Housing

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

Housing-starved Victoria mayor calls 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)
The provincial government has tabled legislation to limit short-term term rentals Monday (Oct. 16), but not everywhere in the province. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province to limit short-term rentals in some B.C. communities, but not all

Legislation tabled Monday morning establishes new requirement but not everywhere

The provincial government has tabled legislation to limit short-term term rentals Monday (Oct. 16), but not everywhere in the province. (Black Press Media file photo)
A pilot project aims to speed up the submission and review of building permits. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

Digital building permitting coming soon to 17 B.C. communities

Pilot project testing to start in March 2024 in a variety of select areas

A pilot project aims to speed up the submission and review of building permits. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. The mayor of Vancouver has set out a foundation to address the housing crisis in the city, while reducing barriers to building and streamlining regulations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Vancouver Plan’ aims to accelerate new housing in B.C.’s biggest city

Reducing barriers and streamlining regulations key plan to create new homes

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. The mayor of Vancouver has set out a foundation to address the housing crisis in the city, while reducing barriers to building and streamlining regulations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A massive Vancouver housing development spearheaded by the Squamish Nation has cleared a legal hurdle after a B.C. Supreme Court judge rejected a challenge by a residents’ association over lack of consultation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a groundbreaking ceremony with Squamish Nation councillors Wilson Williams, back centre, and Khelsilem, right, at the First Nation’s Senakw housing development site, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. court rejects challenge to Squamish Nation housing project in Vancouver

Residents’ association had been seeking to have the Senakw project’s services agreement declared unlawful

A massive Vancouver housing development spearheaded by the Squamish Nation has cleared a legal hurdle after a B.C. Supreme Court judge rejected a challenge by a residents’ association over lack of consultation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a groundbreaking ceremony with Squamish Nation councillors Wilson Williams, back centre, and Khelsilem, right, at the First Nation’s Senakw housing development site, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon acknowledged not all municipalities won’t be happy with new legislation increasing density on single-residental lots, but added that the time for talking on building more housing is over. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Legislation increasing housing density coming next week: BC housing minister

Ravi Kahlon acknowledged some municipalities won’t be happy, but says time for talking over

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon acknowledged not all municipalities won’t be happy with new legislation increasing density on single-residental lots, but added that the time for talking on building more housing is over. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)

Decriminalization, climate change and housing top issues at UBCM conference

New UBCM prez says organization is ready to work with province

Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesdayu announced new housing targets for 10 municipalities including Saanich in Greater Victoria where he made the announcement. They call for just over 60,000 new units within five years. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

New housing targets call for more than new 60,000 units in 5 years: Kahlon

Housing Minister announces the specific targets for 10 municipalities

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesdayu announced new housing targets for 10 municipalities including Saanich in Greater Victoria where he made the announcement. They call for just over 60,000 new units within five years. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland arrives for a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Feds free up another $20B for national rental construction push

Federal government says new funding will boost rental construction by 30,000 units annually

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland arrives for a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Premier David Eby promised additional support for municipalities to help them speed up housing policies. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$61M in housing help for B.C. cities on its way soon, premier pledges

Eby promises fund to help communities accelerate projects, $4.75 million for rural firefighters

Premier David Eby promised additional support for municipalities to help them speed up housing policies. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
UBCM President Jen Ford, Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon headlined a townhall on housing at Vancouver’s UBCM conference. (UBCM/Flickr)

Housing policy centre stage as UBCM delegates grill trio of B.C. ministers

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy said government open to hear from communities who want vacancy tax

UBCM President Jen Ford, Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon headlined a townhall on housing at Vancouver’s UBCM conference. (UBCM/Flickr)
The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)

Home Suite Home: B.C. announces measures to accelerate housing creation

Premier David Eby announces new permitting portal, secondary suite guide

The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)

BC Housing Minister Kahlon praises GST rebate on new rental construction

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the rebate Thursday

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)
<div>Members of Parliament will return to their seats in the House of Commons tomorrow as the governing Liberals lay out major new housing and cost-of-living initiatives hoping to end the beating their party is taking in the polls. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick</div>

Parliament resuming with focus on cost of living, housing fixes

Heads of grocery store chains set to appear Monday to discuss food inflation

<div>Members of Parliament will return to their seats in the House of Commons tomorrow as the governing Liberals lay out major new housing and cost-of-living initiatives hoping to end the beating their party is taking in the polls. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick</div>
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Cherry trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver clears path for multiplexes in bid to address housing crisis

Council decision means multi-family units acceptable in virtually any residential area in the city

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Cherry trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BCGEU has called for vacancy controls to help improve affordability but they remain controversial. (Black Press Media file photo)

Advocates rally for B.C. vacancy controls, landlords say they won’t work

BCGEU calls for limits to rent hikes for new tenants as ‘soon as possible’ during legislature rally

BCGEU has called for vacancy controls to help improve affordability but they remain controversial. (Black Press Media file photo)
Part of the facility includes a children’s play area. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Women and children fleeing violence find new haven in Campbell River

First residents able to move in to Eagle Harbour transitional women’s housing before end of year

Part of the facility includes a children’s play area. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
The Liberals are insisting they can reverse their slumping poll numbers, as MPs gather for the last day of strategy planning ahead of Parliament’s return next week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the construction site of an affordable housing project in London, Ont., Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

No GST on new rental housing, as Trudeau meets campaign promise

The federal government will remove GST on construction of new rental apartment…

The Liberals are insisting they can reverse their slumping poll numbers, as MPs gather for the last day of strategy planning ahead of Parliament’s return next week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the construction site of an affordable housing project in London, Ont., Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
Peter Fragiskatos, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, London Mayor Josh Morgan and Arielle Kayabaga visit an affordable housing project in London, Ont. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

‘Build more homes faster’: Canada’s first housing accelerator project unveiled

London Ontario getting $74 million for 3-year, 2,000-home development build-out

Peter Fragiskatos, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, London Mayor Josh Morgan and Arielle Kayabaga visit an affordable housing project in London, Ont. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser says the Liberal government will bring in unprecedented measures to help with the lack of affordable dwellings. Sean Fraser speaks to reporters during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Canada to take unprecedented measures for affordable housing: Fraser

Announcement expected this afternoon following a Liberal caucus meeting

Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser says the Liberal government will bring in unprecedented measures to help with the lack of affordable dwellings. Sean Fraser speaks to reporters during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese