affordable housing

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

WEB POLL: What’s the top problem for Victoria to tackle this year?

There are plenty of big issues to choose from

 

A condo project is shown in Langford, B.C., on October 22, 2021. The federal government has set aside billions of dollars to quickly build affordable housing across the country, but delays in construction suggest many of the projects approved for funding are missing their deadlines. The Rapid Housing Initiative is a federal program launched in 2020 that provides funding to cities and non-profit organizations to build affordable homes for vulnerable Canadians, including people experiencing homelessness. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Majority of affordable homes approved under federal program not yet constructed

Just 1,449 units have been completed, according to November document

 

The five-member Purdy family gather in one of two bedrooms they share in a house they rent with extended family in Kapolei, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. The family moved to Las Vegas in 2017 to escape Hawaii’s high cost of living and returned last year and share two bedrooms in a home they rent with extended family. Native Hawaiians, like the Purdys, who have been priced out of Hawaii are finding more affordable places to live in cities like Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

Native Hawaiians flock to Las Vegas for affordable living

The median price for a single-family home in Hawaii topped $900,000 during the pandemic

 

Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)

Under $80 difference between rent, mortgage prices in Kelowna the smallest in Canadian major cities

Shelter costs are just $78/month more as a homeowner

Shelter costs in Kelowna only differ by $78/month between renters and owners. (@khzny/Twitter)
B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Plans by the B.C. government to confiscate suspected proceeds of crime via “unexplained wealth orders” are drawing praise from an expert in financial compliance as a way to make life harder from criminals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WEB POLL: Will Eby’s new housing rules make a difference?

The new premier is trying to tackle the housing affordability crisis

  • Nov 25, 2022
B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Plans by the B.C. government to confiscate suspected proceeds of crime via “unexplained wealth orders” are drawing praise from an expert in financial compliance as a way to make life harder from criminals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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

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
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

Michael Marshall, 25, UBCO physics student living at the Vinyards. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
In 2022, the minimum living wage in Metro Vancouver increased to $24.08 per hour, the highest it’s been since first calculated in 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

New report estimates new living wage for Lower Mainland – and its higher than ever before

Metro Vancouver sees its highest living wage ever while Victoria has highest in the province

In 2022, the minimum living wage in Metro Vancouver increased to $24.08 per hour, the highest it’s been since first calculated in 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Kader says 35 per cent of young adults between 20 and 34 are living with at least one of their parents. (Submitted/UBC)

More adult children are living with their parents; new B.C. study to dive deep into dynamics

Umay Kader will interview 50 young adults between the ages of 25 and 34 and at least one of their parents

Kader says 35 per cent of young adults between 20 and 34 are living with at least one of their parents. (Submitted/UBC)
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay continues to take shape. When completed the project will house 12 families. Photo by Yana Dimitrova.

Habitat for Humanity survey reveals housing affordability as a top concern for Canadians

A new survey released Nov. 10 by Habitat for Humanity Canada finds…

The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay continues to take shape. When completed the project will house 12 families. Photo by Yana Dimitrova.
Homes under construction are seen in a new subdivision in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata, on Friday, July 30, 2021. First-time homebuyers in Canada are facing one of the toughest real estate markets in generations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Tips for first-time homebuyers as affordability in Canada continues to deteriorate

Home prices slowly beginning to improve, but overall affordability still down

Homes under construction are seen in a new subdivision in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata, on Friday, July 30, 2021. First-time homebuyers in Canada are facing one of the toughest real estate markets in generations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
(Black Press Media Creative)

Housing affordability to improve in 2023, with some regional disparities: Desjardins

Cost of the average house currently 67 per cent higher than what the average household can afford

(Black Press Media Creative)
Have an opinion you’d like to share? Submit letters to the editor through our website, via email or the postal service. (Black Press Media files)

LETTER: Voters need to question Maple Ridge candidates

Letter writer says councils have not addressed housing needs over the years

  • Sep 30, 2022
Have an opinion you’d like to share? Submit letters to the editor through our website, via email or the postal service. (Black Press Media files)
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before the Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, Tuesday, September 27, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Average home price 67 per cent higher than affordable level in August: PBO

National average home price reached a peak of $839,600 in February 2022

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before the Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, Tuesday, September 27, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
After several years of frantic price increases, the real estate market is cooling in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and across the region. (File photo)

OUR VIEW: Only some housing solutions can be found at local council tables

Civic leaders will need partners at provincial and federal levels to tackle the affordability crisis

  • Sep 18, 2022
After several years of frantic price increases, the real estate market is cooling in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and across the region. (File photo)
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)
FILE - A seaplane passes the downtown skyline while on approach to land on the harbour in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver drops below Toronto as most expensive Canadian city in 2022 world rankings

Vancouver 108th most expensive in the world, according to international survey

FILE - A seaplane passes the downtown skyline while on approach to land on the harbour in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Share your opinion via email, through our website or in a posted letter. (Black Press Media files)

LETTER: Maple Ridge needs different agency running homeless housing

Residents have no protections under B.C. tenancy laws if they signed certain agreement, writer says

  • Jul 2, 2022
Share your opinion via email, through our website or in a posted letter. (Black Press Media files)
Less than one percent of houses listed in B.C. cities as of the first week of May 2022 are priced below $200,000, according to real estate search portal Point2. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Needle in a haystack: Less than 1% of homes in B.C. cities listed below $200,000

Zero homes under $200,000 exist in nine B.C. cities, international real estate portal finds

Less than one percent of houses listed in B.C. cities as of the first week of May 2022 are priced below $200,000, according to real estate search portal Point2. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Have an opinion you’d like to share? Submit letters to the editor through our website, via email or the postal service. (Black Press Media files)

LETTER: Allowing more secondary suites would increase Maple Ridge’s rental stock

Prices would level off if more suites were available

  • May 22, 2022
Have an opinion you’d like to share? Submit letters to the editor through our website, via email or the postal service. (Black Press Media files)
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