Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. reveals pricey plan to slow housing crisis

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Apr, 2023 12:58 PM
  • B.C. reveals pricey plan to slow housing crisis

VICTORIA - 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 is in addition to the plan the NDP government introduced in 2018, that it says has built more than 74,000 homes towards a promise of 114,000 units over a decade.

The latest proposal focuses on building more townhomes, duplexes and triplexes through zoning changes, offering forgivable loans for homeowners to build and rent secondary suites at below market rates, and constructing thousands of homes for renters, Indigenous Peoples and students.

More homes will be built near public transit and the government will launch a plan to use public land for construction of affordable homes.

The government says it will bring in a flipping tax to discourage speculation, beef up enforcement of short-term rentals, and streamline and modernize the permit process to cut costs and speed up approvals.

“Actions in the plan also aim to build a housing market that puts people ahead of profit with measures to crack down on speculators and profiteers and get the proceeds of crime out of the real estate market,” the government says in a news release.

Reducing homelessness is a key part of the plan, with a proposal to add 3,900 new supportive housing units and 240 complex care spaces.

It will also include teams designed to quickly respond to encampments and support those who are living outdoors.

Some municipalities in B.C. still don't allow secondary suites, but the government says that will change.

"Starting later this year, legislation will be introduced to make secondary suites allowed in every community in the province. In addition, in early 2024, homeowners will be able to access a forgivable loan of 50 per cent of the cost of renovations, up to a maximum of $40,000 over five years," the government says.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Police need the public's help in a serious collision at the intersection of 176th Street and 80th Avenue

Police need the public's help in a serious collision at the intersection of 176th Street and 80th Avenue
On March 20, 2023 at 3:37 pm, police responded to a report of a collision at the intersection of 176 Street and 80 Avenue where one of the occupants was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The driver of second vehicle stayed on scene and is cooperative.

Police need the public's help in a serious collision at the intersection of 176th Street and 80th Avenue

Driver in custody after fleeing from police: Chilliwack RCMP

Driver in custody after fleeing from police: Chilliwack RCMP
The driver, Dane Nikolas Lee Miller was taken into custody and is facing charges of Flight from peace officer, Dangerous operation, Failure to stop after accident and Drive while prohibited.

Driver in custody after fleeing from police: Chilliwack RCMP

Multiple people pepper sprayed at a movie theatre in Guildford, Surrey on Saturday

Multiple people pepper sprayed at a movie theatre in Guildford, Surrey on Saturday
The incident occurred at 5:28 p.m. in theatre 6 where approximately 20-30 people, including children, were watching a movie. The male suspect entered the theater, sprayed viewers and fled the scene. 

Multiple people pepper sprayed at a movie theatre in Guildford, Surrey on Saturday

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SFU damaged in vandalism act: Burnaby RCMP

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SFU damaged in vandalism act: Burnaby RCMP
The Mounties were contacted around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, after someone noticed the statue had been vandalized, with the head having been removed. It is not yet known when the vandalism happened. It’s believed a power tool was likely used.    

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SFU damaged in vandalism act: Burnaby RCMP

Democrats, GOP spar over Canada-U.S. border

Democrats, GOP spar over Canada-U.S. border
In a subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill, House Republicans fanned the flames of an emerging fire-and-brimstone narrative about a "metastasizing crisis" of irregular migration along the world's longest international frontier.

Democrats, GOP spar over Canada-U.S. border

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending
To alleviate the pressure of rising grocery prices, the federal government has extended the GST rebate boost offered in the fall. The rebate, which will go to lower income Canadians, will deliver up to $234 to a single person and up to $467 to a couple with two children.

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending