Housing

An advertising sign for building land stands in front of a new home construction site in Northbrook, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. From rising home prices to soaring interest rates, it’s a daunting time to be a home buyer. To achieve homeownership, some single buyers are trying a different approach: co-buying with friends or family members. But co-buying isn’t a short-term hack – it’s a lifestyle shift. Before you team up, experts recommend having vulnerable conversations about your finances and long-term goals. If you have patience to navigate the obstacles, co-buying can be a uniquely satisfying way to own a home. Plus, for those who are single, the investment comes with an inflation-proof dividend: companionship. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Co-buying a house: How platonic partners make it work

Co-buying requires extra planning and paperwork but some friends are making it work

An advertising sign for building land stands in front of a new home construction site in Northbrook, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. From rising home prices to soaring interest rates, it’s a daunting time to be a home buyer. To achieve homeownership, some single buyers are trying a different approach: co-buying with friends or family members. But co-buying isn’t a short-term hack – it’s a lifestyle shift. Before you team up, experts recommend having vulnerable conversations about your finances and long-term goals. If you have patience to navigate the obstacles, co-buying can be a uniquely satisfying way to own a home. Plus, for those who are single, the investment comes with an inflation-proof dividend: companionship. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Renting increased by three times the rate of home ownership in last decade: RBC

Millennials born between 1981 and 1996 are fuelling some of the renting growth

A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
October 13, 2022 - Alan Jackson photographed at his Nexus Modular Solutions offices and factory in Cobble Hill. Don Denton photo

The future is modular

Nexus Modular in place to meet housing shift

  • Dec 7, 2022
October 13, 2022 - Alan Jackson photographed at his Nexus Modular Solutions offices and factory in Cobble Hill. Don Denton photo
Wahmeesh Ken Watts, Tseshaht First Nation elected chief councillor, offers a prayer at the celebration of Sage Haven Society’s second stage housing project on Nov. 25 in the foyer at Port Alberni City Hall. To his left is Josie Osborne, Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA. On his right are Tracy Melis and Hareena Gillis. (HEATHER WARREN/ Alberni Valley News)

Sage Haven Society, BC Housing celebrate housing project in Port Alberni

Second-stage housing for women, children to be complete in summer 2023

  • Dec 6, 2022
Wahmeesh Ken Watts, Tseshaht First Nation elected chief councillor, offers a prayer at the celebration of Sage Haven Society’s second stage housing project on Nov. 25 in the foyer at Port Alberni City Hall. To his left is Josie Osborne, Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA. On his right are Tracy Melis and Hareena Gillis. (HEATHER WARREN/ Alberni Valley News)
Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver on November 30, 2022. British Columbia’s property assessment agency is warning homeowners that figures released next month will likely be higher than the current market value.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. property assessments higher, but market has changed: assessor

Homeowners warned they are about to receive assessments that won’t reflect current values

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver on November 30, 2022. British Columbia’s property assessment agency is warning homeowners that figures released next month will likely be higher than the current market value.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
In this image taken from video, Canadian law enforcement personnel surrounded a residence on the James Smith Cree First Nation reservation in Saskatchewan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, as they search for a suspect in a series of stabbings. The federal government is to spend $1.2 million to repair and replace houses damaged during the stabbings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Bumsted

Ottawa to spend $1.2 million to replace and repair homes after mass stabbing

Houses became crime scenes after 11 people died and 18 were injured

In this image taken from video, Canadian law enforcement personnel surrounded a residence on the James Smith Cree First Nation reservation in Saskatchewan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, as they search for a suspect in a series of stabbings. The federal government is to spend $1.2 million to repair and replace houses damaged during the stabbings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Bumsted
B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver, on Sunday, November 20, 2022. British Columbia’s Opposition Liberals are calling for independent audits of two social housing providers as the premier marks his first days in office laying out his vision to tackle the housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Opposition demands audits of B.C. housing providers as Eby lays out more home plans

Liberal leader Kevin Falcon independent review needed after says leaked reports show mismanagement

