Housing

Logs are seen in an aerial view stacked at the Interfor sawmill, in Grand Forks, B.C., Saturday, May 12, 2018. An unexpected rebound in wood product prices this month is boosting profits for Canadian forestry companies but leaving homeowners and buyers with the prospect of higher home and renovation costs in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wood products pricing surge expected to persist, raising 2021 house, renovation costs

Lumber prices have added as much as $30K to the construction cost of a typical 2,500-square-foot house

 

Houses are seen in an aerial view, in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A company that supports hundreds of credit unions across Canada predicts British Columbia’s housing market will remain healthy through 2021 as the province moves out of its COVID-19 slump. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. housing market to remain vibrant through the new year: report

The report also forecasts a firmer rental market through 2022 as economic conditions normalize

 

Black Press Media file photo.

‘Please take my tenant!’ landlord posts to Used Victoria

Landlord will pay you damage, first month’s rent to take his tenant

 

On Nov. 16, Saanich council received the 2020 Housing Needs Report which provides a summary of the district’s housing market and the anticipated future needs of the municipality. (District of Saanich)

New report highlights need for diverse, affordable housing in Saanich

Saanich Housing Needs Report shows current supply doesn’t meet community needs

On Nov. 16, Saanich council received the 2020 Housing Needs Report which provides a summary of the district’s housing market and the anticipated future needs of the municipality. (District of Saanich)
A man walks past an affordable housing complex, being constructed in Charlottetown’s Hillsborough Park area, on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Seven provinces have signed on to a federal rent assistance program created as part of the national housing strategy, three more than the Liberals have announced, newly released documents show. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

More provinces sign up for rent benefit as Liberals set up promised housing council

Indigenous housing providers are pushing for the government to finally unveil a plan

A man walks past an affordable housing complex, being constructed in Charlottetown’s Hillsborough Park area, on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Seven provinces have signed on to a federal rent assistance program created as part of the national housing strategy, three more than the Liberals have announced, newly released documents show. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Houses under construction in Toronto on Friday, June 26, 2015. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts increased in October. The national housing agency says the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts rose to 214,875 units last month compared with 208,715 in September. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

CMHC says annual pace of housing starts climbed higher in October

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts rose to 214,875 units last month

Houses under construction in Toronto on Friday, June 26, 2015. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts increased in October. The national housing agency says the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts rose to 214,875 units last month compared with 208,715 in September. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Getting more people out of tents and into indoor housing before the worst of the fall and winter weather hits will be key for making the most of federal Rapid Housing Initiative funding allocated for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Clock starts ticking for use of federal housing funds in Greater Victoria

CRD staff have until Nov. 27 to submit capital project plan to federal housing body

Getting more people out of tents and into indoor housing before the worst of the fall and winter weather hits will be key for making the most of federal Rapid Housing Initiative funding allocated for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)

Housing, homelessness and affordability top concerns in Greater Victoria: Vital Signs report

2020 report sees drop in ratings for housing, newcomer opportunities

In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria City Council approved two new affordable housing developments during its Oct. 22 council meeting. (Courtesy of Victoria City Council)

Victoria approves 72 new affordable housing units

Council approved new developments at 736 Princess Ave. and 330 Michigan St.

Victoria City Council approved two new affordable housing developments during its Oct. 22 council meeting. (Courtesy of Victoria City Council)
The M’akola Housing Society is looking to build two new residences in Sooke to help provide affordable accommodation for local Indigenous people. The projects were granted nearly $1.1 million toward their construction through the Regional Housing Trust Fund. (Photo courtesy M’Akola Housing Society)

Regional Housing First Program strikes another chord in Greater Victoria

Affordable housing partnership grants will help house over 100 people on income assistance

The M’akola Housing Society is looking to build two new residences in Sooke to help provide affordable accommodation for local Indigenous people. The projects were granted nearly $1.1 million toward their construction through the Regional Housing Trust Fund. (Photo courtesy M’Akola Housing Society)
The construction of garden suites in Saanich backyards is now officially legal in the District of Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Garden suites get final approval from Saanich council

Backyard detached housing units expected to increase affordability options in the district

The construction of garden suites in Saanich backyards is now officially legal in the District of Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
The owners of Island Outfitters took to social media to share photos of the damage a month after a fire ravaged the store in January. (Island Outfitters/Facebook)

Housing complex planned for former Island Outfitters property in Saanich core

Store founders, local development company partner to reimagine fire-damaged property

The owners of Island Outfitters took to social media to share photos of the damage a month after a fire ravaged the store in January. (Island Outfitters/Facebook)
CMHC president Evan Siddall speaks to the Canadian Club of Toronto in Toronto on June 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

New tools, ideas needed to speed up housing strategy funding, CMHC president says

The COVID-19 pandemic has made housing affordability an even bigger issue

CMHC president Evan Siddall speaks to the Canadian Club of Toronto in Toronto on June 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Saanich’s newly appointed Housing Strategy task force will begin developing the municipality’s new approach to housing issues on Sept. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Housing Strategy task force to start tackling the issue this month

Task force hopes to meet more than seven times before new year hits

Saanich’s newly appointed Housing Strategy task force will begin developing the municipality’s new approach to housing issues on Sept. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
One of the 2019 contestants in the Gingerbread Showcase, which had the theme Building a Diverse Community. Funds raised from this annual event go to Habitat for Humanity Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Bakers invited to whip up some ‘Coastal Living’ for the latest Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase

Organizers set for in-person and online viewing come November

One of the 2019 contestants in the Gingerbread Showcase, which had the theme Building a Diverse Community. Funds raised from this annual event go to Habitat for Humanity Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
The province purchased a property on Yates Street to build permanent supportive homes. (Google Maps)

Yates Street property purchased for up to 40 units of supportive housing

Victoria project will be one of 480 homes for homeless in development across CRD

The province purchased a property on Yates Street to build permanent supportive homes. (Google Maps)
Tenants of a new Langford development were unable to move in on schedule due to a setback in the developer obtaining an occupancy permit from the City of Langford. (Randi Battersby/Black Press Media)

No occupancy permit for Langford build on move-in day

Delays with occupancy permit force apartment building tenants into a hotel

Tenants of a new Langford development were unable to move in on schedule due to a setback in the developer obtaining an occupancy permit from the City of Langford. (Randi Battersby/Black Press Media)
Province buys downtown Victoria lots for supportive housing

Province buys downtown Victoria lots for supportive housing

50 new permanent homes proposed for Harris Green properties

Province buys downtown Victoria lots for supportive housing
Saanich council members met with representatives from the University of Victoria and Camosu College for a preliminary discussion regarding off-campus student behaviour. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich starts talks with UVic, Camosun over concerns about off-campus student housing

Council looks solve parking, rental issues raised at public hearing on unrelated occupancy

Saanich council members met with representatives from the University of Victoria and Camosu College for a preliminary discussion regarding off-campus student behaviour. (Black Press Media file photo)
On Monday, Aug. 17, Saanich council will review a long-awaited study outlining the necessary bylaw amendments to legalize garden suites in the municipality. (Photo via the District of Saanich)

Saanich council to dig into long-awaited garden suite study

Detached suites keep families close, provide financial flexibility, mayor says

On Monday, Aug. 17, Saanich council will review a long-awaited study outlining the necessary bylaw amendments to legalize garden suites in the municipality. (Photo via the District of Saanich)