BC Housing

Premier Eby Wednesday said B.C. faces a housing crisis in response to questions about concerns from the opposition that his government is rushing through legislation, while promising improvements in the management of the legislature. Wednesday afternoon, Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon limited debate on Bill 44, much to the chagrin of the opposition. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. government cuts debate short, passes major new housing bill

Opposition laments lack of time to debate bill, but Premier Eby says B.C. is an housing crisis

 

Premier David Eby stands beside the new UVic residence that has provided hundreds of students with housing since it opened in September. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

New UVic residence provides housing to hundreds of students

The complex that opened in September is an affordable option in the local rental market

 

Victoria rents are not immune from the rising housing costs that have been occurring across the country. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

New study challenges assumptions that Airbnb greatly impacts Canadian rents

A Conference Board of Canada study says that Airbnb activity has little impact on rent prices

 

Courtney Collins’ cat named Kitten grew stressed during the period when they were unsure where they would end up. (Courtesy of Courtney Collins)

‘Pretty much screwed’: Saanich tenant slams lack of pet-friendly rentals

Pet clauses are banned in Ontario, but landlords in B.C. can prohibit pets in their rental units

Courtney Collins’ cat named Kitten grew stressed during the period when they were unsure where they would end up. (Courtesy of Courtney Collins)
Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien speaks at a press conference announcing the opening of 87 affordable housing units at 364 Moilliet St. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

87-unit affordable rental home development now open in Parksville

Residents have already started to move in

Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien speaks at a press conference announcing the opening of 87 affordable housing units at 364 Moilliet St. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
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)
Two people died following a fire on April 11, 2022 at the Winters Hotel in Vancouver. Atira Women’s Resource Society is among the parties targeted by a proposed class action lawsuit by former residents of the rooming house. Some 500 workers at the society have now joined BCGEU, a move that promises to improve safety for residents and workers. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

500 Atira workers unionize to improve the safety of residents, workers

It comes weeks after an independent audit into the society was released

Two people died following a fire on April 11, 2022 at the Winters Hotel in Vancouver. Atira Women’s Resource Society is among the parties targeted by a proposed class action lawsuit by former residents of the rooming house. Some 500 workers at the society have now joined BCGEU, a move that promises to improve safety for residents and workers. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Atira Women’s Resource Society says it has named a new interim CEO after former head Janice Abbott stepped down amid a conflict-of-interest controversy involving her husband, former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay. Abbott is seen speaking in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Lauren Collins file photo)

B.C. housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO

Atira says its new CEO Catherine Roome is an experienced leader in both the public and private sectors

The Atira Women’s Resource Society says it has named a new interim CEO after former head Janice Abbott stepped down amid a conflict-of-interest controversy involving her husband, former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay. Abbott is seen speaking in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Lauren Collins file photo)
Janice Abbott has resigned as Atira Women’s Resource Society. (Lauren Collins file photo)

Province, Atira look to restoring public confidence after CEO Janice Abbott resigns

Premier David Eby has welcomed Abbott’s resignation in the wake of BC Housing conflict controversy

Janice Abbott has resigned as Atira Women’s Resource Society. (Lauren Collins file photo)
Forest Minister Bruce Ralston said he recused himself from all meetings on Atira, BC Housing's largest contractor. His wife Miriam Sobrino serves on the board of Atira, which has challenged the findings of a forensic audit, which found multiple conflicts-of-interest by former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay involving Atira, headed by Ramsay's wife Janice Abbott. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Minister’s wife serves on board of non-profit organization at centre of BC Housing controversy

Forest Minister Bruce Ralston says he recused himself from meetings involving Atira

Forest Minister Bruce Ralston said he recused himself from all meetings on Atira, BC Housing's largest contractor. His wife Miriam Sobrino serves on the board of Atira, which has challenged the findings of a forensic audit, which found multiple conflicts-of-interest by former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay involving Atira, headed by Ramsay's wife Janice Abbott. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon called for changes in the leadership of Atira, the affordable housing provider at the centre of the BC Housing conflict-of-interest scandal, while continue to face tough questions from BC United. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Atira challenges accuracy of conflict-of-interest investigation into BC Housing

