Housing

This week, the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates yet again, raising its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 5 per cent, and the prime rate to 7.2 per cent. A woman walks past the Bank of Canada headquarters in Ottawa, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

By the numbers: What the latest interest rate hike means for your mortgage

Examining how 5% interest affects Canadian home owners from coast to coast

This week, the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates yet again, raising its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 5 per cent, and the prime rate to 7.2 per cent. A woman walks past the Bank of Canada headquarters in Ottawa, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Victoria ranks third among major Canadian cities for short-term rentals’ share of the accommodation services revenue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Short-term rentals like Airbnb gain hold on Victoria accommodation sector

Short-term rentals make up 13.3% of Victoria’s accommodation services revenue: Stats Canada

Victoria ranks third among major Canadian cities for short-term rentals’ share of the accommodation services revenue. (Black Press Media file photo)
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and B.C. Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon have a laugh after a press conference at Nanaimo City Hall on Tuesday, July 4, following a meeting on housing. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo will be asked to meet provincial housing targets

B.C. minister of housing meets with mayor and MLAs to discuss housing needs

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and B.C. Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon have a laugh after a press conference at Nanaimo City Hall on Tuesday, July 4, following a meeting on housing. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
This rental in Saanich is 300 square feet, but is going for the cost of a full one-bedroom apartment. (Screenshot/Craigslist)

‘Glorified shed’ in Saanich renting for full one-bedroom rate irks applicants

Renters looking for some sanity as Victoria market lands on dubious list

This rental in Saanich is 300 square feet, but is going for the cost of a full one-bedroom apartment. (Screenshot/Craigslist)
May 16, 2023 - Chiara Sulyok from Alair Homes photographed for S & L for BLVD CI at Pipers lagoon park in Nanaimo.. Don Denton photo

Secrets and Lives with Chiara Sulyok

“You should never put limits on your dreams.”

  • Jul 3, 2023
May 16, 2023 - Chiara Sulyok from Alair Homes photographed for S & L for BLVD CI at Pipers lagoon park in Nanaimo.. Don Denton photo
Premier David Eby said a new fund will be able to leverage more than $500 million to protect rental housing in British Columbia. (Black Press Media file photo)

New $500M rental protection fund officially launches in B.C.

Premier David Eby said fund will be able to leverage more than its initial sum

Premier David Eby said a new fund will be able to leverage more than $500 million to protect rental housing in British Columbia. (Black Press Media file photo)
A construction worker works on a house in a new housing development in Oakville, Ont., Friday, April 29. 2011. Calls for co-ordinated action across levels of government to address Canada’s housing crisis are growing as affordability deteriorates and the country risks falling even further behind on building more homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan

Politicians point fingers on Canada’s housing crisis

But there are calls for co-ordinated action across levels of government

A construction worker works on a house in a new housing development in Oakville, Ont., Friday, April 29. 2011. Calls for co-ordinated action across levels of government to address Canada’s housing crisis are growing as affordability deteriorates and the country risks falling even further behind on building more homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan
B.C. Premier David Eby, here seen in April, says his government stands with British Columbians struggling with housing affordability after figures show rents rose 30 per cent in B.C. between 2016 and 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. leads Canada as average rents skyrocket 30 per cent in five years

Premier David Eby says government is turning over ‘every rock’ to build more housing in B.C.

B.C. Premier David Eby, here seen in April, says his government stands with British Columbians struggling with housing affordability after figures show rents rose 30 per cent in B.C. between 2016 and 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Jackpine site at 4400 Mackenzie Avenue North in Williams Lake as seen June 8, 2023. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C. promises up to $10M to mass timber company eyeing Williams Lake

Massive Canada is planning to operate in the former Jackpine site on Mackenzie Avenue

The Jackpine site at 4400 Mackenzie Avenue North in Williams Lake as seen June 8, 2023. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan poses for a photograph, in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Housing affordability crisis requires ‘all hands on deck’ response: CMHC

