Housing Issues of the Northwest -- 2022 Archive page

An Archive for 2022 of items related to Housing for the North West.


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BC Housing

Makola Housing


News on Housing

December

December 28 -- Province looking to speed up rental dispute resolutions 

December 27 -- Crisis at Coachman Apartments as water pipes burst amid freezing weather 

December 27 -- Man Dies in Terrace homeless encampment during extreme weather, prompting Coroners Service investigation 

December 21 -- Terrace Warming Station the Garage (video)

December 21 -- Young adults from government care receive first round of rent supplements 

December 18 -- BC Investing $15.6 million to speed up and strengthen the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution process 

December 16 -- Extreme Shelter Spaces open across the North as Temperatures predicted to plummet over the weekend

December 15 -- City 'backs it up a bit' on spot for Terrace tent city

December 12 -- Two million Canadians to benefit from low-income rent initiative 

December 12 -- Low-income renters across Canada can now apply for $500 one-time top up

December 9 -- MP Taylor Bachrach calls Smithers Housing situation dangerous and unsustainable, seeks location for new short-term shelter 

December 7 -- Housing Report spurs on more discussion on housing issues for Prince Rupert Council members  NCR

December 7 -- Local Art reflected in many portions of newly opened 26 unit Passive House in Witset

December 6 -- As Crane's Crossing opening gets closer, North Coast Transition Society looks to fill employment positions  NCR

December 5 -- Tax increase of more than eight percent in the offing for Terrace property owners 

December 5 -- City Council to receive Housing Needs Report tonight  NCR

December 4 -- Prince Rupert shelter open with 35 beds 

December 1 -- Signs of progress for 11th Avenue East housing plans  NCR

November

November 30 -- Northwest Housing Crisis (video)

November 30 -- Supportive homes in Burns Lake not yet sheltering 

November 29 -- Shelter from the cold (audio)

November 24 -- UBCM notes of 'unanswered questions' when it comes to Premier David Eby's housing plans NCR

November 24 -- Contract Awards make for some discussion for City Council Monday evening NCR

November 22 -- BC Government to create standalone Ministry of Housing

November 18 -- Call for Board Members for Cedar Village Elders/Seniors Residences  NCR

November 18 -- Light at the end of the tunnel for Terrace landslide victims 

November 17 -- Main Street Affordable housing proposal one step closer to reality 

November 17 -- Affordable housing project on Main Street drawn up

November 17 -- Two new construction projects to be given awards 

November 16 -- 14 Northern Municipalities share receive provincial funding boost in lieu of property taxes 

November 14 -- Northern BC home sales experience 44% decline in the past 12 months 

November 10 -- Digby Tower lights are on! But nobody is home ... yet NCR

November 9 -- Houston asks do you want your property taxes increased?

November 9 -- Northern BC home sales expected to dip by 9% in 2023

November 7 -- Up to the New Council to fill in the details on the Seal Cove Residential, Watson Island energy plans  NCR

November 5 -- Prince Rupert looking to sell land in Seal Cove for housing development 

November 4 -- Port Edward continues remedial work in preparation for Alder Avenue housing complex

November 3 -- Prince Rupert entering into agreement to sell land in order to build housing

November 3 -- City of Prince Rupert announces agreement on sale of Seal Cove land for housing  NCR

November 3 -- District of Port Edward set to move onto second phase of Alder Avenue plans NCR

November 2 -- Remains of demolished Agar Avenue house still at location 

October  

October 27 -- Council approves housing incentive plan for 2023  NCR

October 26 -- Ksan's Hall Street Shelter re-opens during daytime 

October 25 -- Next BC premier given tour of Terrace's social problems  

October 25 -- Applications for Housing Support through Youth Transitions Program available until November 1st  NCR

October 25 -- North Coast MLA speaks towards Rental Increases and Prince Rupert housing initiatives in Legislature session NCR

October 24 -- City Council to consider extension of Housing Incentives related to permit applications NCR

October 21 -- Muskeg is the foundation of housing development challenges in Prince Rupert

