Housing

For the federal Liberals, the growing discontent with the state of the housing market is becoming a political threat. A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

Blamed for affordability crisis, Liberals look to pivot on housing

Experts say the housing crisis poses a great risk to the incumbent government

For the federal Liberals, the growing discontent with the state of the housing market is becoming a political threat. A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward
Data from Rentals.ca and research firm Urbanation show, for the first time ever, average asking rents for purpose-built condominiums and apartments rose above $2,000. Metro Creative Graphics photo

Rent hit a new high in July as students prepped for school, buyers sidelined: report

July’s average asking rent in Canada hit $2,078, just shy of 9 per cent above same month last year

Data from Rentals.ca and research firm Urbanation show, for the first time ever, average asking rents for purpose-built condominiums and apartments rose above $2,000. Metro Creative Graphics photo
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in Vancouver Thursday (Aug. 10) annoucing 170 mixed-use homes and 80 shelter beds for the Downtown Eastside, said he is “cautiously optimistic” that the federal support will help support the provincial housing agenda, but acknowledged that B.C. needs to play catch up. (Flickr/Government of BC)

Building B.C.: Housing minister promises ‘ambitious plan’ for the fall

Ravi Kahlon is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that Ottawa will support provincial efforts

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in Vancouver Thursday (Aug. 10) annoucing 170 mixed-use homes and 80 shelter beds for the Downtown Eastside, said he is “cautiously optimistic” that the federal support will help support the provincial housing agenda, but acknowledged that B.C. needs to play catch up. (Flickr/Government of BC)
The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province plans to release B.C. major market housing targets shortly

Housing ministry staff working with first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing: Kahlon

The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)
<div>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously immigration minister. Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>

New housing minister says closing door on newcomers won’t solve housing crunch

‘The answer is, at least in part, to continue to build more stock’

<div>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously immigration minister. Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>
A new housing development is constructed in Toronto on May 15, 2023, THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canada’s housing starts make largest month-to-month jump in a decade

CMHC says rate of new construction in Vancouver in June was up 71 per cent from May

A new housing development is constructed in Toronto on May 15, 2023, THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
People shop in a grocery store in Montreal, Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The picture of how the economy fared in May will become a little clearer with a pair of reports from Statistics Canada this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week

Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the…

People shop in a grocery store in Montreal, Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The picture of how the economy fared in May will become a little clearer with a pair of reports from Statistics Canada this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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
This rental in Saanich is 300 square feet, but is going for the cost of a full one-bedroom apartment. (Screenshot/Craigslist)

‘Glorified shed’ renting at the full one-bedroom rate irks B.C. applicant

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
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)
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
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has announced Vancouver and Victoria among the 10 inaugural communities subject to new housing targets. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. hands down first set of housing targets to 10 communities

Kamloops, Greater Victoria, Abbotsford and parts of Lower Mainland on list

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)
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)