Housing

Victoria Fire Chief Paul Bruce and Mayor Lisa Helps tour the fire hall site. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Former Victoria mayor to advise 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)
Strata council will have to save more for the future. (Ron Cogswell/Flickr)

Opinion: Penny-pinching Victoria stratas now forced to save for the future. Thank goodness

New rules introduced to force stratas to boost contingency funds

Strata council will have to save more for the future. (Ron Cogswell/Flickr)
New seniors housing on Seafield Crescent is nearing completion with tenants expected to start moving in this summer. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

New seniors apartments in Nanaimo show ‘national housing strategy in action,’ says minister

Federal government announces its $2.7-million contribution to Seafield Crescent project

New seniors housing on Seafield Crescent is nearing completion with tenants expected to start moving in this summer. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Just because a landlord has a key doesn't mean they can use it whenever they want. (Pexels photo)
Just because a landlord has a key doesn't mean they can use it whenever they want. (Pexels photo)
Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)
Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)
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)
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)
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay Photo by Yana Dimitrova.

Writing contest for kids helps fund Greater Victoria homes

Entries need for Habitat for Humanity contest

  • Jan 10, 2023
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay Photo by Yana Dimitrova.
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be lobbying for more housing as part of a renewed emphasis on advocacy. Executive director Al Smith said improving the housing stock will help address the staffing shortage facing the region. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Build housing on Saanich Peninsula to ease looming staff shortage: chamber

Saanich Peninsula Chamber calls for 10,000 more units across Peninsula by 2030, other changes

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be lobbying for more housing as part of a renewed emphasis on advocacy. Executive director Al Smith said improving the housing stock will help address the staffing shortage facing the region. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Whiffin Spit in Sooke at sunset. Homeowners in Sooke saw their properties rise in value by an average of 11 per cent this year. (Adam Melnyk - Shutterstock.com)

Sooke home values rise by 11 per cent

Provincial average sits at 12 per cent

Whiffin Spit in Sooke at sunset. Homeowners in Sooke saw their properties rise in value by an average of 11 per cent this year. (Adam Melnyk - Shutterstock.com)
Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Greater Victoria’s West Shore sees highest increases in property assessments

But Oak Bay, North Saanich and the Saanich Peninsula retain the most exclusive properties

Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Private island tops Vancouver Island assessment rolls at $61.23 million

Oak Bay, Saanich Peninsula retain status as likeliest home to Island’s most exclusive properties

Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
A house for sale sign. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
A house for sale sign. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
North Saanich won a long-running legal battle against a property owner who had constructed what a court called three unauthorized suites. One of the individuals living in the suite has what the ruling calls a mental disability.

North Saanich wins injunction over unauthorized housing units

Ruling judge suspends injunction for eight months to help affected tenants

North Saanich won a long-running legal battle against a property owner who had constructed what a court called three unauthorized suites. One of the individuals living in the suite has what the ruling calls a mental disability.
Sidney Town Crier Kenny Podmore led the procession down Beacon Avenue on Sept. 19 as part of a ceremony organized by the Town of Sidney to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ukraine War, death of Queen Elizabeth II and municipal election define Saanich Peninsula in 2022

Housing, rising inflation and hunger among key issues in region

Sidney Town Crier Kenny Podmore led the procession down Beacon Avenue on Sept. 19 as part of a ceremony organized by the Town of Sidney to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral. (Black Press Media file photo)
Chard Development has acquired the old Pacific Mazda dealership site at 1050 Yates Street. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Developer snaps up downtown Victoria property, plans 450 rental units

Chard has acquired the old Pacific Mazda dealership site at 1050 Yates St.

Chard Development has acquired the old Pacific Mazda dealership site at 1050 Yates Street. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. doubling staffing of unit that resolves landlord-tenant disputes

Complainants sometimes waiting months for decisions to be made

B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas (right) gaining entry to the managers’ office at Coachman Apartments. (Submitted photo)

Northwest B.C. mayor steps in to help apartment residents after burst water pipes

Provincial emergency support services assisting displaced Terrace, B.C. tenants with hotel rooms

Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas (right) gaining entry to the managers’ office at Coachman Apartments. (Submitted photo)