October 20 -- Smithers council's last meeting ties up loose ends 

October 19 -- Houston area real estate sales drop

October 15 -- Shelter advocates bring tent city to Terrace City hall 

October 14 -- Home sales in Northern BC have plummeted by 40% since September of 2021

October 14 -- Kitselas breaks ground on 40 new affordable housing units 

October 13 -- MLA David Eby closes out northwest NDP leadership tour with stop in Prince Rupert 

October 13 -- Province, Ottawa and Kitselas First Nation break ground on New 40 Unit on reserve rental housing development 

October 13 -- Average home sale price skyrockets in Smithers

October 13 -- Kitimat bucks norther home sale price increase trend 

October 13 -- City of Prince Rupert looks to expand Planning Office with call for applicants for a Managerial position NCR

October 12 -- Property sales drop in Terrace amid high prices

October 12 -- David Eby visits Kitimat and speaks on Housing (video)

October 12 -- Update on homeless shelter in Burns Lake

October 12 -- David Eby's Housing plans park some discussion among UBCM membership  NCR

October 7 -- Third Quarter Real Estate Report notes of fewer listings for Prince Rupert from this time last year average prince point at $450,221 NCR

October 6 -- Real Estate Sales Drop Significantly in the North, Prices remain relatively steady 

October 6 -- BC Northern Real Estate Board finds average prices for residential detached homes increase 

October 6 -- Housing top of mind for Smithers Council and Mayor candidates 

October 6 -- Prince Rupert Real Estate Numbers are out (video)

October 6 -- Prince Rupert puts out request for those interested in developing housing in the city 

October 6 -- City of Prince Rupert looks to move forward on housing initiatives with BC Bid call for Expressions of interest  NCR

October 4 -- Terrace shelter proposal leads to heated meeting (audio)

October 4 -- Protest at Terrace City Hall arises in response to petition

September

September 30 -- Terrace Council backtracks on support for homeless shelter move 

September 29 -- Election Forum Housing commentary should bring more questions NCR
September 29 -- Ksan Society to go ahead with Turning Points Shelter move which spurred a petition and counter protest at Terrace Council 

September 29 -- Ksan moving ahead with plan to move homeless shelter

September 28 -- David Eby announces major changes in BC's housing Policy 

September 28 -- Staffing shortages forcing hours reduction at Ksan Residence and Shelter

September 28 -- Staff shortages force shelter to cut hours 

September 27 -- Terrace City council cuts cameras, calls police amid homeless shelter debate

September 26 -- Ksan shelter move awaits word on renovation grant

September 16 -- Northern BC home sales experience 30% year over year decline in August

September 16 -- City of Terrace continues 'status quo' approach to homelessness

September 15 -- Remains of demolished house haven't been removed 

September 14 -- Lot cleared for downtown Terrace townhouse development 

September 13 -- Pond campaign marks anniversary of Fairview Container Port Opening, expands on election themes   NCR

September 13 -- Crane's Crossing Supportive Housing Facility edges closer to going into service   NCR

September 7 -- Town Council hears from the community about proposed new zoning by law, official community plan

September 6 -- Coast Mountain College classes resume in Prince Rupert, but housing remains a challenge for many students  NCR

September 2 -- Coast Mountain College Totem Raising adds to commitment on reconciliation and decolonization.  NCR

September 1 -- Condemned Agar Avenue house finally demolished 

August

August 31 -- Condemned Agar Avenue house partially destroyed by fire

August 18 -- New low-coast housing project makes progress 

August 11 -- Daajing Giids Council approves bylaw change to support proposed housing complex 

August 11 -- Groundbreaking for 44 unit housing development costing $17M plus in Kitimat

August 10 -- New Affordable Housing for Women and Children fleeing violence coming to Kitimat 
August 9 -- Two Terrace lots to be subdivided to eventually create more than 60 units of new housing 
August 9 -- Terrace City Staff instructed to look into suitable locations to designate homeless encampments while maintaining current response 
August 3 -- New Housing Development in Kitimat receives second permit, after COVID forced the project to the back burner last time 





