Tag: housing

Many initiatives in B.C. housing plan already at play in Kelowna, planning director says – Kelowna News

The City of Kelowna’s planning director says many of the initiatives laid out in the B.C. government’s recently announced multi-billion dollar housing plan are already in play in the city.

On Monday, the provincial government announced its Homes for People plan, which commits $4 billion over three years and $12 billion over a decade with incentives to build, laws to curb speculation and financial help for renters and homeowners.

Part of the province’s plan looks to spur the development of more townhomes, duplexes and triplexes through zoning changes.

Ryan Smith, divisional director of planning and development services, said the plan is largely a “repackaging” of measures the province had already committed to, along with “things that we’re already doing in Kelowna — and encouraged the government to do.”

“Suites and carriage houses have been permitted since the early 2000’s. The pre-zoning for missing middle [housing] is

… Read More Continue reading

‘Holding back our entire economy’: B.C. lays out housing plan, warns house-flipping tax imminent

The provincial government has introduced a multibillion-dollar, four-point housing plan aimed at cracking down on soaring real estate prices, increasing construction and creating more rental units.

Premier David Eby, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and State of Child Care Minister Grace Lore revealed the ‘Homes for People’ plan on Monday. It promises legislation that allows up to four units on a single traditional housing lot, and warns that a tax on the proceeds of house-flipping is coming.

“It has become a crisis for too many people, for example, in their 20s and 30s who are still living with their parents,” said Eby. “Even people making a good income are struggling to find a place to live.

“It’s holding back our entire economy. Businesses are struggling to attract workers who can’t afford to live in the communities where the jobs are.”

… Read More Continue reading

B.C. to introduce house-flipping tax and expand secondary suites under new multi-billion dollar housing plan

The British Columbia government has introduced a multibillion-dollar plan to construct more homes as quickly as possible in an attempt to build its way out of the housing crisis.

The so-called Homes for People plan starts with a $4-billion investment over three years and commits to $12 billion over a decade with incentives to build, laws to curb speculation and financial help for renters and homeowners.

“This crisis is touching people in every corner of our province. It’s impacting quality of life in our communities and it’s holding back our entire economy,” Premier David Eby said.

“Businesses are struggling to attract workers who can’t afford to live in the communities where the jobs are.”

As part of the plan, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the government will introduce provincial legislation this fall to allow three to four units on a traditional single-family detached lot with additional density permitted in areas

… Read More Continue reading

BC reveals plan to develop over 100,000 new homes to help ease housing crisis

The Province’s new housing plan will speed up delivery of new homes, increase the supply of middle-income housing, fight speculation and help those who need it the most. Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28486

The province of BC has announced the introduction of a new Homes for People plan that will create more than 108,000 new houses and apartments by 2028.

Premier David Eby and Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon announced the new action plan on Monday, April 3rd.

“This plan will take us to the next level with unprecedented actions to tackle the challenges head-on, delivering even more homes for people, faster,” Eby said.

The Homes for People plan is set to focus on four priorities – unlocking more homes faster; delivering better, more affordable homes; helping those with the greatest housing need; and creating a housing market for people, not speculators.

In addition to creating tougher enforcement of short-term rental rules,

… Read More Continue reading

Peel Basin redevelopment: New housing and possible REM station

After years of debate, The City of Montreal unveiled on Wednesday its new plan for the Peel Basin, which includes thousands of new apartments and the possibility of another REM station.

Right now, the area on the banks of the Lachine Canal is mostly industrial or in disrepair. Housing groups say the redevelopment is badly needed.

“The need for social housing in Pointe-St-Charles is skyrocketing. We have more than 50 families per month that come here,” said Francis Dolan, an organizer with Regroupment Information Logement in Pointe-St-Charles.

The future of the Bridge-Bonaventure district has long been debated and was once explored as a site for a baseball stadium.

Now, Montreal wants to move forward with a housing project with 7,600 units.

A rendering of Montreal’s plan for the Bridge-Bonaventure sector (Source: CNW Group/City of Montreal – Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee)

At least 1,100 units would be

… Read More Continue reading

Federal study won’t delay Greenbelt housing plans, Ford says

VAUGHAN, Ont. — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says an environmental study the federal government is reportedly planning on launching shouldn’t slow down work to develop housing on lands the province recently removed from the Greenbelt.

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has previously voiced concerns about Ford removing about 7,400 acres from 15 different areas in the protected Greenbelt lands, while adding more parcels elsewhere, in order to build 50,000 homes.

The Toronto Star reports today that Guilbeault is set to announce he is launching a study to assess the biodiversity, ecological connectivity and other natural features in Rouge National Urban Park, which is next to part of the Greenbelt lands earmarked for housing.

Ford says he was not given a head’s up on the announcement by Guilbeault’s office, but he is “not too concerned about it” because the park is adjacent to land set to be developed, not part of

… Read More Continue reading