty bedrooms help solve the housing crunch?

40% of Campbell River bedrooms empty, coalition plans to fill them through home sharing

Could matching people needing housing with homes with empty pillows through home sharing help solve Vancouver Island’s housing problem? (pixabay file)
Residential areas currently zoned for single-family homes – most of Victoria outside downtown – would be rezoned to allow for townhomes and houseplexes under the city’s proposed missing middle strategy. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Victoria residential rezoning proposal aims to keep families in the city

Missing middle initiative seeks to advance neighbourhood townhomes, houseplexes

Residential areas currently zoned for single-family homes – most of Victoria outside downtown – would be rezoned to allow for townhomes and houseplexes under the city’s proposed missing middle strategy. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)
A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

’Dramatic imbalance’ between supply and demand at core of B.C.’s housing problem: analyst

Rising interest rates likely to have only a temporary cooling effect on housing demand

A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward
Laurel Collins is the NDP MP for Victoria. (Courtesy Laurel Collins campaign)

MP says throne speech leaves Victorians in the dark for a sustainable economy

The speech announced the country’s first disaster adaptation strategy

Laurel Collins is the NDP MP for Victoria. (Courtesy Laurel Collins campaign)
BC Rent Bank helps people stay out of homelessness. Black Press stock photo.

BC Rent Bank sees daily applications triple in first day after province-wide roll out

Microloan program available in all areas of province

BC Rent Bank helps people stay out of homelessness. Black Press stock photo.
Chinna Reddy Katireddy (right), managing director of Macropus Homes, is working hard to help find Mitch Lowry (left), one of his employees, a rental apartment in the area. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

High costs leaves construction worker shut out of Cowichan rental market

Mich Lowry spent more than a month sleeping in truck

Chinna Reddy Katireddy (right), managing director of Macropus Homes, is working hard to help find Mitch Lowry (left), one of his employees, a rental apartment in the area. (Robert Barron/Citizen)