July

July 27 -- Home sales in the North as lowest since pandemic boom but rices remain historically elevated

July 26 -- New supportive housing will help women leave violent situations 

July 26 -- Homeless advocate returns to the Bulkley Valley, sets up camp at Thyhee Lake

July 21 -- Fire destroys home at Thornhill trailer park

July 21 -- Terrace real estate sales dip as prices increase  

July 20 -- Prince Rupert's Housing issues makes for short narrative for David Eby's NDP leadership launch NCR

July 20 -- Real Estate sales dip for first half of year 

July 20 -- BC expanding speculation and vacancy tax

July 20 -- Homeless shelter in Burns Lake expected to complete phase 1 repairs by fall

July 15 -- Origin of Terrace homeless population confounds city council

July 12 -- Terrace Council receives homeless count (video)

July 12 -- Results of 2022 Terrace Homeless count and Survey revealed 

July 11 -- Northwest Housing market sees a small drop (video)

July 11 -- Home sales drop in Northwest BC, experts warn of high mortgage rates

July 11 -- BC NDP shake up Board for BC Housing with multiple replacements NCR

July 11 -- Housing Sales down in the North through June compared to last year, total value of sales remains the same

July 11 -- A new approach to homeless encampments (audio)

July 8 -- Queen Charlotte council considers bylaw amendments to allow more housing

July 8 -- Second Quarter Real Estate Report shows Smithers and Terrace one/two atop the regional sales listings. With Prince Rupert third with average home price of $465,674 to June  NCR
July 6 -- Greener Homes (video)
July 6 -- Cottonwood Manor remains key part of Houston Council's 'to do' list

June

June 30 -- Smithers supports Terrace citizen's greener homes campaign 

June 24 -- Proposal for homeless camp in Terrace (video)

June 23 -- Secure housing for women and children breaks ground in Terrace

June 23 -- New housing plans announced for Terrace area, will offer secure housing for women and children NCR

June 23 -- Terrace city hall proposed as site for overnight tent city 

June 21 -- City of Terrace to look into designated Overnight shelter space in response to rise in temporary encampments 

June 20 -- Prep work underway for demolition of existing McKay Street units, with new development on horizon  NCR

June 19 -- Smithers considered most affordable city to live according to Moving Waldo 

June 15 -- Fire impacts Terrace encampment by CN Railway tracks 

June 15 -- Northern BC Home sales decline in May as higher mortgage rates slow activity 

June 14 -- Positive Living North to provide supports at homeless camp near Veterans Park 

June 13 -- Study shows Smithers Housing market is cheapest in BC (video)

June 13 -- Sobering centre, complex-care housing coming to northern BC 

June 9 -- Groundbreaking scheduled for new housing project

June 2 -- BC Housing partners p with Uuikinuxv-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council to help improve housing

June 2 -- Housing Minister David Eby notes of challenges of communities like Prince Rupert in developing housing  NCR

June 1 -- Twelve prefabricated housing units to begin crossing Telkwa Bride June 2

May

May 31 -- Housing for the most vulnerable proposed for Terrace 
May 26 -- BC investing $164 million into construction of complex care housing units in Bella Coola

May 26 -- Foundation nears completion for new units at Telkwa Seniors Housing complex
May 26 -- Lot 14 and Mountainview Square Market Assessment explores uses for the area 

May 25 -- Study finds urban Indigenous people have unique housing needs

May 25 -- Northwest rental crush (video)

May 24 -- Support, administrative services to be implemented at Veteran Park for homeless community for the Summer  

May 20 -- People experiencing vulnerable housing to camp near Veterans Park

May 19 -- Smithers council to allow residents of Shelter Trailer in Veteran's Park to remain once trailer is removed 

May 18 -- Town to allow people to camp near Veteran's Park 
May 12 -- New Program puts design and construction of community homes back in the hands of the Nuxalk Nation 

