Housing Issues of the Northwest -- 2023 Archive page

An Archive for 2023 of items related to Housing for the North West.


Housing Resources

BC Housing

Makola Housing


News on Housing

December

December 14 -- City Council moves Drake Crescent Townhome's plans to Public Notification towards Public Hearing  NCR

December 11 -- Drake Crescent Housing returns to the forefront, as Pacific Aurora Construction seeks variances for property in question NCR

December 1 -- As Fall session comes to an end, NDP government take victory lap on string of housing initiatives announced  NCR

November

November 15 -- Terrace gains notice for Industrial/Residential and Commercial investment opportunity in 2024 NCR

November 14 -- First sign for potential Seal Cove Housing on the Agenda for tonight's City Council session NCR

November 2 -- More Provincial moves announced to encourage housing in BC NCR

October

October 27 -- Short Term rental legislation from the Province welcomed by Mayor Pond NCR

October 26 -- Skeena MLA speaks in support of BC United amendments to BC Government's Short Term rental Legislation NCR

October 26 -- As regional housing plans percolate Metlakatla seeks members for Housing committee NCR

October 23 -- Gtxaala Nation gets to work on Kootenay Avenue Housing project  NCR

October 20 -- Construction begins on new affordable rental townhouse complex for Gitxaala Nation members in Prince Rupert 

October 19 -- Terrace home sales drop, but selling price goes up

October 18 -- Real Estate sales drop in Houston and Burns Lake  

October 18 -- Skeena MLA Ellis Ross raises Homelessness issues of Terrace, Smithers and Prince Rupert in the Legislature NCR

October 17 -- Province to take action towards short term rentals to increase access to housing for many communities in BC NCR

October 16 -- Housing Acceleration Action Plan fuels City of Prince Rupert ambitions towards accessing Federal Funding  NCR

October 15 -- Survey finds women far out number men among Kitimat homeless 

October 13 -- Prince Rupert adopts Housing Acceleration Action Plan in tandem with Federal Funding application 

October 13 -- City take another run towards East side apartment plans NCR

October 13 -- Lax Kw'alaams officials and guests cut the ribbon or much anticipated project on 11th Avenue East NCR

October 12 -- Lax Kw'alaams breaks ground on 70 unit affordable housing development 

October 12 -- Hays Cove and Frederick Street housing project back on the table at City Hall 

October 12 -- Lax Kw'alaams Band Holding Celebration today to welcome the start of construction on a new 70 unit Housing Complex

October 11 -- Terrace Homeless population rising (video)

October 11 -- Homeless count soars this year 

October 11 -- Property taxes in Houston remain outstanding 

October 11 -- Roundabout to replace 2nd Avenue and McBride intersection in Prince Rupert 

October 11 -- New Roundabout coming to Prince Rupert could inadvertently lead to the development of Affordable Housing  

October 11 -- Province to move forward with Roundabout project and potential Housing plans for Second Avenue West and McBride NCR

October 10 -- Homelessness on the rise across the Northwest inf first census since 2021

October 10 -- Terrace among 17 communities taking part in Provincial Pilot to digitize the Housing Development application process 

October 10 -- Trio of Housing projects brings 15 units for Indigenous Women and Children in the Village of Sik-e-Dakh

October 10 -- Housing themes a focus for segments of tonight's Prince Rupert Council Session NCR

October 6 -- Homeless count survey shows increase of those in Prince Rupert looking for a place to live NCR
October 5 -- Smither's homeless population has nearly doubled in two years 

October 5 -- Provincial Homeless counts challenge public beliefs that unhoused residents are being shipped between communities 
October 4 -- Plans for BC Housing project 

September

September 29 -- Lax Kw'alaams Band sets date for official 'Ground Breaking' for 11th Avenue East apartment building NCR

September 28 -- Affordable housing complex in Hazelton coming along 

September 28 -- Smithers mill kicks in $100K for Indigenous housing project 

September 28 -- Province of BC sets housing targets for ten communities, 10 more to be announced this fall  NCR
September 27 -- REDIP fund for Village Heights in Burns Lake 

September 27 -- Supportive housing in Burns Lake to be complete by the fall of 2024