Opposition continues attack on Premier David Eby while government calls for changes at Atira

B.C. Minister of Housing and Government House Leader Ravi Kahlon called for changes in the leadership of Atira, the affordable housing provider at the centre of the BC Housing conflict-of-interest scandal, while continue to face tough questions from BC United. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
B.C. Premier David Eby said government is taking serious the recommendations following the release of a forensic audit into BC Housing. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Ex-CEO of BC Housing called out for conflict of interest involving wife: report

Audit finds Atira Womens Resource Society received about $35 million more than other providers

B.C. Premier David Eby said government is taking serious the recommendations following the release of a forensic audit into BC Housing. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock outside two 11-unit purpose-built rental buildings on Richmond Road near Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Saanich endorses zone allowing small apartment buildings on single-family lots

Staff report indicates district needs more than 1,200 new bachelor, one-bedroom units by 2025

Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock outside two 11-unit purpose-built rental buildings on Richmond Road near Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Vincent Tong, who has been acting CEO since September 2022, was officially announced in his new, permanent role April 27, 2023. (BC Housing)

BC Housing gets new, permanent CEO

Vincent Tong has been acting CEO since September 2022

Vincent Tong, who has been acting CEO since September 2022, was officially announced in his new, permanent role April 27, 2023. (BC Housing)
B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

BC Liberals call on government to immediately release forensic audit of BC Housing

Ministry of Housing has received the full report, but did not give a release date

B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
A rendering of Abstract Development’s three storey, 25-unit residential project near Swan Lake in Saanich. (Courtesy Abstract Developments)

Saanich council passes controversial Swan Lake townhouses in narrow vote

Abstract Developments’ 25-unit residential project at 3977 Rainbow Street gets green light

A rendering of Abstract Development’s three storey, 25-unit residential project near Swan Lake in Saanich. (Courtesy Abstract Developments)
Coachman Apartments tenant Vivian Wright shows black mould covering the ceiling of her shower. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/terrace Standard)

Mould endangers 60 tenants of rundown B.C. building: BCCDC report

BC Centre for Disease Control finds dilapidated northwest B.C. building unsafe to live in

Coachman Apartments tenant Vivian Wright shows black mould covering the ceiling of her shower. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/terrace Standard)
Pastor Matthew Fox has been passionate about Lego since first discovering the block building toys as a young child. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror

Mr. Gold: Black Creek father of seven’s prized Lego piece valued at $7,000

Pastor Matthew Fox first got involved in Lego investment around 2007

Pastor Matthew Fox has been passionate about Lego since first discovering the block building toys as a young child. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror
Premier David Eby has announced a new streamlined process to speed up housing developments in British Columbia. (Screencap)

B.C. to overhaul approval process for building houses in hopes of increasing supply

Eby made the announcement Monday morning in Vancouver.

Premier David Eby has announced a new streamlined process to speed up housing developments in British Columbia. (Screencap)
Threshold Housing Society executive director Colin Tessier (from left); Sara Neely, director of philanthropic services for the Victoria Foundation; and Cody McMullin, investment counsellor with RBC Phillips Hager & North Investment Counsel, announce a $3.1 million donation to Threshold Housing Society at its supportive recovery program. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Victoria’s Threshold Housing Society receives $3.1M gift

The donation from Clint and Carole Forster is the largest Threshold has ever received

Threshold Housing Society executive director Colin Tessier (from left); Sara Neely, director of philanthropic services for the Victoria Foundation; and Cody McMullin, investment counsellor with RBC Phillips Hager & North Investment Counsel, announce a $3.1 million donation to Threshold Housing Society at its supportive recovery program. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)