May 12 -- Smithers council vote in favour of new mixed building 

May 12 -- Telkwa property owners to see rise in taxes
May 11 -- Terrace City Council adopts Municipal Tax Rates Bylaw, locks in rate for 2022
May 3 -- Kitimat Housing project looks to regain development permit after COVID forced cancellation
May 2 -- 12 new affordable housing units for Lower and Moderate income seniors coming to Telkwa
May 2 -- New Seniors housing on the way for Village of Telkwa

April 

April 29 -- Renoviction/Rental Bylaw gains fourth and final reading from Prince Rupert Council NCR

April 28 -- Port Edward ready to move forward with housing for Alder Avenue Subdivision NCR

April 26 -- Terrace Council Gives first three readings of Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw  

April 22 -- City puts more lots up for sale for development of housing  NCR

April 22 -- City's Reonviction/Rental Housing bylaw one step closer to adoption after half hour of back and forth over City Manager's Amendment recommendations  NCR

April 21 -- New building bylaw adopted in Smithers gives Town new regulatory means

April 21 -- Municipal Property Taxes in Smithers set to go up by 11.8% this year, Bylaw must still be adopted

April 13 -- Housing society in Houston holds open house 

April 13 -- Real estate sales dip in Houston for first part of year 

April 13 -- First Quarter real estate sales in Burns Lake on par with 2021

April 13 -- District of Kitimat council votes to keep flat tax rate with a 3.75 per cent increase this year 

April 12 -- District of Kitimat Council Opt to Keep Flat Tax, Impose 3.75% raise for 2022

April 11 -- Terrace homeless count begins tonight 

April 11 -- BC Northern Real Estate Board elects new president, directors

April 8 -- Northwest Housing Report  (video)

April 8 -- ANBT visitors gain first hand look at Prince Rupert's Accommodation crunch  NCR

April 7 -- Real Estate findings keep Terrace atop the Northwest market movement in first quarter of 2022. NCR

April 6 -- Home Sales remain hot in Smithers, Burns Lake

April 6 -- Newest senior housing six-flex nearing completion 

April 6 -- Veteran volunteer retires from housing society 

April 5 -- Residential Property Sales Totals in the North Remain Relatively Steady, Despite Drops in Units sold

April 2 -- Private island being listed for sale near Fort St. James

April 1 -- Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen explores housing themes in Legislature presentation NCR

April 1 -- Prince Rupert property developer 'shocked' at rezoning proposal 

March

March 31 -- Public Hearing complete, council sends Portage Avenue land rezoning to Ministry for review and approval  NCR

March 30 -- Village Heights master plan delivered to Village of Burns Lake council 

March 30 -- Council cites community feedback in decision to reject variance development request for home proposed for Atlin Avenue NCR

March 29 -- New affordable housing made available for members of the Heiltsuk Nation

March 29 -- Workshops to be held for Town of Smithers OCP Zoning bylaw review project 

March 28 -- Province strengthening protection for home buyers

March 28 -- Amendments to Property Law Act Seek to add protections for pressured homebuyers

March 28 -- Some Rooms with a view NCR

March 25 -- City provides a brief glimpse into Legacy Inc. workings and how they make use of dividends from it  NCR

March 24 -- Hundreds of Prince Rupert City-owned lots proposed for transfer to Legacy Inc. 

March 24 -- Land and lots of it ... City of Prince Rupert outlines plans to make property lots available through Legacy Inc.  NCR

March 23 -- Report on BC's housing crisis finds not enough of the 'right supply'

March 23 -- City of Prince Rupert  proposes land transfer to bring new homes to the community

March 21 -- Terrace outpaces Prince Rupert in new home construction in recent information report from Chartered Accountants  NCR

March 17 -- Municipal Affairs Minister Believes in community based approach to solving the housing crisis 

March 17 -- City's new Business Regulations Bylaw on rental housing will be complaint driven process NCR

March 15 -- Home sales across Northern BC come back down to earth in February

March 15 -- Prince Rupert council forwards development variance to public consultation

Mach 14 -- Smithers hopes  to get more rental housing through program policy

March 11 -- New Municipal affairs minister in talks with Terrace Council to address social issues

