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Housing
Thousands of Thompson-Okanagan renters mired in affordable housing crisis, new index says
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - About a quarter of all renters in the Thompson-Okanagan are facing an affordable housing crisis, according to a new study. The new Canadian Rental Housing Index is an interactive map which offers a snapshot of rental housing conditions across the country. You can search by city or electoral area riding, and find the...
Vernon motel to become low-income housing complex
VERNON - The hunt for an affordable place to call home in Vernon just got a bit easier. The Journey Inn, the former Travelodge located behind the Fruit Union Plaza in downtown Vernon, was recently bought by B.C. Housing and will be operated as a low-income housing complex for people at risk of homelessness, the...
More evictions expected, more affordable housing likely lost in Vernon
NOWHERE TO GO VERNON - Not long after eviction notices were served to tenants of the Green Valley Motel, residents of another low-cost apartment building in Vernon are counting what they believe could be their final days. The Belair Apartments on 32 Street, just down the road from Boston Pizza, recently sold, and that’s left...
Rentals in Vernon more expensive and harder to find, report suggests
VERNON - It’s a harsher market in Vernon for those looking to rent and a community outreach worker says it’s even worse than the statistics suggest. The vacancy rate of available rental units dropped to 3.4 per cent in April 2015, down from 4.1 per cent the same time last year, according to the Canada...
One homeless man’s long road to finding affordable housing in Vernon
“I HAD TO ASK FOR HELP. IT WAS EITHER THAT, OR I’D STILL BE HOMELESS” VERNON - For the last 10 years, Roy You has lived on and off the streets. He travelled far from the Splatsin First Nation reserve where he grew up, searching for work in different places, never staying long. Many nights...
Vernon offers new grant program with hope of expanding limited rental housing options
VERNON - Building a new rental unit in Vernon? There’s a grant for that. To combat a shortage of rental housing in the city, Vernon council has introduced a new grant program to encourage development. Up to $4,000 per unit is now available for the construction of rental complexes. The city hasn't seen the construction...
Kelowna’s housing prices will continue to climb in 2015
KELOWNA – It’s going to continue to be a seller’s market in Kelowna over the next year as low interest rates combine with low inventory to drive prices up. According to RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook Report, the 2015 average residential sale price in Kelowna rose seven per cent over 2014. Although that is one per...
Residents protest duplex development with signs
PENTICTON - Residents of Churchill Avenue have erected signs in protest of the development of a double-duplex on their street — an issue that will be discussed during a public hearing and Penticton city council meeting next week. The property at 701 Churchill Ave. is being developed by local developer Schoenne Homes. The development requires...
Good luck finding a rental unit for under $645 in Vernon
VERNON - There aren’t many places you can rent in Vernon for $645. Only one residence could be found on Craigslist and Kijiji rental ads since June 1 for $645 or under. For that price, you don’t even get to see pictures of the interior. But why $645? It’s because a report released last week...
More development doesn’t mean more rentals
PENTICTON - A recent study shows there are fewer rental units in Penticton than there were at this time last year, but can the city’s development department keep up with a shrinking rental availability? Anthony Haddad, the city’s director of development services said he hasn't received a lot of proposals for apartment buildings lately. However,...
Vernon vacancy rates plummet
VERNON - It’s harder to find a place to rent in Vernon this year, and in some cases, more expensive to secure one. The spring 2014 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s spring rental market report is out and it says Vernon’s vacancy rate (percentage of available or unoccupied rental spaces) has plunged to 4.1 per cent...