The annual pace of housing starts dropped 23% in May compared with April

CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan poses for a photograph, in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
A home under construction at Woodland Creek in Sooke. The district is on the province's 'naughty list,' and must to speed up home construction or face penalties. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke mayor surprised as district lands on housing ‘naughty list’

Maja Tait says district has difficulty hitting housing targets due to provincial funding delays

A home under construction at Woodland Creek in Sooke. The district is on the province's 'naughty list,' and must to speed up home construction or face penalties. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (middle) announces plans for the Lonzo Road homeless camp in Abbotsford on Tuesday morning (June 13) outside Abbotsford city hall. He is joined by Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis and Mayor Ross Siemens. Kahlon also used the occasion to announce Abbotsford as the first of five communities where specialized regional teams will step into action when homeless camps spring up. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford first B.C. city to roll out rapid response teams to homeless camps

Four other communities will be announced later this fall under new provincial initiative

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (middle) announces plans for the Lonzo Road homeless camp in Abbotsford on Tuesday morning (June 13) outside Abbotsford city hall. He is joined by Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis and Mayor Ross Siemens. Kahlon also used the occasion to announce Abbotsford as the first of five communities where specialized regional teams will step into action when homeless camps spring up. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
This house in Victoria was gutted by a fire but is now on sale for more than half-a-million dollars. (Frank Rudge photo)

Fixer upper? Victoria house gutted by fire is now selling for $535K

Real estate ad shows warts and all

This house in Victoria was gutted by a fire but is now on sale for more than half-a-million dollars. (Frank Rudge photo)
Westpoint house - Lia Crowe photo

Heaven on the hilltop

Peace, quiet and the ultimate in luxury living at this Woodland Hills home

  • Jun 12, 2023
Westpoint house - Lia Crowe photo
This is the view of a house on Dallas Road in Victoria that is for sale for more than $3 million. (Pemberton Homes photo)

Small Victoria house with killer view soars past $3M as market surges

Greater Victoria real estate market sees huge sales jump

This is the view of a house on Dallas Road in Victoria that is for sale for more than $3 million. (Pemberton Homes photo)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has announced Vancouver and Victoria among the 10 inaugural communities subject to new housing targets. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Greater Victoria mayors welcome being subject to new housing supply targets

Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay among the first being tied to province’s growth mandates

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has announced Vancouver and Victoria among the 10 inaugural communities subject to new housing targets. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)

B.C. rental protection fund worth $500M anticipates start in late June

New CEO Katie Maslechko sees fund having ‘ripple effect’ on community housing

Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)
Major restoration of the Green Lantern Hotel and Pub will take place in the next year with new ownership. (Photo by Don Bodger)

New Green Lantern owners creating housing units in major renovation

Pub area will eventually be available for lease

Major restoration of the Green Lantern Hotel and Pub will take place in the next year with new ownership. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A new report praises aspects of government's new Homes for People plan but also calls it a "work in progress" with key details yet to be announced. (File photo)

Report praises aspects of B.C.’s new housing plan, but it remains a ‘work in progress’

Report calls on government to step up support for non-market housing

A new report praises aspects of government's new Homes for People plan but also calls it a "work in progress" with key details yet to be announced. (File photo)
B.C. led Canada in evictions, according to 2021 Canadian Housing Survey. Some 10.5 per cent of renting households in British Columbia told CHS that their landlords forced them to move between April 2016 to early 2021, compared to 5.9 per cent nationally. In Vancouver, the figure was higher at 10.6 per cent. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Highest housing prices, rents in Canada create ‘incentives’ for evictions in B.C.

UBC study finds B.C. leads Canada in evictions because of high number of no-fault evictions

B.C. led Canada in evictions, according to 2021 Canadian Housing Survey. Some 10.5 per cent of renting households in British Columbia told CHS that their landlords forced them to move between April 2016 to early 2021, compared to 5.9 per cent nationally. In Vancouver, the figure was higher at 10.6 per cent. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)