March 9 -- City of Terrace clears out squatters' camp near airport 

March 9 -- MLA Nathan Cullen calls new position as Municipal Affairs Minister a dream job

March 8 -- Port Edward March community update notes of progress on housing, roads NCR

March 5 -- Squatters' camp raided near Terrace airport

March 4 -- City Hall puts out call for proposals to conduct a Prince Rupert Housing Needs Report  NCR

March 4 -- Housing and the challenges for families and residents highlighted in Council Presentation NCR

March 1 -- Terrace issues development permit for Gazelle Avenue townhouse complex

February

February 28 -- Prince Rupert Housing Lot auctions (video)

February 28 -- Smithers real estate inventory hits historic low point

February 24 -- City of Prince Rupert lists lots for public sale

February 24 -- City to put nine properties up for bid in plan to spur on housing construction  NCR

February 23 -- Prince Rupert pts 9 city owned lots up for sale specifically to build housing 

February 22 -- Report finds no links between deaths and Indigenous Cultural Safety programming at Goodacre Place

February 22 -- Weekend article notes that BC Government is considering legislation over Municipal Housing Approvals  NCR

February 19 -- No link between deaths and Goodacre Place practices: BC Housing report

February 8 -- Bylaw receives third reading that will bring affordable rental units to Kitimat

February 4 -- MLA Rice updates on accommodation for Angus Apartment residents, hopeful of some short term relief on housing at Crane's Crossing by summer/fall NCR

February 3 -- New UNBC initiative provides expansive data and resources on Housing issues across Northern British Columbia  NCR

February 3 -- A glacial pace for City Council's much anticipated Renoviction Bylaw  NCR

February 3 -- What's behind increasing home values? (audio)

February 2 -- Housing report reveals RDBN in fairly good shape

February 2 -- A 2021 court case loss, just one note among a list of woe from Angus Apartments  NCR

February 1 -- District of Port Edward moves forward with Request for Quotations towards New Residential subdivision  NCR

February 1 -- Métis purchase land for Terrace housing project 

January

January 31 -- Metis Nation BC Purchases land in Terrace for Affordable Hosing and More

January 28 -- New information is available to help more BC communities with housing (audio)

January 27 -- City Council makes use of changed Provincial rules to move forward zoning application  NCR

January 25 -- Lax Kw'alaams video provides tutorial on housing plans as referendum process set to begin at end of January  NCR

January 20 -- Fewer houses to purchase; Higher prices to pay the them: themes for many Northwest communities in year end report from BCNREB  NCR

January 19 -- Property sales up drastically in the north

January 19 -- Senior Citizen housing construction continues in Houston

January 19 -- Houston Real estate sales climb in 2021

January 18 -- Bylaw to allow Kitimat Affordable Housing project to move forward receives third reading

January 12 -- Northwest Housing prices continue to rise (video)

January 12 -- Selling prices for northwest BC homes increasing as demand outpaces supply, says report

January 12 -- Terrace looking to set up warming centre

January 12 -- Big rise in Burns Lake home assessments

January 11 -- Real Estate Sales in North fall just short of record, but costs soar past

January 11 -- Housing prices continue to increase cross the Bulkley-Nechako region

January 11 -- Real estate prices continue to rise across northwest BC

January 11 -- Terrace real estate continues to climb

January 10 -- Northwest single-family home owners to expect higher property values

January 7 -- Smithers single family home values increase by 21% for 2022

January 6 -- As BC Assessment levels increase across Northwest BC, so too does BC Home Owner Grant Threshold number  NCR

January 5 -- Northwest Housing goes up (video)

January 5 -- Houston house assessments shoot up by 35 per cent

January 5 -- Ksan Society holding coldest night of the year walk in February

January 5 -- Small Town BC property values increase more than Vancouver

January 4 -- Property values rise 5-35%

January 4 -- Kitimat single family home values drop to $329,000 for 2022

January 4 -- Terrace single-family home values increased by 17% for 2022

January 4 -- BC Assessments for 2022 bring significant property assessment spikes for many homes ...  NCR

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