B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver, on Sunday, November 20, 2022. British Columbia’s Opposition Liberals are calling for independent audits of two social housing providers as the premier marks his first days in office laying out his vision to tackle the housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby to create new ministry solely devoted to B.C. housing crisis

Housing currently overseen by attorney general

FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver, on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Eby is expected to announce his government’s plans to take on the housing affordability crisis today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby to lay out plans to tackle housing affordability crisis

Eby was housing minister before running for premier

B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver, on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Eby is expected to announce his government’s plans to take on the housing affordability crisis today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
North Island College students now have more options to the traditional bulletin board, as the college has a new arrangement with a service, Places4Students, that helps find more homes for students. Photo supplied

New housing service connects North Island College students and homeowners

North Island College wants to help connect students with places to live…

North Island College students now have more options to the traditional bulletin board, as the college has a new arrangement with a service, Places4Students, that helps find more homes for students. Photo supplied
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)
A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, June, 12, 2018. The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in October were up 1.3 per cent from September, the first monthly gain since February. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

Canadian October home sales up from September, first monthly increase since February

Greater Vancouver was up six per cent, offset in part by a 2.4 per cent drop in Montreal

A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, June, 12, 2018. The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in October were up 1.3 per cent from September, the first monthly gain since February. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward
(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)
Royal Canadian Navy crew line up during a ceremony for the HMCS Regina at CFB Esquimalt in Esquimalt, B.C., Friday April 29, 2016. New figures from the Department of National Defence show thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families across the country are waiting for military housing.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Nearly 4,500 Canadian Armed Forces members, families waiting for military housing

Vancouver Island military families among those caught in the housing squeeze

Royal Canadian Navy crew line up during a ceremony for the HMCS Regina at CFB Esquimalt in Esquimalt, B.C., Friday April 29, 2016. New figures from the Department of National Defence show thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families across the country are waiting for military housing.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
M’akola Housing Society, through funding from BC Housing, will build a five storey affordable housing building at 603 Main Street in Penticton. (Rendering)

QUIZ: How much do you know about housing and homes?

In many communities, finding a place to buy or rent can be a challenge

M’akola Housing Society, through funding from BC Housing, will build a five storey affordable housing building at 603 Main Street in Penticton. (Rendering)
Tents are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park as the downtown skyline rises behind them in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. Housing anxiety in British Columbia encompasses young professionals who can’t raise enough cash for down payments, students and low-income families unable to afford rent and people in tents fearful they will die homeless, says Canada’s federal housing advocate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. posts Canada’s highest unaffordable housing rate, homeless fear death on streets

Canada’s federal housing advocate’s visit to B.C. left her convinced housing in Canada not working

Tents are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park as the downtown skyline rises behind them in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. Housing anxiety in British Columbia encompasses young professionals who can’t raise enough cash for down payments, students and low-income families unable to afford rent and people in tents fearful they will die homeless, says Canada’s federal housing advocate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park as the downtown skyline rises behind them in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. Housing anxiety in British Columbia encompasses young professionals who can’t raise enough cash for down payments, students and low-income families unable to afford rent and people in tents fearful they will die homeless, says Canada’s federal housing advocate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. posts highest rate of unaffordable housing as ownership declines across Canada

Canada’s homeownership rate fell to 66.5 per cent in 2021 from its peak at 69 per cent in 2011

Tents are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park as the downtown skyline rises behind them in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. Housing anxiety in British Columbia encompasses young professionals who can’t raise enough cash for down payments, students and low-income families unable to afford rent and people in tents fearful they will die homeless, says Canada’s federal housing advocate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Delegates at the 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Whistler considered several resolutions on housing Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)

UBCM calls for review of speculation tax, more control over short-term rentals

A Victoria resolution to explore vacancy control failed narrowly at annual municipal convention

Delegates at the 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Whistler considered several resolutions on housing Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Province takes aim at cost of living with 2% rent cap, increased tax benefits

75 per cent of B.C. families will receive larger financial boost, says finance minister

(Black Press Media Creative)
(Black Press Media Creative)

B.C. students struggle to find housing ahead of fall semester

BC Federation of Students says students are working multiple jobs, living in cramped conditions

(Black Press Media Creative)
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