September 20 -- District enforces length of stay rule at Bymac Park

September 18 -- Independent Contractors President believes civic, provincial leaders should step up to address housing crisis 
September 14 -- City of Terrace seeking volunteers to help solve housing woes 

September 11 -- District of Kitimat rejects controversial housing density proposal in Strawberry Meadows 

September 11 -- Rent increases in BC to be capped at 3.5% in 2024


August 

August 31 -- Smithers to end Permissive Tax Exemption Program 

August 30 -- Rupert Rental Market (video)

August 30 -- Housing sales across Northern BC expected to lag for remainder of 2023

August 29 -- Average cost for a rental unit in Prince Rupert over $3,000 per month 

August 23 -- Smithers organizations to lose permissive tax exemptions 

August 11 -- Smithers supportive housing development project canned  

August 11 -- Little movement yet on City's Building demolition orders of July NCR

August 10 -- Active home listings in Northern BC experience 13% rise since July of 2022

August 10 -- $26.3 million youth and senior housing project set to begin in Terrace 
August 9 -- Smithers hotel no longer for consideration to become supportive housing 
August 2 -- Way back Wednesday - house prices in Burns Lake in 1973

August 2 -- Housing, health prominent part of District of Houston's strategic plan

August 2 -- Northwest BC's population grows by more than usual, but so to does the average cost of housing in the region 

August 2 -- Tenancy troubles resolved, but Prince Rupert senior still left frustrated 

July

July 27 -- Terrace braces for possible 7.34% property tax hike in 2024

July 20 -- Quarter over Quarter housing sales rise in Northern BC for first time since start of last year 

July 19 -- Real estate sales and prices drop compared to 2022

July 17 -- Mid point for 2023 finds mixed results for Northwest realty with Terrace housing prices on the rise, Prince Rupert lower than 2022 levels NCR

July 14 -- Northwest Housing numbers (video)

July 13 -- Bulkley Valley and Lakes District see decline in housing sales 

July 6 -- Hazelton Housing (video)

July 6 -- Construction begins on new housing units in Hazelton 

July 5 -- Complex Care Housing for Terrace (video)

July 5 -- Proposal to rezone former Capri Motor Inn in Smithers to allow for supportive housing receives first two readings from Council  

July 4 -- Opposition arises to BC Housing's Smithers purchase of motel 

July 4 -- New complex care housing and services coming to Terrace 

July 4 -- Complex care sets up in Terrace

June

June 27 -- Capri Motor Inn slated to turn into supportive housing 

June 22 -- Encampment catches fire near Substation road in Terrace 

June 21 -- Burns Lake restaurateurs newest venture to address housing heeds in community 

June 14 -- Northern BC home sales experience noticeable surge in May

June 13 -- Rezoning amendment to allow for 40 Unit Housing development in Prince Rupert stays alive, despite public concerns 

June 8 -- Ksan Society provides updates on Measures taken at Joe's Place to keep clients, staff and neighbours safe 

June 6 -- City of Prince Rupert, rest of Northwest BC stay off BC Housing Minister Khalon's naughty list for now NCR

May

May 25 -- Prince Rupert Council give first and second reading to Bylaw amendment which would allow 40 unit housing development to go ahead

May 24 -- Town land near Chandler Park no longer in consideration for temporary overnight sheltering 

May 12 -- Housing affordability indicator report shows wide range of prices in Northern BC

May 12 -- District of Kitimat adopts Municipal Property Tax Rates for 2023

May 12 -- BC Northern Real Estate Board reports worse affordability indicator and higher housing prices  

May 11 -- Smithers Real Estate Slowing Down (video)

May 11 -- Hays Cove Apartment plans head to statutory notification with not a mention from Council members on Monday Night   NCR

May 11 -- North housing Sales in First Quarter of 2023 nearly half of those in 2022

May 10 -- Smithers property taxes increasing by over 5%

May 10 -- Northern flexibilities needed in ALR process 

May 9 -- New audit into BC Housing find significant conflict of interest and mismanagement by the Corporation 

May 9 -- Digby Tower provides for its price point, as marketing for Prince Rupert's newest residential apartment option begins   NCR

May 9 -- Terrace officially sees highest tax increase, alongside a 2022 surplus 

May 9 -- Prince Rupert finalizes 2023 Property tax increase and Financial plan, introduces new Borrowing Bylaw  

