National

B.C. funds 2,000 new affordable homes for renters in Metro Vancouver

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Mar, 2024 09:38 AM

Seventeen new housing projects are set to add nearly 2,000 new affordable homes for renters in Metro Vancouver through British Columbia's community housing fund.

Premier David Eby made the announcement at a construction site in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday, saying the latest intake of the Building BC Community Housing Fund will bring new homes to every region in the province.

British Columbians have been hit hard by the housing crisis, and even if you earn a decent income, finding a reasonable place to live is a challenge. Instead of helping people, the previous government chose to prioritize those at the top. We’re doing things differently.

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/NtsG23OLMX
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) March 20, 2024

The premier says the projects in Metro Vancouver range from town houses to multi-unit developments, providing homes for families, seniors, former youth in care and women fleeing violence.

Jill Atkey, the CEO of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, says the rental housing crisis touches every corner of the province and the latest 1,954 units will provide homes for thousands of people for generations to come.

The housing fund was established in 2018 with a target of providing more than 20,000 affordable rental homes by 2032 for those with moderate and low incomes.

More than 40 new projects have been approved so far, and officials say additional developments will be announced later this week on Vancouver Island, in the Interior and northern B.C.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. hospital admissions break record as respiratory illness season nears peak

British Columbia's health minister says hospitals are dealing with a record number of in-patients as the province's respiratory illness season nears its peak. Health Minister Adrian Dix told a briefing that 10,435 people were in hospital as of Tuesday night, the most the province has ever seen, and many have respiratory illnesses.

B.C. hospital admissions break record as respiratory illness season nears peak

Conservatives call for ethics probe into Justin Trudeau's free Jamaican holiday stay

Conservative MP and ethics critic Michael Barrett sent a letter to Konrad von Finckenstein on Tuesday asking whether he knew Trudeau was staying at a luxury estate owned by a family friend. Barrett says the vacation is "not the equivalent of staying at a friend's home" calling it instead a gift with commercial value.

Conservatives call for ethics probe into Justin Trudeau's free Jamaican holiday stay

People with private drug coverage more likely to stick to prescriptions: StatCan

A new Statistics Canada study confirms that financial limitations are keeping people without private or employer-sponsored drug coverage from following through with their prescriptions. It's true for both those who have no coverage at all but also people who have some coverage through provincial or existing federal prescription programs.

People with private drug coverage more likely to stick to prescriptions: StatCan

Dr. Bonnie Henry to give update on flu season

B-C provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is scheduled to provide an update this afternoon on the province's respiratory illness season. It's Henry's first update of 2024 and she'll be joined by Health Minister Adrian Dix.

Dr. Bonnie Henry to give update on flu season

Environment Canada warns parts of northern B.C. that -50 C wind chill could be coming

Environment Canada is warning parts of northern British Columbia to expect wind chill values as cold as -50 C for at least the rest of the week. An extreme cold warning issued for the Peace River region says an arctic ridge over the province means temperatures will remain between -30 and -40 C until Sunday.

Environment Canada warns parts of northern B.C. that -50 C wind chill could be coming

Vancouver police say jaywalking pedestrian pulled gun, started shooting at driver

A man has been arrested after a near-collision in Vancouver resulted in a pedestrian pulling out a gun and shooting at a driver. Police say the shooting happened Saturday on Commercial Drive near E. 12th Avenue. They say a motorist stopped abruptly to avoid hitting a jaywalker, and the two exchanged words.