Housing crisis

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

 

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

 

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

 

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)
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 hopes 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)

Rental crunch leaves Island worker sleeping in his cold truck for more than a month

High costs, lack of options making it hard for construction worker to find shelter near his work

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)
Creating the ability to build housing options such as these townhomes near Royal Jubilee Hospital is the goal of a proposed change to neighbourhood residential zoning in the City of Victoria. (Rendering submitted)

Victoria seeks resident opinions on ‘missing middle housing’ proposal

Rezoning neighbourhoods to add density is the goal of proposed change

  • Nov 3, 2021
Creating the ability to build housing options such as these townhomes near Royal Jubilee Hospital is the goal of a proposed change to neighbourhood residential zoning in the City of Victoria. (Rendering submitted)
B.C. has the highest rate of evictions in the country according to a new UBC study. File Photo

UBC study finds more than 10 per cent of B.C. renters report being evicted

Province has highest rate of eviction in Canada — by almost 4 percentage points

B.C. has the highest rate of evictions in the country according to a new UBC study. File Photo
Modular housing is a cost-effective way of providing needed housing quickly, says B.C. Housing. (Contributed - B.C. Housing)

First modular affordable housing building eyed for Sooke

The four-storey, 75-unit project is located at 2170 Charters Rd.

Modular housing is a cost-effective way of providing needed housing quickly, says B.C. Housing. (Contributed - B.C. Housing)
BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby jabs back against Penticton mayor’s ad urging BC Premier to intervene in shelter dispute

Eby writes that Penticton’s ‘serious’ social issues won’t improve under leadership of the mayor

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)