Housing

Local real estate expert Leo Spalteholz analyzes the various parties’ election platforms around housing. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria housing analyst says solutions lay with province, local governments, not feds

Leo Spalteholz breaks down the major parties’ housing platforms in the 2021 election

 

While the value of building permits dropped almost four per cent for a total of $9.9 billion Canada as a whole, the value of permits in Victoria Census Metropolitian Area (CMA) rose by almost 27 per cent to some $202 million. (Black Press Media file photo)

Value of building permits skyrockets in Greater Victoria

Greater Victoria building permit values rise 27% while Canada as a whole sees a 4% decline

 

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau makes a campaign stop in Hamilton, Ont., on Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Real estate industry worried Liberal housing plan won’t alleviate supply issues

‘It’s like saying, ‘come on in my store it’s 100 per cent off, but I don’t have any inventory’

 

Victorians can run the City’s 25 km border loop or cycle an alternate route of equal length this September as part of the Do The Loop fundraiser for the Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy of Matt Dell/South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association)

Do The Loop cycle-or-run fundraiser in Victoria supports at-risk youth

Signing up to do a 25K or 2.5K loop gives boost to Threshold Housing Society programs

  • Aug 23, 2021
Victorians can run the City’s 25 km border loop or cycle an alternate route of equal length this September as part of the Do The Loop fundraiser for the Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy of Matt Dell/South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association)
Dozens of trees on a corner lot at Obed Avenue and Harriet Road are slated for removal to make way for a four-storey, 26-unit development. The developer is providing funding to replace boulevard trees removed, as well as for the planting of trees elsewhere in the municipality. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tree issue resolved for Saanich development proposal on Obed Avenue

Developer also agrees to make $52,000 contribution to Saanich Parks

Dozens of trees on a corner lot at Obed Avenue and Harriet Road are slated for removal to make way for a four-storey, 26-unit development. The developer is providing funding to replace boulevard trees removed, as well as for the planting of trees elsewhere in the municipality. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mobile security gurard Judy Dreger has all she wants in her camper van, with lots of space for her buddies Dexter (left) and Raffi. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

#vanlife not just for influencers, says Colwood security guard

Overnight security plus a place to sleep a win-win for van dweller

Mobile security gurard Judy Dreger has all she wants in her camper van, with lots of space for her buddies Dexter (left) and Raffi. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
Saving for a down payment on a Greater Victoria home could take residents close to three decades, according to the latest Housing Affordability Monitor report from the National Bank of Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

28 years to save for a Greater Victoria home down payment: Bank report

Study finds home ownership moving further out of reach for residents with average household income

Saving for a down payment on a Greater Victoria home could take residents close to three decades, according to the latest Housing Affordability Monitor report from the National Bank of Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
New homes are built in a housing construction development in the west end of Ottawa on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Parliament’s budget watchdog says the government is falling short of its aim of vastly expanding Canada’s affordable housing stock despite a spending ramp-up in the hundreds of millions of dollars. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s housing strategy having ‘limited’ impact on housing need, watchdog says

Government is falling short of its aim to vastly expand Canada’s affordable housing stock

New homes are built in a housing construction development in the west end of Ottawa on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Parliament’s budget watchdog says the government is falling short of its aim of vastly expanding Canada’s affordable housing stock despite a spending ramp-up in the hundreds of millions of dollars. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Residents can now view results from the June 2021 survey results on the matter of secondary suites in the District of Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak bay secondary suite survey results show varied results

Summary shows split opinions on potential rules around lot sizes, parking, licensing

Residents can now view results from the June 2021 survey results on the matter of secondary suites in the District of Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)
Total property sales and listings for this July decreased considerably from July 2020 and June 2021, while benchmark property values were on the rise, according to the Victoria Real Estate Board. (Black Press Media file photo)

No summer doldrums on Greater Victoria home values

Million-dollar houses the norm in region’s core, trends point to continued low inventory

Total property sales and listings for this July decreased considerably from July 2020 and June 2021, while benchmark property values were on the rise, according to the Victoria Real Estate Board. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new municipal report suggests parking congestion is the biggest obstacle facing secondary suites in Sooke. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Secondary suites causing parking congestion in Sooke

Committee recommending parking permits in problem areas

A new municipal report suggests parking congestion is the biggest obstacle facing secondary suites in Sooke. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
People with physical disabilities shouldn’t be discounted when designing developments, said Coun. Terri O’Keeffe, as council discussed a new townhouse proposal for Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney councillor calls for attitude adjustment around accessibility

Terri O’Keeffe said developers need to rethink housing options for disabled residents

People with physical disabilities shouldn’t be discounted when designing developments, said Coun. Terri O’Keeffe, as council discussed a new townhouse proposal for Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Garden suites are becoming a popular housing option in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Unanimous vote approves side-yard garden suite for Saanich home

Regulations for housing alternative typically required to be in backyard

Garden suites are becoming a popular housing option in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kelly King with Habitat for Humanity Victoria, accepts a representative cheque for $10,000 from Isla Verhagen, a Grade 4 student at Keating Elementary, while Kathryn Parfitt with founding sponsor Sagen looks on. Verhagen earned the prize with her entry in the Meaning of Home writing contest, the only one written in French. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Victoria)

Central Saanich elementary student wins national writing contest

Keating Elementary’s Isla Verhagen won $10,000 for Habitat Victoria

Kelly King with Habitat for Humanity Victoria, accepts a representative cheque for $10,000 from Isla Verhagen, a Grade 4 student at Keating Elementary, while Kathryn Parfitt with founding sponsor Sagen looks on. Verhagen earned the prize with her entry in the Meaning of Home writing contest, the only one written in French. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Victoria)
Craigdarroch Castle. (Photo by Andrew Annuar/Courtesy Craigdarroch Castle)

Victoria makes the top 5 list of most affordable cities in B.C.

Ranking considered affordability, economies and growing power for the cities

Craigdarroch Castle. (Photo by Andrew Annuar/Courtesy Craigdarroch Castle)
Numerous Esquimalt residents can now build a detached accessory suite of up to 65 square metres in their backyard. (Township of Esquimalt)

Backyard suites now legal for some Esquimalt properties

One unit of up to 65 square metres now permitted for eligible residents

Numerous Esquimalt residents can now build a detached accessory suite of up to 65 square metres in their backyard. (Township of Esquimalt)
Between June 1 and 7, 168 net unconditional sales were made for properties in the VREB region. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria home sales slightly behind last June’s pace

Benchmark value of single-family home in Greater Victoria tops $1 million

Between June 1 and 7, 168 net unconditional sales were made for properties in the VREB region. (Black Press Media file photo)
John Anjo, founder/ director of Dwelltech, poses in front of his newest creation. The YOCTO is a 72 square foot tiny home with all the fixings. (Ronan O’Doherty/ The News)

VIDEO: Maple Ridge company builds remarkably tiny home

Dwelltech founder constructs 72 square foot home as passion project

John Anjo, founder/ director of Dwelltech, poses in front of his newest creation. The YOCTO is a 72 square foot tiny home with all the fixings. (Ronan O’Doherty/ The News)
The City of Victoria wants to develop downtown land it bought for almost $10 million last year into a mixed-use space that will include over 200 affordable housing units and a community centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Community centre, 220 affordable housing units planned for Victoria-owned downtown land

The city bought the property at 926 and 930 Pandora Ave. for almost $10 million last year

The City of Victoria wants to develop downtown land it bought for almost $10 million last year into a mixed-use space that will include over 200 affordable housing units and a community centre. (Black Press Media file photo)