May 8 -- Apartment building proposal for Frederick and Hays Cove to be revealed at tonight's Council Session NCR

May 8 -- Northern BC projected to hit its lowest home sale mark in two decades 

May 4 -- Home sales in the BC Northern region declined  

May 3 -- Houston Council passes bylaw to increase municipal taxes by four percent

May 3 -- Smithers still undecided on an encampment location 

May 3 -- Real estate sales dip in Houston and area

May 3 -- COVID, rising costs pointed at towards delay of construction for Lax Kw'alaams led 11th Avenue East housing complex  NCR

May 1 -- Smithers Municipal property tax rate to go up 5.2% in 2023, in contrast to initial 8.7 percent forecast 

April

April 28 --  Provincial government offers hope to Terrace displaced (video)

April 28 -- Province buys property to house displaced tenants in Terrace 

April 28 -- Province buys former Terrace motel to house displaced apartment tenants 

April 27 -- Terrace RCMP reports increased calls at relocated Ksan homeless shelter 

April 26 -- Property taxes expected to rise over 5% in Smithers 

April 26 -- Bella Coola and area residents facing average 61.9% property tax increase 

April 25 -- Families already moving into new housing project in Terrace 

April 24 -- First Quarter Results for Northwest Real Estate released by BCNREB, sales volumes decline continues; but media sales results in Prince Rupert on the rise  NCR

April 21 -- Housing sales continue to trend downwards 

April 19 -- Council welcomes homeless shelter move to Southside 

April 19 -- Ksan Society's former turning points shelter get a new name as the move to Tetrault Street wraps up

April 19 -- Terrace's Coachman Apartments topic of housing discussion in Legislature Tuesday NCR

April 18 -- City Manager Buchan explorer range of themes from UBCM housing Forum: notes of items of interest, consequence for Prince Rupert without more housing NCR

April 18 -- Skeena MLA Ellis Ross continues calls for answers on BC Housing spending NCR

April 17 -- Smithers council struggles with parks bylaw 

April 17 -- Housing sales in Northern BC see 39% decline in the past year 

April 13 -- Affordable housing project on Main Street gets green light for less Parking

April 8 -- New women's shelter in Kitimat with 44 units set to open 2024

April 5 -- Skeena MLA Ross speaks towards rental relief as NDP's Housing Plans dominate Tuesday's Question Period  NCR

April 5 -- Housing and encampments: Does the approach by Seattle hold promise for BC? (audio)

April 4 -- Two Day UBCM Housing Summit underway in Vancouver  NCR

April 4 -- Province looks to speed up building of homes, with single home lots to see change to increase allowed housing NCR
April 4 -- BC's Housing Strategy: Minister Ravi Khalon talks housing and encampments (audio)

April 3 -- Health Minister Adrian Dix responds to Skeena Valley Seniors Society letter 

April 3 -- Province unveils new housing action plan, expects 108,000 new homes by 2027-28

March

March 28 -- Smithers affordable housing project stalled (video)
March 28 -- Possible parks bylaw changes irks residents 

March 28 -- Smithers considering revamped sheltering bylaw (audio)
March 24 -- Smithers looking for feedback on temporary sheltering locations 

March 23 -- Council questions lease for affordable housing project 

March 23 -- City of Prince Rupert Looking at proposed 15.7% tax increase according to 2023-2027 draft budget 

March 14 -- Active listing in Northern BC experience 47% spike in last 12 months 

March 13 -- Seniors Society rally against old Seven Sisters demolition 

March 3 -- Terrace sees little community feedback amid highest tax increase to date 

March 3 -- Town seeking public comment on changes to parks bylaw



February 

February 26 -- New Southside homeless shelter Renos nearly complete 

February 17 -- Skeena MLA asks province to buy rundown Terrace building 

February 17 -- Mould a health risk to tenants of rundown Terrace building 
February 14 -- Is Northern BC becoming a more balanced housing market?

February 9 -- Ksan Society prepares for this year's charity walk 

February 7 -- Rising interest rates predicted to slow northern housing activity in 2023

February 3 -- Landlords - damned if they do, damned it they don't 

February 1 -- Homeless camps and the courts (audio)

January

January 31 -- Northern Regional Construction Association hosting new 'Build the North' conference 

January 30 -- District of Port Edward puts land up for Disposition, with plans for sale to Pacific Aurora Construction Management Ltd. NCR

January 30 -- Ksan Society sees Terrace support coldest night of the year walk

January 26 -- New homes open for Witset First Nation Elders and families 

January 26 -- City of Prince Rupert puts out second call for housing developers, but projects would be dependent on Grant funding 

January 26 -- Housing for Independent Seniors on the way for Fort St. James, thanks to Fresh Provincial and Federal funding 

January 26 -- City of Prince Rupert outlines additional notes towards BC Bid call for expression of interest on twin housing proposals  NCR

January 25 -- Houston Association outlines community housing challenges

January 25 -- Housing numbers in Houston remain flat from 2021 to 2022

January 25 -- Housing Discussion on Renoviction themes points way forward ... to more discussion  NCR

January 25 -- Renoviction worries in Prince Rupert (audio)

January 24 -- $14 million supportive housing facility opens in Prince Rupert 

January 24 -- Renovations to former Prince Rupert Inn bring much needed supportive housing for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness 

January 24 -- Crane's Crossing gains Official Opening with ribbon cutting ceremony today  NCR

January 24 -- City of Prince Rupert Bid request looks to plan for potential Non-Market housing options in community  NCR

January 23 -- New home construction falls off in 2022

January 19 -- UBCM to host Housing Summit in April   NCR

January 18 -- Average house prices climb again in Houston 

January 18 -- Home sales fade as interest rates soared

January 17 -- Coachman Apartments update (video)

January 17 -- City cleans up downtown Terrace tent city

January 17 -- Money can't buy tenants new rental accommodation in Prince Rupert

January 17 -- Terrace City Staff complete clean-up of Temporary homeless encampment to address safety concerns

January 16 -- Province launching new permitting strategy to help with home construction 

January 16 -- City of Prince Rupert responds to advocate's claims bylaw does not protect tenants 

January 16 -- Prices up for single family homes in Terrace 

January 16 -- Renoviction issue looms large for City Council's January 23rd session NCR

January 15 -- New lease on life for evacuated Terrace tenants  

January 13 -- Province and Ottawa invest in new affordable on-reserve housing units for the Witset First Nation 

January 13 -- Developers plan 7 cabins of rezoned Port Edward properties 

January 13 -- 'Feeling like we're drowning': Tenants of rundown Terrace building fear for the future  

January 13 -- A bylaw intended to protect Prince Rupert renters from renoviction  is being put to the test  (audio)

January 12 -- BC launches $500 million fund to preserve rental unit supply 

January 12 -- Renovictions through the roof in Prince Rupert 

January 11 -- McConnell Crescent landslide lawsuit (video)

January 11 -- Houston home assessments climb by 15 per cent 

January 11 -- Temporary beds in Burns Lake set up for shelter 

January 11 -- Terrace landslide victims sue city and local developer 

January 10 -- Fourth Quarter results to year end, show significant drop in Prince Rupert Real Estate Volumes in 2022  NCR

January 9 -- Smithers property assessment values rise another 14 percent

January 9 -- Bulkley-Nechako region sees across the board in home sales in 2022

January 9 -- Housing Sales in Northern BC return to average levels in 2022, but prices remain elevated 

January 9 -- Seal Cove area apartment dwellers get notice of vacancy for spring 2023  NCR

January 6 -- Assessments climb by five per cent in greater Terrace area

January 5 -- North Coast residents see double digit increases in property assessment 

January 5 -- BC Homebuyers enter 2023 with new Protection Period legislation in place  NCR

January 4 -- Property Tax Relief (video)

January 4 -- Unfortunate death at new housing complex 

January 4 -- Housing, inflation top Houston mayor's look ahead list for 2023

January 4 -- BC Government outlines scope of Home Owner Grant program for 2023  NCR
January 3 -- Homeowner Grants to cover up to $1.045 for Northerners in 2023

January 3 -- Northern Property assessments continue to rise 
January 3 -- West side of Prince Rupert dominates again as House assessments from BC Assessments in the mail. Online option available now  NCR

Archive for 2022

Archive for 2021
Archive for 2020
Archive for 2019
Archive for 2018
Archive for 2017
Archive for 2016
Archive for 2015
Archive for 2014
Archive for 2013

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here